“I Serve 2”: Meeting the needs of military children in civilian practice

Health and Mental Health Needs of Children in US Military Families

“…5 Approximately 58% of the 2.2 million members serving on active duty and the National Guard and Reserve have families, and 40% have at least 2 children. 1,3 There are an estimated 1.7 million children of active duty and reserve military personnel, of whom 37.8% are 0 to 5 years of age, 31.6% are 6 to 11 years of age, and 23.8% are 12 to 18 years of age. 5 When including active duty personnel, reserve personnel, and veterans, it is estimated that there are 4 million children who are military connected, with the largest group age ≤5 years.…”

“…12 Conversely, military children may feel heightened pressure to conform, behave, and wear their parent's military rank. 1 Davis et al 2 reported that early research portrayed the military family as authoritarian with children who were behaviorally challenged; however, subsequent research has revealed no psychosocial differences from nonmilitary families. Padden and Agazio 13 described 4 major stressors for military children: relocation, family separation, adaptation to danger, and a unique military culture.…”

“…7,10,16 Military children may experience a move every 2 to 4 years and can transition between schools up to 9 times by the age of 18 years. 1,17 Because of the frequent mobility, there is often a lack of continuity of health care 1 and limited employment opportunities for nonmilitary spouses. 10 In a large population study of military youth, there were increased mental health encounters if a geographic move occurred in the past year.…”

“…Although children of reservists are typically geographically more stable than their active duty counterparts, they often live in nonmilitary communities without resources or knowledge specific to the military. 1 They may feel isolated from the community, 10 and services may not be as readily available. 2 Veteran families may also feel isolated and have challenges when transitioning to civilian communities, 10 where familiar military programs may not exist and there may no longer be access to many of the benefits that were associated with active duty service.…”

“…Research has found that more than 2 million children of military families have had a parent deployed since 2001. 1 Service members may be deployed to areas throughout the world in support of combat operations or peacekeeping missions for periods ranging from several weeks to more than a year. During this time, family members often remain at home to adapt to life without the military service member or temporarily move to areas where they may have support from extended family members.…”