Growing up in a military household, I progressively learned that my everyday world was not like everyone else’s.  Somewhere around first or second grade I realized that everybody’s dad didn’t wear a uniform to work.  It was in the third or fourth grade when I realized what my dad did for a living could be considered “dangerous” when he was in the Middle East for six months.  Well, his job wasn’t dangerous, just the work environment.  There are a few things about my childhood that I considered normal and common place until I moved away from home and went to college.

I had no idea how expensive healthcare was.  Growing up, I didn’t know people had to pay to see a doctor.  I didn’t know that prescription drugs weren’t free.  I didn’t know what health insurance was.  We got sick, we’d go to the hospital or clinic and see a doctor.  Consequently, I never thought doctors were rich or “just in it for the money”.  I think this is what I miss the most.

I didn’t know that most Americans never leave the country, seldom leave their state, and some never even leave their county or hometown.  I heard a story of an 8th grader in Nacogdoches that cried when he saw the beach in Galveston on a school field trip.  He had never seen a beach or the ocean which was only 4 hours away.  In the 8th grade I was anxious to get back to the states to watch commercials (four years without seeing a real commercial) and to see a store that was open 24 hours.

I didn’t know that your salary (or your parent’s salary) is not something you’re suppose to talk about.  I had no idea that you can get fired for discussing your salary in some places.  Growing up, if we knew what your dad’s rank was, then we knew about how much he made.  If your dad was an officer, then we knew you were “rich” haha.  For the most part, we were all middle class.

I thought bi-racial families were normal.  I didn’t realize how segregated we still are as a country.  Growing up, people would try to guess what my ethnicity was and most could guess correctly.  I remember being asked “What are you?” somewhere around my freshman year of college.  I have since learned that this means “Excuse me, what is your ethnic background?”

I wouldn’t say that I love the military, but I do understand it.  Nevermind, I will say that I love the military — it is a part of who I am.  Maybe that’s why I can’t seem to resist the idea of becoming an Army Chaplain…