Photo By Staff Sgt. Isaiah Soliz | U.S. Air Force Lt. Col. Rose Englebert, 325th Force Support Squadron commander,...... read more read more
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As an Airman climbs through the enlisted ranks, totaling 10 years of service, being reassigned as an Airman Leadership School instructor meant his dream of commissioning had to be placed on the backburner.
Although Tech. Sgt. Jordan Fuller delayed his goal of commissioning, he didn’t stop pursuing his aspirations. His efforts paid off when he was selected to make the leap from enlisted to officer through a program offered by his career field.
“My career field is undermanned within the officer tier, causing this whole process to be kind of condensed,” Fuller said. “That is why I will be going straight to my first duty station first and then going to commissioned officer training, a form of officer training school.”
Lt. Col. Rose Englebert, 325th FSS commander, elaborated more about the program Fuller will go through.
“The program Fuller was commissioned under was deliberately seeking enlisted members with leadership experience to bring to the lab officer corps,” Englebert said. “I have no doubt his experience as an ALS instructor will add value to his effectiveness as an officer.”
Fuller was administered the Oath of Office by Englebert in August.
“Jordan is a true leader by example! He lives by the core values and has been a great team player on the Tyndall ALS team,” Englebert said. “His passion, commitment and selflessness in and out of uniform has been an inspiration to everyone around him.”
As he sat pondering this life-altering position, Fuller reflected on his time as an ALS instructor.
“This is the best job I’ve ever had,” Fuller said. “Leading Airmen, developing and helping them better their careers is very fulfilling [to me] especially when a student reaches back saying thank you for being an example to them.”
As an ALS instructor, Fuller is charged with preparing senior airmen to take on their first supervisory roles. Fuller, and other instructors like him, complete this task by introducing Air Force leadership theories, highlighting the development of effective communication, resource stewardship, customs and courtesies and the Profession of Arms.
According to Fuller, over the course of the three years he has been an ALS instructor, the school has cycled roughly 200 Airmen each year while he has directly mentored about 250 Airmen.
“When I was interviewed for this instructor position I really didn’t want it,” Fuller said. “Upon enlisting I knew I would have to put my personal goals on hold to serve the enlisted force. This position would mean that my goals would be pushed even further back.”
Fuller admitted that putting his personal goals on hold is tough to think about.
“The Core Values: Integrity First, Service before Self and Excellence in All we Do, meant I was willing to suspend my dreams and ambitions for the betterment of the Air Force and I declared that during my interview with the commandant,” Fuller said. “He said my willingness to suspend my life for the greater-cause is partially why I was chosen for this job.”
Fuller added that his leadership has been extremely supportive of his dreams throughout his time at ALS and now through this transition.
“I think the training, instructor position, professional guidance and personal experiences I have had during my 10 years of enlisted service will give me an advantage of sorts,” Fuller said. “Everything I’ve learned thus far in the enlisted force will help me relate to the Airmen that I will soon be leading and serving for.”
As a prior enlisted Airman herself, Englebert spoke highly of Fuller and his future as a leader.
“Technical Sgt. Jordan Fuller has a knack for rallying Airmen towards a common goal,” she said. “He has a very rare combination of emotional intelligence and commitment which has made him one of the most effective and rapidly developing leaders I’ve seen.”
“Jordan is a highly skilled wingman, leader and warrior,” she continued. “While his commissioning is a loss to the enlisted core, I have no doubt Lt. Fuller will be an outstanding leader in the United States Air Force.”
| Date Taken: | 08.16.2017 |
| Date Posted: | 09.07.2017 16:51 |
| Story ID: | 247378 |
| Location: | TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, FL, US |
| Web Views: | 1,046 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, ALS instructor: fulfilling a dream once on hold, by SSgt Isaiah Soliz, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
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