Staff Sgt. Justin Jones helps Jamal Kennedy, 5, behind the wheel of a Mine Resistant Ambush Protected vehicle during a tour Monday of the Army Basic Combat Training Museum. About 400 students of Fort Jackson's C.C. Pinckney and Pierce Terrace element...

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- The month of April is designated "Month of the Military Child" to recognize the sacrifices children of service members make. Fort Jackson schools took the opportunity Monday to show their students what their mothers and fathers do at Fort Jackson and have done across the Army.

About 400 students of Fort Jackson's C.C. Pinckney and Pierce Terrace elementary schools toured the U.S. Army Basic Combat Training Museum Monday. As the buses pulled up and children filed off one by one, the students began to ask questions and gaze at the various military vehicles on display.

The children gathered in front of the museum for a brief introduction and explanation of the museum and how it relates to tradition and history.

"We give them a snapshot into what it is like to be in the military today," said Henry Howe, museum curator. "We're also going to give them basic lessons on soldiering, such as marching, saluting and standing at attention."

Lt. Col. Michael Ufford, operations officer, praised the event.

"The children who come through the museum become that much more proud about what their parents do and understand what it means to be held responsible and accountable to your country" Ufford said. "So when these children leave here they will have a deeper understanding of what it means to be a Soldier, whether that means to be an enlisted Soldier or officer."

Military children usually have a unique perspective as to their parents' every day sacrifices for their families.

"Our son is already mocking his father as if he were a Soldier" said Rachel Morales, volunteer for the parent teacher organization at Fort Jackson and spouse of a drill sergeant.

"I think it's important that parents get involved with these programs," Morales said. "They help children understand why their fathers and mothers are gone all day long (and) it helps our son and daughter (better) understand why their father, who is a drill instructor, teaches respect, honor and discipline to the Soldiers."

Month of the Military Child activities will continue through April 28.