I was a military brat, a Canadian one. Lived on military bases from ages 4 to 18 years old, from 1954 to 1968.
Most of it was good. We were well looked after, and everyone had the same life. Dad who served, Mom who stayed home. The only dark side was the alcoholism, which seemed excessive to us kids. My Dad was one of those afflicted and he never got over it. He had served in England during the war and re-enlisted in '52. Never talked about it. Probably the main reason I never considered a military career.
My fondest memories would be ages 8 to 11 when we were stationed at Camp Borden, Ontario. It was a combined army and air force base. Dad was in the RCAF. Our PMQ was right next to the army training ground. Things were different then. Over protection was not the parenting norm.
My brothers and our friends would roam this vast area and have a ball. We would watch the tanks, follow groups of infantry guys and get chased by the MPs. They never caught us. Can't even imagine that today.