Sunday, November 13, 2011

Interview with Presidential Candidate Newt Gingrich about His Childhood in an Army Family

Excerpts of the Interview with Presidential Candidate Newt Gingrich
by Military Family Expert and author, Julie Rahm as printed in the book Military Kids Speak
Military Kids Speak is available everywhere books are sold.
Find out more at http://www.militarykidsspeak.com/.
Get your copy at Amazon.com (click here)!


Your father was in the Army. Who else was in your family growing up?

My mother married my biological father Newt McPherson who served in the Navy in World War II. And then they got divorced and she remarried to my stepfather Bob Gingrich, who was career Army. On my original biological father’s side, I have a half-brother, Randy, and a half-sister named Kathy. And on the other side, I have three half-sisters, Susan, Robbie and Candace. Candace wasn’t born until 1967, so she came late. Growing up, I spent most of my time with my mother and my stepfather and my two sisters on that side.

Which place was your favorite to live and why?

I think OrlĂ©ans, France, was the most exotic. We left Pennsylvania when I was 10 years old. And I liked Pennsylvania. We had relatives in the mountains just below State College. We would go up and stay there during the summer and go looking for deer. It was fun. I felt a little bit like the way somebody once described Theodore Roosevelt, as a man who could get excited discovering rocks on a beach and who each morning thought he had rediscovered the Ten Commandments. There’s this sense of life bubbling. I was always struck by a cornerstone on a bank building at Fort Riley that read, “Site of the Northernmost Comanche Raid in 1855.” For a young kid from Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, to be in the middle of the west looking out over that flat space and wondering what it would have been like in 1855 to see 50 or 60 or 70 Comanche Indians, I had the sense of “Wow. This was real.”

I had the same feeling in Harrisburg. We had buttons and other things from Gettysburg where one of my grandfathers had served. And Gettysburg was right down the road. That’s where my father had gone to college. So I had the sense of things being real. Orleans was the most interesting in the sense that my dad was too low in rank to live in Army housing. So we lived in a beautiful little town by a river about 18 miles west of Orleans toward the sea. We were there when the U.S. dollar was very strong. We were able to rent a fabulous small chateau where we got the first two floors. It had a walled-in garden of five acres. They had a gardener and a maid who lived on the site and took care of everything. And here we were, little American kids running around thinking, “Wow. This is cool!” I remember one of the great moments was going to the French fairs with dirt streets. Western string ties were in style. So we would go to the Post Exchange and buy as many string ties as we could. And we would take them to the fair and trade them for bottles of Champagne. We were only 12 or 13 years old and there were no drinking laws in France. We thought we were pretty big kids.

Was it easy for you to make new friends?

I guess so. My dad was a very tough infantryman. He believed in pretty tough and straightforward rules. On my biological father’s side, my father and my favorite uncle (who helped raise me) were also very tough people. And so, all of them basically had this very stoic attitude of you get to a new place you meet new people. What a great adventure. Quit whining. There was zero sympathy for “oh, I hate leaving these folks.” I suspect at one level, I hated leaving people. But I lived in this huge extended family, so my basic attitude was there was always someone I could go to who would either bake me a sugar pie or I could talk them into taking me to a zoo. So I kept on with the same attitude as I had in Fort Riley, wondering what would happen next, wondering who I would meet. It led to a very different life. I sometimes compare notes with my wife whose oldest friend goes back to the crying room at the church at two or three years of age. So they really know each other. I had the double tragedy that my two best friends from high school both died of cancer at very early ages. But I have an enormous range of friends and some very close friends. It is different, though, when you live in a world where either you’re about to move or they’re about to move, or somebody new is about to show up, or you’re about to show up. You do learn a whole different set of skills about how you meet people. With the rise of Facebook, you probably have a better chance of keeping up with a lot of people now. I wasn’t good at that at the time. I was too busy focused on the next great adventure.

How do you think being a military kid built your character?

Being an infantryman’s son, I learned a lot of stoicism. I learned a work ethic. I learned a lot of sense of endurance. I learned that if you’re in the infantry, you have the notion that you’ll end up somewhere where nobody knows where you are and nobody remembers why they sent you there, you’re out of ammunition, and it’s about to be a bad morning. And that’s what you sign up for.

I remember I was with General Burba when we were mobilizing and training the 48th Brigade. We were down in Fort Stewart. I was a Congressman. Part of the Brigade came from my district. It was a National Guard unit. We ran across a bunch of guys who had been marching all day. They were in the rain and it was fairly chilly. They were supposed to meet the wagon that had the food and hot drinks. And the wagon wasn’t there. And it hadn’t been there for three hours. They were standing there in the rain and I felt like that was the Army. I understood it. The reason you try to have overwhelming power is that things get messed up all of the time. Now, with modern GPS and equipment, it’s better. But things still get messed up. Look at the complexity of responding to help Haiti after the earthquake. It looks really simple until you try to do it.

I came out of that kind of background. Fort Riley was particularly important in that regard. Our neighbor was part of the aggressor squadron. Those were the guys whose job it was to pretend to be the enemy and to keep the American troops training at a very high tempo. This was in the 1950s, so these were the guys who had fought in World War II and Korea. So they had been in really big wars and really tough situations. They wanted to prepare other troops for that kind of tension and stress. And they would let me go out with them on certain occasions to see what they did and how they did it. At one point, there was a film group called The Big Picture that was an Army TV show. They were there to film camouflage and other things. And they said “Why don’t you come out and spend the day with us?” For a little kid, this was fabulous. I got to wander around and watch the cameraman and watch the director. I got to learn about camouflage. So the result is that nothing has surprised me in the political world. Mao Tse Tung once said that “War is politics with blood. Politics is war without blood.” I think that being an infantryman’s son is a pretty good background for what I’ve done in the rest of my life.

What motto do you live by that relates to or might inspire other military kids?

West Point—Duty, honor, country. I think that’s a very important concept. And listening to the words of the Pledge of Allegiance and the Star-Spangled Banner, and remembering the phrase “land of the free and home of the brave” is really important to remember, and for kids to realize that their parents are doing something very different than almost anybody else. My father was literally prepared to give his life for 27 years, and thought that it was essential that somebody be prepared to do that. So I would say first of all, that young people be instilled with a sense of pride for what their parents are doing. That they should look around and appreciate the level of dedication, discipline, and sacrifice they see in their community. And, to some extent, carry that pride with them out into the civilian world. And, recognize that it would be nice in some ways if America was a little more like the pride, discipline, and commitment we get out of people that volunteer for the military.


Read more of the interview with Newt Gingrich in Military Kids Speak - available at http://militarykidsspeak.com/ and Amazon.com.

Sunday, August 21, 2011

Marine Kid Emily Sanborn on the Mindset Mechanic Show talking about moving to Germany and making new friends

14-year old Military Kid, Emily Sanborn was my guest on The Mindset Mechanic Show. She talked about moving from North Carolina to Germany, what she wished she had packed in the express shipment, and how she makes new friends quickly. Listen via the link below!

Hear Marine Kid Emily Sanborn talk about moving to Germany and making new friends

Tuesday, August 9, 2011

Moving, Making Friends, and Adjusting to New Schools

Summer is the moving season for military families. So we brought in an expert to talk about how to do well when you're a military kids who has one more opportunity to move again, make new friends again, and adjust to a new school again. Hear Tori Baker's interview on The Mindset Mechanic Show by clicking on the link below!

If you're a military kid who would like to share your wisdom to help other military kids by being interviewed on the radio, send an e-mail to Julie@militarykidsspeak.com. Include your name, age, where you live, e-mail address, and telephone number.

Tori Baker, a 13-year-old Navy Kid who has moved 8-9 times talks about moving and making friends on The Mindset Mechanic Show

Saturday, July 16, 2011

Art from My Heart -- Healing through Art

This week on The Mindset Mechanic Show I interviewed 12-year-old Army kid, Hunter Moran. Hunter is doing a community service project through which military families and wounded warriors can heal together. Military kids from around the globe are invited to create a piece of art and send it to Hunter. Hunter will display the art projects in an art show at Fort Huachuca, AZ in September. Then, the art pieces will be donated to the wounded warrior program so that when someone donates money to the program they get a work of art done by a military kid as thanks.

Listen to Hunter's interview here:
12-Year-Old Army Kid Hunter Moran on The Mindset Mechanic Show

For more information about where military kids may submit their art projects, visit http://militaryfamiliesconnect.com/.

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Military Family Making the Most of Military Life

This week I had the honor and the pleasure of interviewing 14-year-old Army Kid, Gavin Moran and his mom, Crissy Moran. You may remember Gavin, because his teddy bear drive for kids of deployed service members gained national media attention. Most recently, because of his level of emotional resiliency, he was chosen to represent all military kids in Washington, D.C. for Mental Health Day. Gavin was drafted into an Army family at birth and continues to live the military lifestyle in his Army family.

Listen to the interview from The Mindset Mechanic Show by clicking on the link below. Gavin speaks candidly about being in the school lockdown at Fort Hood during the shooting rampage, about fears and emotions that come standard with military life, and about what's great in his life.

Interview with Gavin and Crissy Moran


Check out The Mindset Mechanic every week at http://Mindset20.com/radio-show.php.

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Deployment Emotions - By Lauren, Age 7

Seven year old Lauren drew this picture after saying goodbye to her father who was leaving on another deployment. The picture sums up what kids in military families face and how they feel. Thanks to her mom, Jennifer, for sharing this picture!

Thursday, May 26, 2011

The Loss of Innocent People - A Poem for Memorial Day, By Greta Kinsey, 6th Grade

By Greta Kinsey, US Navy Dependent

The children bid good-bye
To their father on this day
He boards a plane to the war
Where it’s all work and no play

The letters that are passed
Back and forth in the mail
Are reassuring and happy
The kids know their dad won’t fail

Father time drags his feet
The air is filled with wishes
Of the father coming home
With a package of hugs and kisses

Suspense is in the air
Until one month is left
There’s a sigh of relief
From all the hope they’ve kept

With only three weeks left
What cannot happen does
The father cannot come back
And there is connection loss in love

The family weeps and cries
For mornings, days and nights
The accident is dreadful
Like someone turned out the light

The sadness is a heavy burden
No smiles show for several years
Frowns are shown to everything
And the nights are always filled with tears

Still, the family needs support
This family that's so fine
They'll forever and always be
Strong, after all this time

Written as a gift to the family of a fallen service member. Memorial Day 2010

Saturday, May 7, 2011

Making Friends, By John Murphy, Age 10

I make friends all the time. But I am in a military community and my friends have to move away a lot because their parents are in the military. Sometimes I have friends that can stay for awhile, but they eventually have to go. Having friends in a military community is interesting sometimes because everyone is from a different place. You can learn about many places because your friends tell you. Sometimes making friends is hard because everyone is moving around. The people who I want to be friends with usually move very quickly and I cannot be friends with them. I still have many friends that probably will not move for a long time, but I also have friends that have to leave soon. I make new friends everywhere on the island in parks, school, and other places. I also make friends with Japanese kids on the island. I make many friends at school because there are many kids there. Making friends is fun. You can play more if you have more friends.

Sometimes having your friends move can be tough. I have had many friends move and it was hard to say good-bye. One good thing about having friends in a military community is that many new people come, so I can make many new friends. I have many friends that have left, but they may come back. I will be very happy when they come back. Once I had a friend that left and I did not even know! It made me very sad when I found out. I made a friend once and we were friends since kindergarten and we are still friends now.

Another time, I had a friend and we were friends for less than a month before he had to move. I also had other friends that stayed here for a short time before leaving and friends that may stay here for a long time. One of the best parts about living in a military community is that you make many new friends even if they do not stay here for a very long time.

If you have a lot of friends, you will not be bored all the time because you will have a lot of friends to play with. Okinawa is the perfect place to make friends because there are so many places to play. You can play in the parks, school, and other places.

Sometimes making friends is hard because you do not know if everyone will be friends with you. But most of the time, it is easy because everyone is friendly. Most people that come here stay for two or three years, so I can be friends with them for a while before they have to leave. I wish they did not have to leave because I would be sad if they did leave.

The friends I have are very good friends. Having friends leave is a bad part about living in a military community. It is very hard to say good-bye because you may never see that person again. I have had friends that have left and I will probably never see again. I also have friends that will stay here for a very long time. So I may get many new friends, but my old friends may have to leave. Right now I have a lot of friends and most of them will not leave soon. I do not know when they will leave, but I am sure it is not soon. Now, not too many of my friends are leaving the island.

I am still very sad about a lot of my friends leaving to different parts of the world, but I am happy that I can make new friends all the time. I have made many new friends this year. I have also lost a couple of friends this year. I made the most friends in first grade because it was a new school and a lot of other people were new, too. In second grade, I make a couple of friends because a lot of people in that school were not new to that school and I did not know anybody. Making friends in a military community can be hard or easy, but overall it is easy and fun even if some of your friends have to leave sometimes.

