JOINT BASE SAN ANTONIO-RANDOLPH, Texas -- Women have been a part of the military since 1775, where they served as nurses, cooks and took care of mending and washing uniforms. Some even joined under false names so that they could go into combat. Now, none of that is necessary, especially in the United States Air Force where more women serve than in any other branch.
Although times were hard in the past, and women are still overcoming roadblocks, that is not the case for every woman who has served. Chief Master Sgt. Fabrienne Burnett, Airman and Family Care Directorate Superintendent, recalls how amazing her leadership and wingmen have treated her throughout her career.
“I think it’s awesome being a woman in the military today. It is a great feeling to know that I am able to serve in a capacity that I want to serve and there are no limits to what we can do, what I can do, regardless of what it is,” Chief said. My leadership and wingmen have always made me feel like I was truly their sister in arms, their wingman and an Airman. I am truly blessed in that arena.”
Chief Burnett is a small-town girl from Greenville, Alabama; joining the Air Force in 1996. Although it wasn’t her first choice, she had already signed up for the Delayed Entry Program with the Army and completed three years of Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), her cousin strongly insisted she consider the Air Force instead. On a hot day in June, she was carried off to Basic Military Training with no idea of what to expect.
“It was scary. I had only been around my family my entire life and we are very tight knit. I love them to death,” Chief said. “I have a baby sister and an older brother, so we always depended on each other and I was a second hand for my mom. It was scary because I didn’t know what I was walking into.”
It may have been an anxious time for Chief Burnett leaving her family, but she was well prepared and driven to succeed. Chief, and her siblings, were raised by their mom who excelled at being a single mother, working ten to fifteen hours a day, providing for her children and instilling them with great values.
“My mom is one of the strongest individuals I’ve ever met in my life and she is the person who created the core of who I am. She would get us up and on the bus for school, work hard all day, come home, cook us big meals, ensure our homework was done, get us to bed and do it all over again,” Chief said. “She is a phenomenal woman and she taught me to be the best person and human I can be, and it carried over into me being the best Airman I can be.”
Even with amazing qualities passed down from family, it can be difficult being a leader in the military when having to manage a diversity of people, personalities, cultures and differences. The Air Force strives to foster an environment of open communication and connectedness to help improve on leadership qualities and Airmen morale.
“We have to foster a culture of respect within our service. Respect for all of our Airmen and guardians and respect for our differences,” Chief said. “Our differences are what makes us strong. We need to see them, understand them and use them to strengthen our force.”
Chief Fabrienne Burnett is approaching her 25-year mark in the world’s greatest Air Force. She loves her country, her job and everything that comes with it and has no plans of hanging up her uniform just yet.
“I plan on continuing to serve in the military, have fun, support our Airmen and be a part of this force until the Air Force, or Airmen, say “hey Chief I’m tired of you.” Until we get to that point, I am in for the long haul,” Chief said. “I want to be able to serve our Airmen in whatever capacity that they need, support them, guide them and provide mentorship. I know that the hands that we’re leaving this in are the most capable and best that we have across the world.”
Be sure to visit our AFW2 social media pages to watch Chief Burnett’s full video, tune into the virtual social events hosted by staff and warriors. To learn more about the AFW2 Program, or to refer an Airman, visit www.woundedwarrior.af.mil for additional information and resources.