The current policies and regulation of the Department of Defense, concerning the children of our soldiers, are not only inadequate, but are not uniformly enforced.

One can also argue that the lack of comprehensive policies and regulations actually puts these children in harm's way.

When a Military Brat is abused, assaulted, or harmed in anyway, on a military base in the United States, the child is under the jurisdiction of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

This is by no means advertised by the Department of Defense.

According to the Department of Defense the military police officer on base is not obligated to inform the victim or the parents of this fact. Nor is the military police officer obligated to inform the FBI that a crime against a Military Brat was brought to their attention.

In addition, if the same crimes occur on a United States military base overseas, then the FBI has no jurisdiction. The Department of Defense stands behind their policy of having “only landlord powers over the U.S. Military Brat.”

According to the Department of Defense and the FBI, the Military Brat is then under the jurisdiction of whatever foreign government the base is located.

The Department of Defense has created the “800 One Force” hot lines. This number is the same for all four branches of our armed forces. It is duly advertised on grocery bags in the Commissary on base. 

However, according to the operators who answer the phone, and the Department of Defense, “no one under the age of 18 is allowed to call this number”. It seems the less sense it makes the more our government wants to embrace it.

Please read the legislation and petition for a more in-depth look at what we are working to change. We will also be adding articles and blogs by and about military brats who have been subjected to policies and regulations which prevented them from receiving the help they desperately needed.

We need your help, please sign our petition now and help us to protect the children of our soldiers.

I like to leave you with a quote from Vice Adm. Bob Conway, Commander, Navy Installations Command:

“Growing up in a military family is something not all children can experience. It's tough and demands levels of family responsibilities load-sharing that only military families can appreciate. Our children unsung courage, sacrifice and support, should be considered no less impactful towards serving this nation than that of our uniform members.”

Well said, Commander Conway. It is now up to the United States citizen, as well as all U.S. Military Brats, to make sure these words do not just wither away. Please help us by signing our petition now. 

God bless America, our troops, and the United States Military Brats, as well as all of you speaking out for those, who, at the moment, have no voice.

Sincerely,

MilitaryBratsRight.org