Saturday, April 30, 2011

Living in a Military Family – Making Friends, By Tajiana Beard, Age 11

It was the end of the 2008 calendar and the middle of the school year. I was in a new community and felt scared walking into my new class. I knew nobody and had no friends. I kept telling myself not to be scared and that it will be okay. As the day went on, I made more friends and I wasn’t nervous anymore. I ended up having a nice teacher and great friends. I might have had a great school, but I just didn’t feel safe at home. I liked the house, but for some reason, at night time I just couldn’t sleep. I think it’s because I didn’t feel safe. I was just so used to my old house and my old room. For a while, I hardly slept at all. Sometimes I would just sleep on the couch.

Living in a new house wasn’t the worst challenge. The hardest thing was getting to know the people in my neighborhood. At first, everyone was staring at me and I could hear people giggle at me when I walked by. Now, I have lots of friends. I actually made friends really fast, but I was just so scared. I usually am not shy, but I didn’t know anybody. I started playing outside a lot and made lots of friends. I was still the new girl at school and everybody stared at me. I wanted to move back to my old school where everybody knew me.

This year, I had a new girl in my class. She was really quiet and I knew she felt like I had last year, so I started to talk to her. Her name is Payton, and now she’s one of my friends. When I met her, I knew I wasn’t the only one who has been the new girl who knew nobody.

Right now, everything’s fine with me. For example, I have lots of friends. However, when I move again, all of this is going to start all over. I do love moving, but I hate leaving my school because I usually leave in the middle of the school year. I totally hate the thought of leaving my friends because I will miss them so much. There is one thing that is good about moving. The good thing for me is getting to see all the different cultures because they’re so cool and different and unique. Right now, I live in Japan and I love it. It is so beautiful, especially the seawall, because the waves are so cool. I love swimming in the ocean because it feels so good. The hiking trails are so beautiful, too, because of the awesome view. This is the first country out of the United States that I have ever lived in and that I have ever even visited. It’s kind of weird that it’s the only country that I have been to because I am in a military family.


I love it in Japan, but I miss my family and friends back home so much. I still talk to my friends in Texas and my family in Nebraska almost every day. I either email them or I call them on my Vonage phone (that I love). They always ask me when I am coming back to Texas and I always have to tell them “not for a very long time.” It was really hard on me to leave all of my friends behind. I have lots of friends here, but I will always remember my friends in Texas and they will always have a special place in my heart and mind. When I move away from Okinawa, I will make sure to stay in touch with my friends because I want to remember them just like I remember my friends from Texas.

When I first moved here, the only place I really found to make friends was at the Kadena Youth Center. Most people were really nice there and I always had fun. I joined clubs and helped the community by picking up trash and by doing lots of different other things. Almost everyday after school, I would walk to the Youth Center with my friends and sometimes we would stop by the Non-Commissioned Officers’ Club on the way and get a snack. I really love going to the Youth Center because I could have fun and hang out with my friends. It was also great because my mom couldn’t pick me up after school, so I had somewhere to go and I didn’t have to be home alone.

Being in a Military family can be really hard, but when you have friends, it makes it way better. If I didn’t have friends, I don’t know what I would do. I am going to have to leave my friends, but I know that when I move again, there will be new people there, and most of all, there will be new friends and a chance to make many new memories.

Friday, April 22, 2011

Military Friends: An Awesome Idea, By Casey Naillon, Age 13

Friends are an interesting topic to talk about. Moving with them is even more interesting. When you are moving, and knowing your friends will be there, it is exciting. It creates a feeling of happiness to know that there is someone you know to help you with the difficulty of being in a new place. Being around new people and adapting to new friends is what old friends help you cope with, and your friend will help you make friends, assuming they already have some. All the troubles of being a new kid and making new friends are what I will talk about in this essay.
The first problem with friends is losing them. Friends are like family, and losing family is a heartbreaking experience. The thought of losing them is enough to make you cry and beg to not leave, or threaten to handcuff your friend to you so they have to come with you. Actually, leaving them will make you hate your parents and just makes you feel miserable. There is a way to feel better though. Keep in touch by email or writing letters. Do activities to take your mind off them. Or just make some new friends. Any way you choose to do it, your heart will slowly heal if you allow it.


The hard part of friends is making them. If your personality is not to the standards of certain people, your options will be limited. You must be able to pick certain people that you can trust and will not pull you down. They must be able to appreciate your strengths and weaknesses, and be able to accept your personality, no matter what it is like. For example, you might be crazy or smart. Other people might criticize you for being with certain people because of the way they act and what they wear, but you learn to stand up for who you hang out with, no matter what anybody says.

Even with good friendships comes trouble. Fights over who should stay and who should go. Arguments over what you are wearing and who you like are everyday things. It’s what makes us humans, but there is a way to lessen the fights. If people are mad at you, find a way to make it up, like apologizing or getting them something, if it’s someone special. Tell your friends that certain things don’t have to mess up your friendship, like clothing or boyfriends. If that doesn’t work, those aren’t the right friends for you so go find another one.

Having friends in the military has its perks. One thing is that you can learn different things about where people have gone. Like you have a friend that has lived in Canada, so they can tell you all the customs and ideas they have if you’re moving there. When you have friends in the military, you can meet new people. If you meet someone and they have a different background, you could have an easier time being friends with them because they are different and special.

Friends can have a friendly influence on all your actions. For example, if you have good friends, they will lead you away from all drugs and keep you safe because they care and their parents have taught them what is right and what is wrong. Also, having friends can affect your grades. They affect your grades by tutoring you in different subjects, even though you think you know it. Having military friends is a bit different though. When you have military friends, you can learn different military ideas and thoughts of others being in the military just by having good military friends. Of course, all good things have some bad points.

All friends have different influences on you. A not so nice one is negative. A negative influence by your friends is peer pressure to do something that will cause you bodily harm. Take smoking for example. A bad friend will want to cause you harm by persuading you to smoke, or under-age drink. Military friends can also act like that. Don’t listen to them. Those people aren’t bad, just misinformed.

Some friend points are good, others are bad. That’s life, but you can help make friendships stronger. Stand up to those unfriendly people and offer to be their friend, and say you’ll be there when they need someone to talk to. Military friends are easy to talk to because they have experience with what you are going through and are understanding. That’s what friends do for each other. They are honest with each other and listen. All these points about friends, like moving with friends, losing friends, making friends, troubles with friends, perks of military friends, and positives and negative influences is what makes all military kids glad that they are in military families and get to be awesome military friends.

Friday, April 8, 2011

April is the Month of the Military Child - Hear from Shaquille O'Neal about his Military Childhood

In Shaq’s Words


Military Kids Speak: Your stepfather was in the Army. Who else was in your family growing up?

Shaq: My mom, one brother and four sisters. I was in the middle.


Military Kids Speak: Where did you live growing up?

Shaq: We lived in New Jersey, Georgia, West Germany, and Texas.


Military Kids Speak: Which place was your favorite and why?

Shaq: Wildflecken, West Germany, was my favorite. I liked adapting to the German culture, especially the food. There was a place called “The Shack” that served bratwurst, bread, and French fries that were my favorite things to eat. I worked mowing lawns or doing whatever I could to get five dollars so I could go to “The Shack” and eat bratwurst, bread, and French fries.

Military Kids Speak: Was it easy making new friends when you moved to a new place? If yes, what did you do that made it go well?

Shaq: Yes. It was hard for me to leave my friends each time we moved. It would be easier to maintain friendships now with technology like Facebook. We used to write letters to each other. But two guys writing to each other wasn’t cool, so that never lasted very long.

Military Kids Speak: How did you feel about the military lifestyle—deploying, relocating, making friends?

Shaq: It was fun. We got to move every four years. It prepared me for my professional basketball career.


Military Kids Speak: How do you think being a military kid built your character?

Shaq: It taught me discipline, honor, respect, and responsibility. It taught me how to deal with all kinds of people. I met my stepfather when I was two years old, and left home at age 18. Those were the most influential 16 years of my life. My stepfather raised me to be a man with a drill sergeant lifestyle. I am the military. I owe everything to my military upbringing. It made me the man and the athlete I am today.

Military Kids Speak: By what motto do you live that relates to or might inspire other military kids?

Shaq: Be leaders and not followers. Follow your dreams. Work hard. I practiced in the parks in Texas all the time, even in 110-degree temperatures and in the rain. I used to get dogged out by other kids for being so tall and not playing basketball well. I had a choice. I could have given up, but I chose to work harder. It built my character.

Military Kids Speak: What was the hardest challenge you had as a military kid and how did you handle it?

Shaq: I can’t think of any big challenges. I got a job at McDonald’s when I was young. My dad gave me the choice of babysitting for my younger brother and sisters or getting a job. Our mom had a job to help make ends meet. Even though I worked at McDonald’s, I still helped take care of my brother and sisters, being responsible for them and protecting them from bullies. I helped with chores like cleaning the house and cutting the grass, too.


Military Kids Speak: What did you learn as a military child that helped you become a superstar athlete?

Shaq: I learned how to be humble. Here’s a true story. When I was in high school, I was the first guy ever to get his name in the newspaper for a basketball game. I acted like I was God. Then, as I walked down the halls in school, everyone moved to the other side of the hall. When I sat down at a table to eat lunch, everyone moved away from me. I finally asked my friend what was going on. He said, “You’re too good for us now. But just remember. You can’t pass the ball to yourself, and you can’t make those big plays alone.”

Military Kids Speak: If you could tell military kids just one thing what would it be?

Shaq: Enjoy the experience. Take advantage of all of the opportunities you have being in a military family. Enjoy learning to deal with all kinds of people from every religion, race, and culture. All of the activities kept me out of trouble.

Read more from Shaquille O’Neal in Military Kids Speak. Essays by military kids and interviews with celebrity military kids like Shaquille O’Neal can be found in Military Kids Speak, http://www.MilitaryKidsSpeak.com. Proceeds from sales of Military Kids Speak go to programs for military kids.

Saturday, March 26, 2011

My Life as a Military Kid, By Kaylee Holland, Age 12


My life as a military kid has been difficult. Ever since I can remember, our family has been moving around the world. One of the hardest difficulties has been making new friends at a new base. My cousins live in Hastings, Nebraska, and have since they were three years old. They don't have the same challenges as a military kid does at meeting new friends.

Although it has been a hard life, it has been an adventurous life as well. Here are some of the experiences I have been through as a military kid. When I was a baby about two years old, my parents and I were stationed in Korea. While we were there, I was a model for Elle magazine and I made the cover of the magazine. My cousins will never have that opportunity of modeling in Korea. That is just one opportunity that military kids have.

Now let me take you on some of my experiences at Ellsworth Air Force Base, South Dakota. My other cousins also lived in South Dakota, so they had the opportunity to go to the same school since their mom is in the military. Avery, the youngest of the cousins, was in the same grade as me, so she was in my preschool classroom. We lived in South Dakota for four years. While I was in South Dakota, I met a girl named Maddie Sinks. She is still one of my good friends today. From that I have learned that when I move from base to base, I am able to keep in contact with all of my good friends.

Our next journey is to a wonderful place called Whiteman Air Force Base Missouri. Missouri has been my most favorite base I have been to, since that was where my brother and I were born. We lived in Missouri for almost six years. While we were there we found out that my dad had to deploy to Iraq. Our family was devastated because we were not going to see him for about four months. Imagine having one of your family members not there to tuck you in at night or to be there to help you out of your problems that the other parent does not understand. It is the worst feeling a military kid could have. While he was away, my mom and I talked to him on the phone and on the webcam, but it was not the same as talking to him one on one. Before my dad left, we found out that my mom was pregnant with a baby boy. We were all excited, especially me, because I was an only child for nine years. Four months later, my mom and I went to get my dad from the airport. That was the best feeling knowing that my dad was home safe and sound. Thank goodness that he wasn't hurt or injured. On account of my dad's deployment, I am more responsible because I had to take care of my mom. I had to make sure she had healthy food and that she got enough exercise.

Not too long after my dad got back from Iraq, we got orders to Sigonella, Italy. I will never forget the day that all of the movers came to pack up all our stuff. We were all nervous and sad to leave all of our family and friends and move across the world. It took us two days when we missed our plane and lost our entire luggage in Chicago. Then finally, we got to Italy. When I first got to Italy, it was very different culture. I came from homemade fried chicken to pizza and pastas. When I got here, it was the summer of 2009. I tried to get involved in some activities here so I could meet some friends before school started in September. When school finally started, I was nervous because I only knew about seven people. Being a military kid is very difficult sometimes, but it has its advantages too, like not very many people get to say they have lived in Italy. All of my life I have lived on a base surrounded by a fence and a lot of gate guards. When my dad retires, I will no longer be a military kid, but I can say I once was a military kid that lived all around the world.

