Here's how you know
 **Official websites use .mil** .mil
 **Secure .mil websites use HTTPS** lock () https://


Skip to main content (Press Enter).
 Toggle navigation
            
            
            
            
            National Guard
                        Always Ready Always There
                    National Guard
            
            Search National Guard:
                        Search
                    Search
                        Search National Guard:
                            Search
    Home

    News
    
        Guard News

    Overseas Operations

    State Partnership Program

    News Features

    RSS Feeds

    Press Releases

    Transcripts

    Features
    
        Features by Year

    Posture Statement

    State Partnership Program

    Special Features

    About the Guard
    
        How We Began

    Air National Guard

    Army National Guard    
    
        DEERS Soldier Journey

    Leader Development Program

    History and Heritage

    I am the Guard

    NGB Official March

    Leadership
    
        CNGB

    VCNGB

    SEA

    DANG

    DARNG

    Joint Staff    
    
        J-1

    J-2

    J-3

    J-4

    J-5

    J-6

    J-7

    J-8

    Personal Staff    
    
        Inspector General

    General Counsel

    Public Affairs

    Executive Support Services

    Legislative Liaison

    Special Staff    
    
        National Guard Office of Special Victims' Counsel

    Office of the Provost Marshal

    Office of the Joint Surgeon

    Director of Acquisitions

    Small Business Programs

    Chaplain

    Senior Leader Management Office

    Diversity Equity Inclusion

    Comptroller

    Resources    
        National Defense Strategy Implementation Guidance

    Community Engagement

    FOIA

    Fact Sheets

    Helpful Links

    Image Gallery
    
        News Images

    Graphics

    Historical Paintings

    Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

    Legislative Liaison

    Small Business Programs

    Social Media

    State Websites

    Videos    
    
        Featured Videos

    On Every Front

    2019 Videos

    2020 Videos

    2021 Videos

    Suicide Prevention

    Family Programs

    Environmental

    Trial Defense Service

    Holistic Wellness Challenge

    Contact Us  Home
  News
  Article View
 
 Download
 Details
 Share
 NEWS
 Kentucky military police sergeant leads MPs, high school students By Army Staff Sgt. David Bolton, 133rd Mobile Public Affairs Detachment
 LOUISVILLE, Ky. - For the fourth time in her 15-year military career, Army Sgt. 1st Class Jennifer Fulkerson took the oath to faithfully defend the Constitution of the United States. But it was the first time that she raised her right hand for a four-star general. Fulkerson, assigned to the Kentucky National Guard's 223rd Military Police Company, raised her right hand as Army Gen. Frank J. Grass, chief of the National Guard Bureau, presided over the April 18 re-enlistment ceremony at the "Thunder Over Louisville" air show held here. "As a veteran, I'm proud to wear this uniform," Fulkerson said. "That's why I re-enlisted." Fulkerson's decade-and-a-half of service to her country includes three deployments: one in Bosnia and two in Iraq. She is decorated with the Purple Heart, two Bronze Stars and the Army Commendation Medal with the "V" device for valor. **Unique leadership experience** "She has a lot of experience," the 223rd MP Company's commander, Army Capt. Jacob Lee, said of Fulkerson. "That gives her the ability to be very calm in her decision-making. A lot of the things we do, it's not her first go-around, so she doesn't hesitate to make a decision in the fog of war." Comrades who have deployed with Fulkerson say she is the consummate professional. "She's a really good noncommissioned officer, she's always done what she supposed to do and she has great personality," said Army Master Sgt. Mark Meunier, operations noncommissioned officer with the 617th MP Company. "She uses her experience from her civilian job and applies it to the military side. That's a big bonus she has." As an MP, Fulkerson and her troops are trained on a number of Army manuals and tasks to include infantry and explosive ordnance disposal. In her duties as a platoon sergeant, Fulkerson helps monitor and maintain access areas to military compounds, as well as ensure her soldiers are taken care of. "We can do entry control points, road security, as well as internal security where we patrol the gates," Fulkerson said. "We're multi-purpose when it comes down to it. If it's a task, we'll figure out how to do it because when you're deployed you have to do everything." **Like a 'Mom' to Soldiers** As a testament to her diligence in looking out for those in her platoon, Fulkerson was given the title of "Mom" during her last deployment in 2011. "I had a 15-PAX van with 'soccer mom' written on the back of it in the dust," she said. "One of my guys drew all the soldiers in our group in the back window. I give my guys anything I can give them. I guess that's why they call me 'Mom.'" As a leader, Fulkerson said she strives to impart the lessons she has learned coming up through the ranks to her Soldiers. "Respect your elders -- they know what they're talking about," she said. "Watch the older guys, learn what they're doing and do it. The hard times, the horrible times, are the things that glue you together. Embrace it." Fulkerson not only leads and guides her Soldiers on the battlefield, but she also mentors the students in her high school mathematics class at Warren East High School where she is known as "Ms. Fulkerson." "The common question everybody asks every year is, 'Have you ever killed anyone?'" Fulkerson said. "I teach them to not do that to veterans because it's wrong. It's a respect issue." **Back on duty** As the re-enlistment ceremony concluded, Fulkerson was congratulated by 198th MP Battalion commander, Army Maj. Timothy Starke -- a gesture that hit home with her. "The thing that really made a difference to us is when Maj. Starke came up and congratulated us," Fulkerson said. "That's the biggest connection for us because he knows our names. To me, that brings out the family side of the Guard. It's what keeps us coming back." With the pomp and circumstance of the ceremony at an end, Fulkerson walked down the Second Street Bridge, back into the swarming Thunder crowd of roughly 500,000. Her mission? To ensure the safety of her Soldiers and attendees at the air show.
 SHARE
 PRINT
 
 Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen Complete Combat Lifesaver Course
 By Sgt. 1st Class Shane Smith,
  38th Infantry Division Soldiers Conduct Warfighter Exercise
 By Master Sgt. Jeff Lowry,
  Puerto Rico Air National Guard Trains at Red Flag-Alaska
 By 156th Wing
  More
 Pennsylvania Army Guardsmen Complete Combat Lifesaver Course Guard News • 3 hours ago
 38th Infantry Division Soldiers Conduct Warfighter Exercise Guard News • 11 hours ago
 Puerto Rico Air National Guard Trains at Red Flag-Alaska Guard News • 11 hours ago
 Air National Guard Conducts Sentry Savannah Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 Hawaii Air National Guard Hosts Sentry Aloha Joint Exercise Guard News • yesterday
 2024 (196)  2023 (427)  2022 (526)  2021 (697)  2020 (936)  2019 (387)  2018 (323)  2017 (346)  2016 (245)  2015 (356)  2014 (399)  2013 (469)  2012 (556)  2011 (533)  2010 (1071)  2009 (357)  2008 (638)  2007 (295)  2006 (188)
 Home
 Site Map
 Privacy & Security Policy
 Link Disclaimer
 Web Policy
 DOD Information Quality
 DOD Open GovernmentFOIA
 No FEAR Act
 Accessibility/Section 508
 Contact Us
 Army Guard Careers
 Air Guard Careers
 USA.gov
                    
Staying Connected
    XYouTubeFlickrFacebookInstagram
                 
                
                

Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil