Military Child in Wiesbaden Helps to Create Community for Peers

Imagine stepping into a busy high school common area, a sea of unfamiliar faces in a foreign country. You and your family just PCSd (permanent change of duty station) to Germany, another abrupt transition in your life. On St’ Patrick’s Day, instead of feeling lost, you’re greeted by a group of your peers in purple USO shirts and the sounds of laughter.

Giant Jenga and cornhole games are scattered across the room, and a student with a smile approaches and says, “want to guess how many gold coins we have on the table?” This is the magic Andre Jorgenson and his peers on the USO Youth Advisory Council are building in Wiesbaden. This council, a leadership initiative, empowers military kids to take charge, hold regular meetings and plan events designed to bring military children together and create a sense of community within their school. This St. Patrick’s Day event is a perfect example of their work.

Andre’s story, like that of many military children, is woven with threads of both fleeting friendships and deeply rooted experiences. Unlike some of his friends who frequently uprooted their lives, Andre had spent a decade in Germany. He has, however, still felt the ebb and flow of military life. He has watched friends pack up and leave, a bittersweet cycle of hellos and goodbyes.

“It is a little bit disappointing when they do have to leave,” Andre said, but he quickly shifted his perspective, a testament to his resilience, “but we keep in touch online. Meeting new people is a gift. I’m getting to learn so many different perspectives, so many new cultures—it’s really a great experience.”

This ability to transform what could be seen as negative into opportunity, is a consistent trait of military children. The constant flow of new faces has shaped Andre into a young man with a broad worldview, a skill that has served him well on the Youth Advisory Council.

His decision to join the Youth Advisory Council was initially sparked by a desire to spend more time with his friends. But as he looked deeper into the role, he discovered a sense of purpose. “I was thinking about how I should give back to the communities that have been helping me,” he said.

I want to help the military kids who are coming here and might not feel comfortable in their new community. The main goal really for me is to be able to allow them to feel welcomed in this new environment.

The St. Patrick’s Day event was a perfect example of this mission in action. Andre and his peers had carefully planned the games with a sense of connection in mind. The laughter that filled the Wiesbaden High School commons that day was proof of their success.

“Events like this have really brought us together,” Andre said. Kids like Andre understand the importance of these moments, the small acts of connection that could make a world of difference to a child navigating the unique challenges of military life.

Behind the scenes, Andre shows great leadership skills. He listens to and collaborates with his peers and encourages his fellow council members to embrace their roles as community builders.

When asked what advice he would give to younger military children, Andre offered a simple yet powerful message: “Don’t stress out too much about moving to new places. It might be a little scary, but it will get easier. The more people you meet, the more friends you’ll have.”

He encourages other military kids to embrace every moment, to soak in the unique experiences that each new location offers. “Try to take advantage of every second that you’re in a new community.”

Andre’s participation on the Youth Advisory Council isn’t just about planning events; it’s about building a sense of belonging, a place where every military child feels at home, no matter where they are in the world. He is definitely making a lasting impact on the Wiesbaden community – one of understanding, friendship, and positivity.