About Kaylee Holland

Kaylee Holland was born in Warrensburg, Missouri, on a Saturday. She is currently living in Sigonella, Italy and her father is in the United States Air Force. Kaylee has moved all around the world her whole life. She has two wonderful parents that love her dearly. She also has a cute baby brother who is two years old. She was an only child for nine years, but is now thankful to have a brother.

Kaylee is twelve years old and in the sixth grade. She has lived in Italy for seven months, but can't wait to move back to the USA. Kaylee has great friends and will be sad to leave them in three years. She is a very strong Christian and serves the Lord with all her heart. She goes to youth group every Wednesday night and learns more about His word.

Kaylee has always been tall for her age. That has helped her in sports and in other activities. Some of her favorite things to do are hanging out with her family, reading good books, and running track. Kaylee won her first track meet at the age of seven. She continued to be in the yearly track meets where she took first in every event that she competed in. She is praying that someday she will be in the track Olympics and win many gold metals.

Friday, March 18, 2011

My Rollercoaster Ride, By Junavy Frianeza, Age 11

My life as a military child so far has been complicated, but at the same time rewarding. When I go to new places and new schools, I always have to adjust and make new friends. I have to learn new things that might be hard or easy for me.

Whenever I move into a new place, I start to feel shy. Being in new classrooms always makes me nervous. Coming to a new school can mean that I don't know what to expect. After a while, though, I'm not “the new kid” and I get used to my new school. I start to “blend in” and I can become myself. Sharing jokes with my classmates starts to become easier. It can be challenging, but in the end I start to like where I am.

Moving around all over the world can be hard, and I have to sacrifice a lot to move to another place. But some advantages to being a military child are that I learn how to adjust to different environments and make new friends. As I go all around the world, I can experience what it's like to be in different places. I've lived in Japan, Europe, and Washington State. Moving and getting used to these different cultures has been painstaking. Coming to a new place usually means learning a new language, getting used to different kinds of weather, and tasting new foods. After a while, it can be fun to live in different places because I get to discover and learn new things.

Some kids from the States might not have learned and experienced as much as I have. Adjusting to new places, fitting into a new school and dealing with being the “new girl” are things that I have learned. I have probably been to many more places than any “normal” person in the States. As a little girl, I have been to Tokyo Disneyland a couple of times. Now, in Italy, I have seen the ancient ruins in Rome.

Part of being in a military family is learning how to sacrifice things that are important to you. A few of the many things I have experienced that are hard for me are leaving friends and places I love. Even from when I was just a little kid, I can still remember the friends I have had. Although it is hard moving around, I still talk and visit some friends from when I was only three years old. I have met friends that like to joke around, friends that understand my problems, and friends that cheer me up in their own, extraordinary ways.

As a military child, I have taught myself to be independent and help myself reach my goals. There have been many situations when I failed, but that never stopped me from trying again. I have the support of my family and friends to help me and they have always encouraged me in everything I do.

My life as a military child is like a rollercoaster. If I'm feeling really sad, my rollercoaster is spiraling downward. But when I'm really happy, my “rollercoaster” of a life is flying upward and I feel like nothing can bring me down.

Because of my experience of adjusting and moving around, I know that I'm probably more mature than other people in the U.S. because I have learned to deal with all the obstacles so far in my life. My life has come with its drawbacks, successes, failures, and achievements. I have been taught to deal with all of those things, and I know that is what makes me a true military child.



About Junavy Frianeza

How could you describe this military girl? You would start with the fact that Junavy Frianeza has a creative mind. She likes to sit in her room and listen to music depending on her mood. Junavy might listen to rock music, pop music, or even country music if she wants to.

Reading is one of Junavy's favorite things to do. This bookworm reads from all kinds of genres whether it be fantasy, adventure, science fiction, even nonfiction, which she tends to stay away from. Her favorite books of all time, so far, would have to be the Twilight Saga by Stephenie Meyer, which she has re-read a couple times. This imaginative girl can sometimes be spotted inventing her own random story.

She has lived in Japan, Washington State, and currently lives in Sigonella, Italy. Junavy goes to school at Sigonella MS/HS as a seventh grader and likes hanging out with her friends. She also likes ... chocolate! When Junavy grows up, she plans to make a difference in the world, like her dad, and be in the Navy.

Friday, March 11, 2011

Military Child, By Beatrice Greeson, Age 12

As a military child, I believe I have a broader perspective than most children my age. Here in Europe, I've been to many places including Paris, Rome, London, and Venice. I've had experiences that many other kids won't have for a while or might never have; such as seeing Da Vinci's Mona Lisa in person or applying the Italian learned in school and using it the next day in the boisterous food markets to buy fish, bread, and fruit. There are many benefits to being a Navy kid, and some of these benefits are that we are all very close and our experiences prepare us to be successful in the world. Being a military child is hard sometimes, but it has made me a better person.

Naturally, I'm an introvert. I'm usually only my talkative self when I'm around people I know really well. At the Naval base in Sicily, Italy—where I live now—one third of the population moves per year. This means I meet loads of people. It makes me have to work really hard at being more outgoing. Ever since second grade, I have wanted to be a political leader of some kind. Being outgoing is definitely a trait that a politician—or leader of any kind—should have. I try to be a leader in as many ways as I can; at school, in swim team, and during church. I think this helps prepare me to be a leader because as a leader, whether you are the President of the United States or a Red Cross volunteer, you will probably have to go outside of your comfort zone.

Take former Secretary of State Madeline Albright as an example. She learned how to hold onto herself even when she was uncomfortable. That is a very important quality in a leader. Leaders should not be phony, but themselves, or as much as themselves they can be in public.

Being in a military community brings people closer together. I had a friend who was sick and in the hospital. Of course, her best friends and family were concerned, but people who she had talked to all of twice would come up and make sure she was okay and give her flowers. This proves that living on a base is like living with your whole extended family. They all care about you, and especially overseas in Sigonella, where there aren't that many people, they all know you, at least by sight. When I was in Kindergarten and first grade, and my dad was deployed to Iraq, my teachers were really supportive and knew how I was feeling. When my friend's dad was deployed, the base gave their family a packet with things like vouchers to the bowling alley in it.

If you compare me to the average American kid, I have a huge advantage as a Navy dependent. I have so many benefits. Military children are much more outgoing, because we have to move every couple of years, and always meet new people. This prepares us for the outside world. Also, we have strong ties with our peers. People in the military are very close because we have all been in similar situations to each other. There are only a couple of hard aspects, such as facing people with stereotypes against us. My message is this: being a military child is hard, but it is definitely worth it.

About Beatrice Greeson

Beatrice Greeson is currently living at Naval Air Station Sigonella in Sicily with her mother, father, brother and two hateful cats, Tinkerbell and Stella. She loves to read and swim, preferably at the same time. This avid reader devours just about anything she can get her eyes on. Beatrice spends too much time swimming for the base swim team, which competes all over Europe. She has traveled to many different countries and cities in Europe. Her favorite location across the pond is London, England, where she has been spotted exploring everything from cool vintage shops to plays at the Bard's Theater. Beatrice loves fresh white bread and potatoes of any kind (baked, mashed, sweet with marshmallows). Her favorite color is teal, especially when it is accented with gold. Reluctantly playing the clarinet for the past two years, Beatrice would kill to play the oboe. This petite military chick can be found in her cluttered room singing or writing stories and poems for an anthology of her writings she plans to publish.

Sunday, March 6, 2011

Helping Hands = Making a Difference, By Lauren Anderson, Age 11

Being a military child can be tough. Making a difference in the community is something each person in the military does. You can do it, too! Making a difference in the community is something I not only enjoy doing, but it is also something that can relieve stress.

I like to make a difference by raising money for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I am the 2009 Honorary Youth Candidate of the Year. This job of being the 2009 Honorary Youth Candidate required me to raise money, collect donations, auction items, and do different types of fundraisers. As a result of all my hard work I put into the fund raiser, I went to a dinner at the Skirvin Hotel and was able to take my friends and individuals that have made a difference in my life. These people included my three closest friends, my Mom, Grandma, two of my Grandma's friends, and my fifth grade homeroom teacher. I received a gift from my teacher. It was a Willow Tree figurine and was very neat. My Dad was not able to make it due to being stationed at Fort Leavenworth for a school that he had to complete for the Army.

Helping your community is not only good for everyone involved, it is also good for you. You learn responsibility and many other things. I believe that my parents have raised me to help the community in any way possible. My Dad helps fight for the freedom of our country and I want to help my community, too.

In 2008, I raised over two thousand dollars for The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. I would encourage everybody, military children or not, to find a cause they like and fully support it. Helping makes you a better person.

If you join a cause, be prepared to fully participate. Do not start and quit in the middle. It is a task that can take up a lot of your spare time. You want to put forth your best effort with the intent of helping others. It gives you satisfaction that you did something good for your community. My favorite part about helping the community is the feeling that you have helped to improve it for the better.

As a military child, giving back is just one trait that I have and am very proud of it. By serving your community, you could save someone's life and I consider that an honor. The world can be a better place just by doing one small thing. You do not have to do many great big things, but you can do one small act of kindness and might make an impact on someone's life. In order to be good at helping, you need to be fully committed and ready to serve. It is tough work, but it is definitely worth the work and time.

Loving what you are doing is also very important. If you do not fully understand and get what you are doing, you won't ever reach your full potential. It doesn't matter your color, height, weight, age, history, or anything else. You can help!



About Lauren Anderson

Lauren Anderson was born May 8, 1998 in Bambergl Germany. Her father is a US Army Field Artillery Officer and her mother is a stay-at-home mom. She is the oldest of three girls. Lauren is an athlete having competed in gymnastics, played soccer, as well as currently playing competitive basketball. Her team traveled to Walt Disney World in the summer of 2009 for the AAU National Championship where they placed 13th. Lauren has also received the "Best Team Player” award from Oklahoma Christian University’s basketball Cage Camp.

Lauren excels in her academic studies, having always had a straight A average. Lauren received the Presidential Award for academic excellence as well as being nominated for the Masonic Award. Lauren is currently in sixth grade and serves on her student council at school.

Lauren’s faith is very important to her. She enjoys attending church regularly as well as the many activities that her youth group does. Lauren hopes to attend Massachusetts Institute of Technology to study chemistry.

Sunday, February 27, 2011

Life as a Navy Kid, By Victoria Baker, Age 12

All people are different. We all come from diverse backgrounds and have different experiences that form who we are. Children who have parents in the military, although still different, all have similar experiences that help us grow as individuals. These experiences include: moving, making friends, dealing with a parent’s deployments, staying organized, and always being ready for the next move. These experiences are difficult, but military kids are able to handle these things after doing them so often. What you learn from these experiences doesn’t define who you are, they simply give you the confidence to let your true personality shine through.

One thing you do often as a military kid is move. Moving is difficult, even for the most experienced military kid, and I should know, I’ve moved six times! Military kids can adjust to just about any location around the world and have a wealth of knowledge because of these moves. I have lived in almost every corner of the United States. When you move around so often, you get used to traveling, and get to see just how beautiful our country and this world is. It’s something I have truly come to enjoy.

Moving into a new school and town can be hard, but it has become enjoyable for me because I know exactly what to do, and feel excited about a new chance to make new friends. Moving has helped shape who I am in that I have learned about so many different places and have developed ways to make friends more easily.

Organization is a helpful trait you learn as a military kid. When you move so often, it is important that you keep everything around you neat and orderly. Organization isn’t just about your possessions, it’s also a mindset. You are not just organizing your things, you are also keeping your life orderly. How exactly do you “organize” your life? I would recommend focusing on the things that are important to you, and then prioritizing them. I always found it helpful to make lists of things that are important to me. You can usually focus on what’s important to you if you write it all down on paper. Managing your stuff can be just as simple. My Dad always says, “A place for everything, and everything in its place.” This is a really good rule to follow when trying to organize your things. Organization isn’t just a trait that will be beneficial while you’re a military kid, it’s a trait that will serve you throughout your life.

Since I have moved so often, many positive things have happened. The one thing I wasn’t expecting is that my younger brother and I have become very close. I think the reason is, when you move from one place to another, you don’t know anyone when you first get there, and because of this, we really have to rely on each other. My brother and I help each other and have fun. My brother is especially good at making friends and I learn from him just as much as he learns from me. Like all brothers and sisters, we have our “moments,” but we are good friends, and help and support each other when we need it. I feel very fortunate to be so close to a sibling, because I know that lots of kids are just the opposite. My brother and I are both military kids and are learning from our life lessons together.

