Fuller Siblings Follow Dad
To Air Force
by U.S. Air Force Senior Airman Kimberly Barrera January 1,
2022
The U.S. military is built on traditions.
From learning to march in basic training to reveille and retreat,
every branch of the military can trace its heritage based upon their
traditions.
The same can be said about family as well. At
times, serving in the military can become the family tradition.
This definitely rings true for Sven and his younger twin sisters
Sabrina and Selina who grew up as military children or as they are
more commonly known as military brats.
The siblings are part
of the 370,438 family members who are supported by active duty
personnel according to the Air Force’s Personnel Center demographics
from September 2021.
They are part of the countless children
who followed in their parent’s footsteps and enlisted in the U.S.
Air Force.
Senior Airman Selina Fuller, left, 68th Rescue Squadron rescue intelligence analyst, Airman 1st Class Sven Fuller, 4th Security Forces entry controller and Airman 1st Class Sabrina Fuller, 4th Fighter Wing public affairs specialist, with their father retired Air Force Master Sergeant Kent Fuller in Ashville, North Carolina on December 21, 2021. The family had not seen each other for over a year due to the sibling’s service commitments. (Courtesy photo by the Fuller family)
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“Growing up as military children definitely
sparked our interest in the military and contributed to our
individual paths of joining,” said Senior Airman Selina Fuller, 68th
Rescue Squadron rescue intelligence analyst at Davis-Monthan Air
Force Base, Arizona.
From a young age, the Fuller siblings
experienced lots of different traditions and heritages from around
the world as they moved around as their father was stationed
overseas in Italy and Germany and then moving back stateside.
While they are thankful for their shared experiences, they agree
that at times aspects of the military life style were challenging.
“We faced language barriers, moved around a lot, switched
schools and had a hard time making friends at times,” said Airman
1st Class Sabrina Fuller, 4th Fighter Wing public affairs specialist
at Seymour Johnson Air Force Base, North Carolina.
Despite
the challenges, the siblings had each other to lean on.
“We
always had a strong bond,” said Sabrina. “We grew up with a strong
set of values and we didn’t let each other struggle alone.”
That “Wingmen” mindset them up for success as they experienced lots
of firsts when they enlisted in the military but they are one of the
few enlisted Airmen that can rely on their siblings for support.
“They understand what it means to serve, we all went through
basic military training and have faced some of the same challenges,”
said Airman 1st Class Sven Fuller, 4th Security Forces Squadron
entry controller at Seymour Johnson AFB. “I feel stronger knowing
that my siblings are serving with me.”
Each of the siblings
said their father instilled the values and traditions that not only
helped bond them as children but prepared them for their careers in
the military.
Selina said she is proud of her ability to
quickly gather situational awareness, develop and brief current
events in various areas of responsibility. Sabrina said she is proud
of her ability to document military events. And Sven said he is
proud to be in security forces just like his father was and enjoys
interacting with his coworkers and everyone he meets.
While
each sibling found themselves on their own journey in the military
their bond has been further strengthened by their shared experiences
in the Air Force.
“It’s nice to have people close to me that
can relate,” said Sven. “I can talk to them about work because we
have the same military lingo and they understand what I am going
through.”
Each Fuller sibling has plans of making the
military a career and none of it would have been possible without
their father who was a first-generation Airman starting the new
family tradition.
“I’m the first and my children are second
generation Air Force Airmen,” said retired Master Sgt. Kent Fuller.
“I feel humbled by all of their service and commitment and I am
proud of each of them.”
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