Sixteen-year-old Belle Black knows a little something about what it takes to be a military kid. She has been one her entire life. But, she doesn’t let this ever-changing lifestyle get in the way of her many passions. Belle loves music, so much so that she plays percussion in the Minot High band and is also on the drumline.  All about the arts, Belle also said that she enjoys drawing, painting and reading fantasy/science fiction novels. 

True to form, Belle has lived all over the world. When asked how many places she has lived, Belle had to stop and count. Ultimately she believes the count is seven! Some of her favorite stations have been overseas bases, including both Germany and Hawaii. Belle explained that although she was young when she lived in these places, she will look back at pictures and it helps her remember the beautiful tulip fields in Europe and the sunny, sandy beaches in Hawaii. 

Most recently in her moving memory is when she and her family were stationed at F. E. Warren AFB in Cheyenne, Wyoming, before moving to Minot in 2020. Belle remembered that location clearly and fondly as she recounted the closeness and family-like atmosphere. She said she loved that since her school was within walking distance, all her classmates were also her neighbors. It was her most memorable location, but she also pointed out that if they were to go back there she knows most of her friends have moved away, so it wouldn’t be the same. 

Most military kids have a vague sense of what their serving parent specifically does, since it can sometimes vary from base to base. When asked about what she thinks her dad does in the Air Force, Belle responded confidently, “He could launch a missile, but thankfully he has never done it.” Belle’s dad is Capt. Marshall “KIP” Black, 741 MS. 

As she has lived in so many places, we asked Belle where she considered “home” and how she responds when new people ask the common “where are you from?” question. Belle said she has two different answers for this question which she uses at different times. Sometimes she says that she is from “all over the place” and leaves it at that. Other times, Belle plainly says she is from Texas because that is where her parents are from and she likes Texas too.

Like so many other military kids who have experienced this nomadic life, Belle admitted that the best part of being a mil kid is seeing the world and having fantastic stories to tell. She hopes to eventually travel or live on the East Coast, because she has never been, or Colorado, because it is so intensely beautiful. 

Belle is just one military teen who has taken to this lifestyle and embraces both the positives and negatives. Thanks for your adventurous spirit and support to our country, Belle!