Deployments are the hardest part of being a military kid. Your Mom or Dad has to go far away for long periods of time. It is incredibly sad to say “good-bye” to a parent that you love, but you are able to handle them being away by writing emails, letters, and keeping in contact as much as possible. One thing my Dad always said that helped me was, “Know that I’m always thinking about you every second of every day.” It feels good to know that someone is thinking about you all the time! It’s a big job for my Mom, too, because now she has twice as much to do. When my Dad is away on deployment, it’s up to my Mom to handle many of the things that my Dad would normally do. Taking out the garbage, fixing the car, and maintenance around the house are just a few of the extra things my Mom has to deal with while my Dad is away. It’s a big job for her, but I try to help my Mom in any way I can. Some examples of the way I help are by feeding and walking our dog, making sure I am ready for school on time, helping in the kitchen, and studying extra hard for my tests. Because of this, we get along quite well, and when my Dad comes home, I continue to handle the same responsibilities. Every time my Dad goes on deployment, I learn so much about life and the responsibilities that go along with growing up.

The common experiences of growing up in a military household help us grow as individuals. Moving and dealing with my father’s deployments have helped me as a person because they have taught me important lessons. These lessons include courage, responsibility, and organization. Growing up as a military kid can be difficult and hard at times, but the experiences I have gained will help guide me towards a successful future.

About Victoria Baker

Hello! My name is Victoria Baker and I currently live in Woodbridge, VA where I’m in the 7th grade. I love to write and have even been published in the newspaper before! My Dad is a Commander in the United States Navy. We’ve moved around a lot. In fact, we’ve lived in five different states! I decided to write in the “Military Kids Speak” essay contest because I like to write, but mostly because I can relate to many other kids out there and I want to let them know that we all share a lot of the same experiences.

Sunday, February 20, 2011

On the Navy's Wings, By Camila Arzola, Age 11

Life as a military kid isn't easy, but as with all things, it has a positive side, too. Looking over at the negative side just impresses people more. So on the negative side, you must move every one to three years, and let go of people you love. On the positive side, you'll see and meet people and places so magnificent, you can scan a history book saying “been there, done that.” Occasionally, you might just become a beloved history teacher's pet. You'll be able to impress all your teachers with your never-ending experiences. Just keep your mind open to all people and sights. See beyond the challenges.

Moving overseas is highly recommended. It's an awesome opportunity to travel to exotic places. Europe is probably the best place to move to for it holds some of the treasures of the world. France, Spain, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, Greece, the Alps, Egypt, Turkey, and England are easy made destinations overseas. I've been to so many places, I just can't count them unless I'm some type of super genius. Let's just say I've been from Monaco, to the Leaning Tower of Pisa, to Pompeii, to Germany, and Turkey! The weird thing is, I haven't been to Disney or Six Flags or even Bush Gardens!

The best place I've been to is Turkey. People there are so sympathetic and kind; it's hard not to call them “sister,” “uncle,” or “auntie!” Some are quite persistent at making business, though. To make the salespeople go away, my family dressed up like the locals and we—the girls in my family—put shawls over our heads just like a nice storekeeper showed us. It was the best experience I ever had. We also went to the Hagia Sophia, an old monument that was first a catholic church and then transformed into one of the largest domes in the world and into a mosque. We also entered the blue mosque, known for the beautiful tiles used on the ceiling. I learned a lot about the Muslim religion and how girls are separated from boys so often. As my family entered the mosque, the whole thing was allowed to be seen by boys, but only a fraction of the whole thing allowed girls to be included.

The military is also a great place to make friends all over the universe, or just the world! As you move, you might notice your buddy list getting enormous. Do not panic; you will survive this experience of “address-explode-yculus.” Just calm down and get a new address book, yours might be exploding. Also remember to contact your close friends by phone, email, or Facebook. Remember time zones when trying to call or else your friend might ignore you for calling them at two in the morning. Please remember, without friends, we might as well be mindless clones. Friends make life more enjoyable and bearable. True friends stick by your side even if you're a million light years away.

Another big deal in military life is deployment. Deployment can be the most worrisome event in some people's lives. Dads are the one's who usually get deployed. If you're lucky enough, your dad will only be deployed up to twelve months. That doesn't mean you lose hope if your dad gets deployed for years in a dangerous place. Most come back from one of the most terrible things in the universe—war. If your dad is in war, send him letters letting him know your prayers are with him and you're always there for him.

Overall, military life is difficult for people of all ages. The sacrifices may be immense, but it also has fabulous opportunities. Like everything, it has it's up's, down's and slopes to deal with. Just avoid the slopes and look up. This goes with everything in life. Good luck!

Sunday, February 6, 2011

Living in a Military Family – Making Friends, By Tajiana Beard, Age 11

It was the end of the 2008 calendar and the middle of the school year. I was in a new community and felt scared walking into my new class. I knew nobody and had no friends. I kept telling myself not to be scared and that it will be okay. As the day went on, I made more friends and I wasn't nervous anymore. I ended up having a nice teacher and great friends. I might have had a great school, but I just didn't feel safe at home. I liked the house, but for some reason, at night time I just couldn't sleep. I think it's because I didn't feel safe. I was just so used to my old house and my old room. For a while, I hardly slept at all. Sometimes I would just sleep on the couch.

Living in a new house wasn't the worst challenge. The hardest thing was getting to know the people in my neighborhood. At first, everyone was staring at me and I could hear people giggle at me when I walked by. Now, I have lots of friends. I actually made friends really fast, but I was just so scared. I usually am not shy, but I didn't know anybody. I started playing outside a lot and made lots of friends. I was still the new girl at school and everybody stared at me. I wanted to move back to my old school where everybody knew me.

This year, I had a new girl in my class. She was really quiet and I knew she felt like I had last year, so I started to talk to her. Her name is Payton, and now she's one of my friends. When I met her, I knew I wasn't the only one who has been the new girl who knew nobody.

Right now, everything's fine with me. For example, I have lots of friends. However, when I move again, all of this is going to start all over. I do love moving, but I hate leaving my school because I usually leave in the middle of the school year. I totally hate the thought of leaving my friends because I will miss them so much.

There is one thing that is good about moving. The good thing for me is getting to see all the different cultures because they're so cool and different and unique. Right now, I live in Japan and I love it. It is so beautiful, especially the seawall, because the waves are so cool. I love swimming in the ocean because it feels so good. The hiking trails are so beautiful, too, because of the awesome view. This is the first country out of the United States that I have ever lived in and that I have ever even visited. It's kind of weird that it's the only country that I have been to because I am in a military family.

