MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan -- Life as a military child isn’t always the easiest, but at times it has advantages.
Unlike most stateside high school students participating in sports, the Department of Defense Education Activity students at Misawa Air Base get the chance to travel throughout their host nation country and neighboring countries to compete in tournaments.
“Playing sports is obviously important for health reasons - but, beyond that, students learn very important lessons about teamwork, friendship, leadership, discipline, desire and dedication,” said William Schofield, the Robert D. Edgren High School boys’ soccer and wrestling coach. “All of these lessons are put into action at every practice and in every game. Without sports, students lose the capacity to lead, bond with teammates and build lifelong friendships.”
Parents wearing the uniform aren't the only ones who strengthen the long-standing U.S.-Japan and U.S.- Republic of Korea alliances through professional partnerships and friendships; their children make an impact as well while competing throughout the region.
For the high school students of Robert D. Edgren, they were able to forge their own friendships through competition with other military, Korean, and Japanese children.