Foreign Service brat
In the United States a Foreign Service brat (also referred to as diplobrat or FSB) is a person whose parent(s) served full-time in a Foreign Service posting abroad during that person's childhood. The term brat is often thought of as derogatory; however, for some who have experienced this background, the term has a neutral feel and is sometimes taken as a sign of pride. A Foreign Service brat may spend the majority of their childhood outside their parents' home country.
Like similar groups, such as military brats, missionary kids, or other third culture kids, Foreign Service brats are faced with frequent moves, and possibly the absence of a parent. Some Foreign Service brats will grow up to take on roles similar to their parents, while the majority will pursue a private sector career. Many of these children feel very different from their peers if they are eventually "repatriated".
Notable former Foreign Service brats
- Stewart Copeland, drummer for the Police
- Greg Kinnear, actor
- John Kerry, United States Secretary of State, Presidential candidate
- Kathleen Turner, actress
- William Hurt, actor
- Dylan Walsh, actor
- Oliver Platt, actor
- Chris Van Hollen, United States Representative from Maryland