Military child refers to any individual, from birth through adulthood, who has or had a parent or legal guardian serving in the active uniformed services of the United States, including active-duty members, veterans, and members of the National Guard and Reserve.

 

This includes children currently enrolled in kindergarten through grade 12, as well as those who were born to, adopted by, or raised by service members, regardless of the parent’s current military status. The term also encompasses “military brats,” adults who may feel disconnected but still identify with their military upbringing, children of deceased service members, children of retired service members, children of separated or divorced service members, children of disabled veterans, military stepchildren, and military foster children.