Meet Hadley Dawn Pitman, a bright and bubbly eight-year-old with a big heart and a story many military children can relate to. Hadley is the oldest of two, with her little brother Liam Pitman who is two years old. With just eight years under her belt, Hadley has already experienced a lifestyle full of movement, change, and resilience—all part of being a military kid.
Hadley was born in Alaska, but she’s called several places home since then. “This is my fourth base,” She commented, she has become used to relocating every few years even if it is not always what she wants to do. She currently lives on Minot AFB, which she admitted is “just really cold,” even for someone born in Alaska. When asked if Minot is colder than Alaska, Hadley remarked that it’s just colder than Georgia, in her eyes, Minot has not hit those Alaskan temperatures yet.
But despite the frequent moves, Hadley found comfort in the base community. “I like to live on base because I have all my friends,” she said. One of her favorite parts of the military lifestyle is when she unexpectedly reunites with old friends. “Natalie [one of my friends] lived in Georgia with me, and now she lives here with me. That’s cool,” she shared with a smile.
Still, being a military kid is not always easy. The hardest part for Hadley is leaving friends behind. “We have to move places every two and four years. I’ll just make new friends, and then we have to move away from them.” It’s a challenge many military kids know too well. But Hadley’s found ways to stay connected with her friends. “I have their text numbers,” she said when asked if she keeps in touch with friends. She expanded by saying that her friend Emma has a phone so she can text her on her tablet. But not all of her friends have devices, so communicating over long distances is trickier. Luckily, the girl’s parents often let their daughters use their own phones to stay in touch.
What is Hadley’s favorite base so far? Surprisingly, it’s here, on Minot AFB. “This [is my favorite] base because I only have two friends,” she said honestly. In Georgia, “I had 10 friends because as soon as I would get home, they would keep knocking on my door.” Now, with fewer distractions, Hadley has found a new appreciation for quiet time. “I get more free time to myself.” And yes, she likes that.
When she’s not busy navigating new places or catching up with old friends, Hadley’s just a regular kid who loves having “double sleepovers with friends.” And she’s even got some thoughts on her dad’s job in the military, “He works on a giant computer and goes in everyone’s rooms,” she said in a very matter of fact way.
Hadley may be young, but her life is filled with change, friendships, family, and new beginnings. Through her eyes, we get a glimpse into what it means to grow up as a military kid, full of challenges, but also rich in adventure, connection, and heart.
