Celebrating 40 Years of the Month of the Military Child

Celebrating the Legacy of Resilience and Supporting Military-Connected Children and Youth

April is recognized as the Month of the Military Child, a time to honor the resilience, strength, and contributions of military-connected children, youth, and families. This year’s theme, Legacy of Resilience: 40 Years of Nourishing Our Military Children's Future, highlights military-connected children and youth’s enduring strength and our continued commitment to supporting their growth and well-being.

Military-connected families often face frequent relocations, school transitions, and time apart during deployments. Child and youth professionals play a vital role in supporting military-connected children and youth by providing stable, nurturing environments and opportunities to build social and emotional skills.

Throughout April, the Department of War (DoW), the Department of War Education Activity (DoWEA), and military communities worldwide host events to recognize military-connected children and youth, as well as raise awareness about available resources for military-connected families.

Ways child and youth professionals can celebrate:

Participate in Purple Up Day (April 15): Wear purple to show appreciation. The color represents all branches of the military coming together in support of military families.
Highlight the Month of the Military Child in program materials: Share information in newsletters, websites, or social media to raise awareness of military-connected experiences.
Recognize military-connected children and youth: Acknowledge them during program activities, announcements, or community events.
Incorporate supportive activities: Facilitate age-appropriate discussions, projects, or activities that help children and youth reflect on their own experiences, build resilience, and support one another.

For more information and additional resources, visit: