Written by: Jenny Rea, Ph.D.
The transition to adulthood represents a pivotal period for all young individuals. For military-connected teens, however, this journey is often navigated through a distinctive landscape characterized by frequent relocations, parental deployments, and the inherent norms of military life. While these experiences undeniably cultivate remarkable resilience (National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, 2019), they can also present substantial challenges such as disrupted social networks (Steggerda et al., 2024), inconsistent educational trajectories (De Pedro et al., 2016), and considerable emotional strain (National Military Family Association, 2025).
Consider the experiences of a military-connected teen: one day, they might be deeply rooted in a community, and the next, they are adapting to a new school system in a different state, simultaneously navigating new social dynamics and the emotional complexities of a parent’s deployment. These multifaceted experiences, while fostering significant adaptability, can also impact social and academic continuity.
The Nuance of Resilience: Beyond Superficial Optimism
The term “resilience” is frequently applied within military families, at times bordering on toxic positivity — implying an expectation for military youth to rebound effortlessly from adversity. However, authentic resilience is not an inherent trait that negates challenges. Instead, it functions more akin to a muscle: it is developed through active engagement with one’s personal growth, whether through participation in structured youth programs, meaningful interactions with a mentor, or introspective practices like journaling. As defined by the Department of Defense, resilience is “the ability of individuals and families to withstand, recover from, and grow in the face of stressors and changing demands of military life to maintain positive outcomes across the domains of career, social, financial, health, and community engagement” (DoDI 1342.22, 2021). It is a dynamic process, not a static state of unwavering optimism.
The Imperative of Protective Factors
Given these unique developmental considerations, how can military family service providers effectively support these young individuals in their confident transition to adulthood? The answer lies in fostering protective factors — essential buffers that mitigate adversity and promote positive outcomes. For military-connected teens, these include:
- Robust Social Support: Cultivating strong peer and community connections.
- Effective Coping Skills: Developing strategies to navigate life’s inevitable difficulties.
- Supportive Relationships with Caring Adults: Establishing strong bonds with mentors, educators, and other positive role models who provide guidance and emotional support.
Research consistently demonstrates that positive family relations, robust social support, and a supportive school climate are critical for fostering resilience and enhancing well-being among military-connected teens (DeGraff et al., 2016; Lucier-Greer et al., 2021; O’Neal et al., 2017; O’Neal et al., 2018).
Navigating Career and Financial Well-Being
A significant component of the transition to adulthood involves developing career and financial readiness. For military teens, this takes on a particular dimension. This includes exploring career pathways that leverage their diverse experiences, understanding the intricacies of financial management, and recognizing the influence of “money scripts” — unconscious beliefs about money shaped during childhood (Klontz et al., 2011). It extends beyond basic financial concepts to encompass the emotional, societal, and cultural contexts that influence financial perceptions and behaviors.
Cultivating Real-World Support
It is well-understood that military culture often encourages self-reliance, which can occasionally pose barriers to seeking assistance. Consequently, military family service providers play a pivotal role in understanding this cultural nuance. By offering support that respects the military family’s unique identity while concurrently fostering well-being, these professionals can significantly impact positive youth development.
Empowering the Journey to Adulthood
The journey to adulthood is a profoundly transformative period for all young people, and for military teens, it is an odyssey marked by distinct challenges and remarkable strengths. By intentionally identifying and nurturing protective factors, we can equip them with the essential tools required to confidently navigate career pathways, achieve financial independence, and effectively advocate for themselves.
As the ancient wisdom attributed to Lao Tzu reminds us, “The journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” For military teens, this initial stride into adulthood is profoundly important, and with the strategic implementation of protective factors, they are not merely prepared for the path ahead — they are poised to achieve extraordinary success.
To further enhance your capacity to serve these resilient youth, I invite you to join Karen Baker, Virginia Cooperative Extension Agent, and myself for the Academy webinar, “Launching Leaders: Preparing Military-Connected Teens for Adulthood.” This session will delve into practical strategies, skills, and resources to empower military youth in their transition to adulthood, with a specific focus on career and financial well-being.
Please mark your calendars for September 24, 2025, from 11:00 AM – 12:30 PM EST, and register today: https://oneop.org/learn/160097/ This is an essential opportunity to gain insights and develop skills to support military teens in their successful launch into adulthood.
We encourage you to be a part of the Military Family Readiness Academy. To learn more and register for the Academy, click here.
References:
Bishop, R. (2024, July 16). Learn how to strengthen your resiliency muscle. Mayo Clinic Health System. https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/strengthen-your-resiliency-muscle#:~:text=It%27s%20a%20skill%20you%20can,age%20or%20phase%20of%20life.
DeGraff, A. N., O’Neal, C. W., & Mancini, J. A. (2016). The significance of military contexts and culture for understanding family well-being: Parent life satisfaction and adolescent outcomes. Journal of Child and Family Studies, 25(10), 3022-3033. doi:10.1007/s10826-016-0471-0
De Pedro, K. T., Astor, R. A., Gilreath, T., Benbenishty, R., & Berkowitz, R. (2016). School climate, deployment, and mental health among students in military-connected schools. Youth & Society, 50(1), 93-115. https://doi.org/10.1177/0044118X15592296
DoDI 1342.22 (2021, August 5). Military Family Readiness. https://www.dmi-ida.org/knowledge-base-detail/dodo-instruction-134222-military-family-readiness
Klontz, B., Britt, S. L., Mentzer, J., & Klontz, T. (2011). Money beliefs and financial behaviors: Development of the Klontz Money Script Inventory. Journal of Financial Therapy, 2(1), 1-22. doi:10.4148/jft.v2i1.451
National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine, Division of Behavioral and Social Sciences and Education, Board on Children, Youth, and Families, Committee on the Well-Being of Military Families. (2019). Strengthening the military family readiness system for a changing American society. S. Le Menestrel & K. W. Kizer (Eds.). National Academies Press (US). https://doi.org/10.17226/25380
National Military Family Association (NMFA), & Leidos. (2025, April 10). The military teen experience: Navigating challenges and building resilience. https://www.leidos.com/insights/military-teen-experience-navigating-challenges-and-building-resilience
O’Neal, C. W., Mallette, J. K., Lanier, A. R., Mancini, J. A., & Huebner, A. J. (2017). Worried, concerned and untroubled: Antecedents and consequences of youth worry. Child & Family Social Work, 22(2), 801-812. https://doi.org/10.1111/cfs.12298
O’Neal, C. W., Mallette, J. K., & Mancini, J. A. (2018). The importance of parents’ community connections for adolescent well-being: An examination of military families. American Journal of Community Psychology, 61(1/2), 204-217. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajcp.12222
Steggerda, J. C., Cavell, T. A., Drew, A. L., Nicholson, J. H., Herrera, C., Gaffney, D., Smith Slep, A.,& Spencer, R. (2024). Inventory of School Supports-Youth Report (ISS-YR): Development and Validation with Military-Connected Students. School Mental Health, 16(1), 225-238.
The University of Texas at Austin – Employee Assistance Program. (2023, Oct 30). Toxic positivity: The importance of negative emotions. https://eap.utexas.edu/news/toxic-positivity-importance-negative-emotions
AI photo generated by author using Gamma