I love it in Japan, but I miss my family and friends back home so much. I still talk to my friends in Texas and my family in Nebraska almost every day. I either email them or I call them on my Vonage phone (that I love). They always ask me when I am coming back to Texas and I always have to tell them "not for a very long time.” It was really hard on me to leave all of my friends behind. I have lots of friends here, but I will always remember my friends in Texas and they will always have a special place in my heart and mind. When I move away from Okinawa, I will make sure to stay in touch with my friends because I want to remember them just like I remember my friends from Texas.

When I first moved here, the only place I really found to make friends was at the Kadena Youth Center. Most people were really nice there and I always had fun. I joined clubs and helped the community by picking up trash and by doing lots of different other things. Almost everyday after school, I would walk to the Youth Center with my friends and sometimes we would stop by the Non-Commissioned Officers’ Club on the way and get a snack. I really love going to the Youth Center because I could have fun and hang out with my friends. It was also great because my mom couldn't pick me up after school, so I had somewhere to go and I didn't have to be home alone.

Being in a Military family can be really hard, but when you have friends, it makes it way better. If I didn't have friends, I don't know what I would do. I am going to have to leave my friends, but I know that when I move again, there will be new people there, and most of all, there will be new friends and a chance to make many new memories.

Visit http://militarykidsspeak.com/ for more information.

Thursday, January 27, 2011

My Life as a Military Child, By Brian Burke, Age 12

I have been a military child for my whole life and I've lived overseas for as long as I can remember. Being a military child and living overseas provides a number of opportunities, such as interaction with other military kids and host country nationals. Living overseas also provides a chance to visit historic landmarks and other interesting places. I have lived on the island of Sicily since I was five years old and have visited almost every country in Europe. Some of the things I love and love doing I would not have discovered if I wasn't a military child and had not moved to Italy.

Living abroad enables military kids to develop qualities that civilian kids may not acquire as quickly. Many military kids have developed similar qualities because they are what they are—kids in military families. Qualities such as being more accepting, being more trusting, and being able to make friends and reach out to people are part of every military kid. These are just a few of the extraordinary qualities we share.

I joined the Student 2 Student program at my school because I know what it is like to be new to a school, and know that it can be challenging. I want kids to feel accepted. In the Student 2 Student program, I show new students around the school and show them where important sites are, like the library, cafeteria, gym, nurse, bathrooms and their classes. I don't just show them around, I am very often one of their first friends at the school.

Most kids in America do not have to move once in their life. Some military kids have to move as many as eight times before they graduate from high school. I think that moving is a speed bump not a road block. And I think that it is an opportunity for many things.

Because of being a military child, I now see the world as an adventure that I can go on and learn and experience new things.

Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Living Abroad, By Ashley Hicks, Age 10

I have been moving most of my life. First, I was born in Colorado and I lived there, too. I lived there until I was one year old. Then, I went to Texas. I lived there for three years. That is when my dad joined the Army. After that, I left Texas at the age of four years old on my way overseas to Germany.

I liked a lot of things in Germany. It was fun in Germany. In Germany, my mom got a teaching job for DoDDS. I stayed in Germany for four years. My house in Germany was on the base. It was kind of big and I had a lot of friends. I really liked the food in Germany. It was very good. I have been a lot of places in Germany with my family.

Then we moved to South Korea. I really did not feel anything when I went to South Korea because I was very young. I did not understand why we had to leave our friends. I stayed there for two years. I had two different apartments in Korea. They were very big and roomy. I liked the food in Korea, too. It was very good.

Now I am in Japan. I am not sure how the food tastes, but it does not look very good. It could be good. I just have to try it. The feeling that I had when my mom told me that I was moving to Japan was happiness. However, I was going to miss my friends and the foods. It was sad telling my friends good-bye.

My sister wants to go back to the States, but my mom said no. I still think about my friends in Korea and Germany. Are they still there? Do they remember or miss me? I still keep in touch with my best friends on the email. When I moved here to Japan, the movers kept on breaking our things. The day we got here in Japan, we got our cell phones. The second day we got our car. We were still house hunting then. When we found a house, it was very big and cost a lot of money. My house has four bedrooms, but the fourth one we use as a computer room.

My family and I have been to three different continents. And I have visited over twenty different places in Europe and in the United States. I know people who have lived in one place and never went anywhere. I have been to many different schools and sometimes the same one. I have many different friends all over the world, too.

Sometimes I like living abroad, but sometimes I do not. My life, being part of a military family, is very interesting. My home has always been overseas since my dad joined the Army. The way I feel about overseas is that at first I didn't care where we went. Then I started missing my friends and realized I cared.

I am ten years old now and have been half way around the world. Since I was four years old, I have been overseas. It has been six years and I'm ready to leave. So this year, I am moving back to the United States. I am going to North Carolina for one year. Then I am going to Virginia for I don't know how long. I am happy that I am going back to something that I know. I am happy to go back with all of my family. Just being back home in America is the best feeling as long as my family is together. I have gone to school in the States before, so it is like nothing different. I will miss overseas and having to leave my friends that I made over here in Japan. Japan was fun, but very expensive. I will miss my school and everyone in it. I hope to do well at my next school and not make too much trouble for the new teacher. I will miss my old teacher, Ms. Turner.

Moving is very fun, but sometimes hard on you. You have to have courage and a positive attitude when you come to a new place. Try to make the best of it. You might like that place. Give it a try.

Julie

Julie Rahm

Mindset means everything. And no one knows this better than Julie Rahm, aka America's Mindset Mechanic. A former naval physicist, Julie applies physics to the energy of human thought and the results thoughts create. As a military daughter, spouse and mother-in-law she has experienced the challenges of deployment separations, frequent moves and telecommuting careers while remaining happy and achieving her dreams. With her passion and people-loving style, Julie has provided the metaphorical tools for thousands of people to bridge the gap between their thoughts and their lives. Julie Rahm, M.S., is a certified Frame of Mind Coach who has appeared on numerous television and radio broadcasts, including The Phil Knight Show and ABC affiliates. She hosts The Mindset Mechanic LIVE on Saturdays and Sundays on FM107.1 WTKF and AM1240 WJNC in Eastern NC. Her weekly column The Mindset Mechanic appears in The Pamlico News. She has been quoted in numerous newspapers, and on the web at www.Mindset20.com and www.FrameOfMindCoaching.com. Julie is an inspirational keynote speaker conveying life lessons through a blend of intuitive success strategies, enlightened wisdom, humor and fun. She is the Champion of Military Kids around the World. Julie's latest book is Volume I of Military Kids Speak.

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