Article Display

Sisters in arms and by blood

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Cassandana Juckett
  • 20th Operations Support Squadron
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  Re-enlisting is a proud moment for any service member, but for Staff Sgt. Dorothy English it brought both pride in service and in heritage. 

In an example of inter-service cooperation, her oath was administered by Army 2nd Lt. Judith Morgan, her older sister. 

Lieutenant Morgan, who flew in from Aberdeen Proving Ground, Md., where she is stationed with the 16th Ordnance Battalion, made the ceremony on time. Surrounded by leadership from her shop and co-workers from the 20th Operations Support Squadron, Sergeant English was "through the roof with enthusiasm," as she put it, with the presence of her sister. 

"My sister asked me when I received my commission to administer her re-enlistment oath, and now I am able to comply," said Lieutenant Morgan. "I'm honored that my younger sister, who I inspired to join the military, would request my administration of the oath. I am glad to serve in this capacity. It was a humbling experience." 

Sergeant English, who has been selected for promotion to technical sergeant, was also presented a certificate with Army and Air Force motifs commemorating the occasion that she said, "blended the branches." 

The spark that drove Sergeant English to join the military was after seeing the success her sister achieved during her initial enlistment in the Army, and it was her older sister who told her a military career in the Air Force was the way to go. 

"In our family there is no distinction between services, everyone is equal," said Lieutenant Morgan. 

During Sergeant English's eight years of active duty she has served as a in air transportation, and has recently cross-trained into the intelligence analyst career field. She has deployed three times to Oman, Qatar and Baghdad. 

"I am looking forward to the growth and development that the Air Force is undergoing, and would like to be an active participant," said Sergeant English. 

Future goals could include Officer Training School in the next three years. The two sisters, originally from Jamaica and transplanted to the United States, are an example of how the United States' military branches are interrelated.