As a child, Ms. Rachel LeJeune remembers going to watch Fourth of July fireworks on post at Fort Campbell. It was a family tradition for her family since her father was a veteran with the 101st Airborne as a pilot in the 160th Nightstalkers.
Ms. LeJeune sat down the Ali Weeks to discuss her experience as a military child.
Ali Weeks (AW): What does it mean to you to be a military child?
Ms. LeJeune (RL): “I feel that it’s pretty cool that I am a military child. I’m really proud of the things that my father did in the military.”
AW: How many different places have you lived?
RL: “So normally people say they lived in multiple places, but I have only lived in Clarksville. My parents waited to start a family till they were in a stationary location.”
AW: How many schools have you attended?
RL: “I have only attended schools in the Clarksville district.” (Note: Ms. LeJeune graduated from West Creek in 2015. See her profile.)
AW: What is the hardest part about a parent being in the military?
RL: “I was too young to know what it was like. My father retired when I was in 3rd grade. My best friend is a parent with her husband in the military and I can see it being a challenge.”
AW: What are the positives of being a military child?
RL: “Healthcare. Lol. In all seriousness, being a military child gave me a lot of opportunities, even as an adult. When I got my first adult job, the hiring manager was retired military, and we were able to connect on that level.”
AW: What is the biggest negative about being a military child?
RL: “I feel that military children have stricter parents but in reality…is that really a bad thing?”
AW: Was it ever hard for you to make friends?
RL: “I made friends pretty easily.”
