Moen, Daniel. Ministering to Military Teens. S. Hamilton, MA: Center for Youth Studies.

OVERVIEW

They are often referred to as "Military Brats", but a title like that only adds insult to injury. "Dependents" is the title the government gives these people. These people I am referring to are children whose parent(s) are in the military. Teenaged military dependents have faced many more challenges before they reach puberty than the average young person. As if moving to a new neighborhood every four years were not enough, these kids are often dealt a difficult hand. This paper explores some helpful ways we can intervene to reach this tough crowd. It will also provide resources for those working with dependent teens.

According to Military Community Youth Ministry (MCYM), there are approximately 300,000 teenagers whose parents/guardians are professional military personnel. With the increase of military activity in recent years, the stress upon these families has increased. Many families become single parent homes from 9 months to 24 months at any given time. The family becomes increasingly aware of current struggles around the world because it may potentially affect them. It is not like a normal day job for mom or dad. Being in the military is a completely different way of life for a parent and his/her family. So when a teenager's parent is PCS-ing (Permanent Change of Station), so are they.

Most of these families live in military housing on a military installation. Many large or overseas installations have schools right on base. Families living overseas also miss the comforts of home and struggle with learning to live in another culture. Military families, especially those living overseas, face a greater risk of being a target of terrorism every day.

Most military personal are ordered to move to a new duty station every three to four years. For teenagers this is especially difficult. Some may face up to three moves during their middle school to senior high school years. Needless to say, finding new friends doesn't get easier with each move. All of these stressors added up making life difficult to live in a military environment.

Ministry to Military Teens

Depending on the size of the chapel ministry on the installation, there may be a youth ministry already in place. These youth ministries are often inter-denominational and smaller in comparison to church ministries outside of the installation. There may be a civilian youth worker who is essentially a government contractor hired by the main chaplain office. Because of the nature of the contract, the person in this position does not necessarily have to be a Christian. This can present some obvious problems with the quality of the ministry. For example, some may be more social and less concerned with

discipleship and evangelism.

Military installations and commanders understand the importance of having healthy teens. They have therefore placed an emphasis on social services for families of service members. They will often include social services directly aimed towards teenagers. Some military branches and installations do a better job than others.

Many churches around military installations have youth ministries that have an eclectic group of teens attending their ministries. One youth group may have a larger percentage of military dependent teens than "civilian teens". There may be some teens

whose parents are retired from the military but have chosen to live near a military installation. Military benefits continue to retirees. Many church youth ministries may have a steady group of teens from the civilian and veteran population and a steady rotation of teens whose parents are still in the military. As long as these groups maintain a welcoming and healthy attitude, those teens that face relocation every few years, can find stability in groups with unique dynamics.

There is an important ministry that bridges the gap between the civilian world and the military world. Military Community Youth Ministry is a Christian organization whose target audience are teenagers of military parents. Their mission is "focused on the youth of America's military families. We partner with youth ministries and churches to provide the best in staff and programming to the chaplains of the Armed Forces for official command-sponsored youth ministry." Their principle ministry partners involve Young Life Inc., Youth for Christ /USA, and the National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry. MCYM is located near over 40 military installations including many overseas locations.

In some cases, an MCYM staff member will be the contracted civilian to help the chaplain office provide youth ministry for the military families. This ministry is very familiar with and is acclimated to military life. MCYM is a highly respected ministry in the eyes of the commanders and chaplains at every installation. Every installation or neighboring community has a regular meeting of students called "Club Beyond" or "Club" for short. Due to their unique relationship with the military, many of their staff have access to the campuses of D.O.D. schools and neighboring schools. Although they are not allowed to preach the gospel in school, they are busy "earning the right to be heard".

The connection

The ministries of the military chaplains and MCYM are very important to the civilian church youth minister who may find him or herself ministering near a military installation. The opportunity for ministry is endless at military installations. Therefore, there is no need for competition between these ministries. In fact, the most successful youth ministry occurs when these ministries work together. In many ways military teens have an advantage over civilian teens. There are many more people concerned about their spiritual and physical welfare.

Life as a military dependent is hard and demanding. For military teens, it is a sacrifice that they did not chose to make. We can make it easier for them by reaching out with a welcoming attitude and the love of Christ. Jesus is calling us to join forces with other ministries to reach out to these teens.

A resource list:

This is a list of resources that I have gathered to help anyone who is working with a military teen. The U.S. military sites are helpful because they offer many services for families and teens. Unfortunately, not enough families and teens take advantage of these services. With each website there is a brief description of services provided.

1) http://www.armycommunityservice.org/vacs_advocacy/home.asp

The Family Readiness Group (FRG) is an officially command-sponsored organization of family members, volunteers, and soldiers belonging to a unit, that together provide an avenue of mutual support and assistance, and a network of communications among the family members, the chain of command, and community resources. FRGs help create a climate of mutual support within the unit and community. Basic FRG goals include supporting the military mission through provision of support, outreach, and information to family members. FRGs play an integral part in the Family and Soldier Readiness System (FSRS).

Family Advocacy is dedicated to the prevention, education, prompt reporting, investigation, intervention and treatment of spouse and child abuse. The program provides a variety of services to soldiers and families to enhance their relationship skills and improve their quality of life. This mission is accomplished through a variety of groups, seminars, workshops and counseling and intervention services.

2)    http://www.armyteenpanel.army.mil/index.html

The Army Teen Panel (ATP) is a group of teens who represent teenagers Army-wide. Each is nominated by their Installation and their Region.

The ATP was started in 1995 as a program to assist Army youth in communicating teen concerns to the highest levels of Army leadership. There have been over sixty ATP members, including the present members on the Panel. ATP members relate issues, seek solutions, help, teach, and serve as a critical link between teen and command communications. The ATP members inform leadership about the lives of teens on Army installations and are able to discuss the unique situations teens encounter. ATP is a civic education program that provides members with opportunities for developing leadership and citizenship skills.

They are the vehicle for expressing how things really are for teens at the installation level. They represent thousands in an Army of One.

3)    http://www.dod.mil/mtom/index_t.htm

This site targets military teens that are about to relocate. This site was designed with you in mind. Maybe you've had to relocate a zillion times. Sometimes you've lived in really cool places and other times, well, maybe it wasn't so cool. We know how difficult and stressful it can be to have to move, say goodbye to your friends, switch schools, start over and all that.

So, grab a soda, get yourself comfortable and start clicking your way to your new home, your new school and your new life.

4)   http://www.mcym.org/ 

Military Community Youth Ministry

5) http://www.nfcym.org/

National Federation for Catholic Youth Ministry

6)   http://www.defenselink.mil/specials/stressawareness03/teen.html
Teens and youth of military parents: Stress awareness

7)     http://www.usmc-mccs.org/index_fnof.cfm
Marine Corps community services