Mission Employable: Insights into the Employment Barriers faced by the Armed Forces Community. Episode 2 – Military Children.

Children of military families face unique life circumstances that can shape their approach to adulthood and employability. 

During the Week of Acknowledgement for Armed Forces, an annual DEIB Milestone Moment for AMS, Military ERG Lead Luke Hollands invited Louise Fetigan, Founder and Operations Manager at Little Troopers, a charity dedicated to supporting military children, to share how her organisation works to address these challenges and offer resources to help young adults from military backgrounds thrive. In addition, a panel of AMS employees, all military children themselves, shared how this upbringing has shaped their approach to work, relationships, and personal resilience.

The Impact of Constant Relocation 

Military children move on average, three times as often as their civilian peers. As Louise pointed out, more than 75,000 military children are currently enrolled in UK public schools often having to change schools multiple times due to their parents’ postings​. 

These relocations help build adaptability but can also challenge the sense of identity and community. During the panel discussion, one of our AMS panellists noted that her children attended 12 schools throughout their childhood and many face similar disruptions that impact academic continuity and, later, job stability. 

Young adults growing up in the military can experience similar barriers to spouses and partners when it comes to maintaining stable employment whilst constantly relocating.

Building Resilience and Adaptability

Growing up in a military family requires constant adjustment. AMS Panellists discussed how resilience and independence were instilled from a young age, with one noting, "I had to be the new person a lot, which built confidence and taught me to form new friendships quickly." 

This resilience is a hallmark of military children, with 85% reporting that they feel prepared to handle stress and change in their adult lives according to a survey ran by Military Family Advisory Network. In the workplace, this can translate to a unique ability to adapt to new environments and work well under pressure however it can also pose challenge when creating long-term professional networks. 

Louise emphasised that no child is born resilient; resilience is nurtured through a supportive environment that addresses the challenges of frequent relocations, parental deployments, and uncertainty​. This adaptability prepares military children well for the dynamic demands of the workforce. 

Challenges in Defining a "Home Base" 

A recurring theme among military children is a lack of a stable home base. As Louise noted, the military once supported a community-based lifestyle with schools and housing designed for military families. 

Today, most military children attend civilian schools which can feel isolating. Little Troopers addresses this through its Little Troopers at School programme by educating teachers about military life and offering resources and workshops that schools can use with their  military children to support wellbeing. 

AMS panellists discussed how many military children struggle to answer the question, "Where are you from?" This “rootlessness” affects them as adults, leading some to seek jobs that offer flexibility or remote options allowing them to create a stable home environment on their own terms. Despite these challenges, many military children develop a strong work ethic. 

They understand the importance of punctuality, adaptability, and independence—skills honed by necessity during their upbringing. 

Advice to Employers: Recognising the Unique Skills of Military Children

Employers who recognise the unique skill set military children bring to the table benefit from a workforce that is adaptable, resilient, and resourceful. Louise pointed out that employers could support military children transitioning into the workforce by fostering environments that prioritise flexibility, mentorship, and open dialogue about career progression. This allows military children entering the workplace to feel supported in navigating the professional landscape which can feel as disjointed as their childhood experiences.

Conclusion

Military children bring a unique blend of resilience, adaptability, and perspective to the workforce. Their upbringing often prepares them to handle the complexities of the modern job market. By understanding their background and supporting organisations like Little Troopers, employers can better integrate military children into their workforce leveraging their strengths and providing them with stability as they embark on new career paths.

Click here to read my first article article on this topic, ‘Mission Employable: Insights into the Employment Barriers faced by the Armed Forces Community. Episode 1 – Military Veterans.’

AMS is proud to be a signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant and holds Gold Status under the Defence Employer Recognition Scheme. This year, AMS were the first talent solutions business to resign the Armed Forces Covenant after 10 years.

Thanks to Louise Fetigan for a thought-provoking presentation and to AMS Panellists and Military Children: Sean Grange, Lauren McKee, Kate Legg, Kim Black. Final thanks to Luke Hollands, AMS Military ERG Lead for coordinating this year’s Week of Acknowledgment for Armed Forces at AMS.