The ASVAB Tutor Remembers National Military Brat’s Day

National Military Brat’s Day April 30

In working as an ASVAB tutor, I choose to recognize military holidays and anniversaries.

Today, April 30, is National Military Brats’ Day.  Today is a day to honor children of military members. The term “BRAT” refers to children of military men and women.  The origin of the term “BRAT” is still unclear.  There are different stories on the origin of the term.  It has been said that the term started in 1921.  The origin came from the British army.  The term “BRAT” stood for British Regiment Attached Traveler”.  It was assigned to families who were able to travel abroad with a solder.  As time passed, it referred to military children only.  The term lasted and was used in many places around the world including the United States.  Dr. Grace Clifton, a professor at Open University in UK researched the origin of the term.  She found the term was used in 1707 in a song about military families and used the term “brats and wives”.  Clifton said the term “barrack rat” was used at the end of the 18^th century in the U.K. when referring to children living in the army barracks.  She believed that the words “barrack rat” might have been shortened to “brat”.  The origin of the term “BRAT is still under debate.