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After 53 years, education counselor retires from Air Force

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Joel Mease
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
SHAW AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. --  After more than 53 years of federal service, Shaw's education counselor will say good-bye to the Air Force Feb. 6.

Gail Fuller's half-century of service gave him the chance to travel the world, visiting countries like Korea, Newfoundland, Spain, Vietnam, England and Panama. 

Mr. Fuller said seeing the world was one of his favorite perks as part of the Air Force team. Mr. Fuller enlisted in the Air Force in 1951 and spent basic training in Sampson, N.Y. He joined the service as a security and law enforcement officer and soon after was sent to the Korean War. During his one year in Korea, Mr. Fuller operated war dogs. 

"As I understand it, the war dogs were a holdover from World War II and considered more of an attack animal -- a forerunner for the security and drug dogs presently utilized by our security forces. The dog I was assigned was not as vicious as some. We had a couple of animals that were used during the height of the conflict with kills to their credit. Just as things are here, we were regular security force personnel assigned a dog," said Mr. Fuller. 

"After returning to the U.S., I had the opportunity to attend the Sentry Dog School at Fort Carson, Colo., then had a follow-on assignment to Lincoln, Neb. where I handled a sentry dog for a couple of years," he said. "Then the dog became smarter than me, so they kept the dog and sent me to Spain." 

Not too long after fighting in Korea, he was sent to Vietnam. During the Tet Offensive, Mr. Fuller served on fire and ambush teams. He also worked as a forward observer with Army units. 

"In Vietnam, we were responsible for the security of the bases. Security forces deployed ambush teams outside the perimeter of the bases to pick up any hostile activity directed toward friendly forces. We would select a spot during the day and then, after dark, (we would) post a couple of troops at that site where they would remain until morning or they picked up hostile activity," he said. 

Mr. Miller said the purpose of the teams was to show the enemy forces were in the area. 

"Fire teams were troops directed toward enemy activity to repel their advance. We also had search teams that would go out into the hamlets and rice paddies following a conflict to sweep the areas to ensure no hostile forces were still around. I was amazed and proud at how our young men and women rose to the occasion," he said. 

After Vietnam, Mr. Fuller served his remaining active-duty years as a first sergeant before retiring in 1977 as a master sergeant. Before retiring, Mr. Fuller said he took advantage of the G.I. Bill and received a bachelor's degree in liberal arts and sciences from Utica College of Syracuse University, N.Y., and a master's degree in management science from State University of New York at Binghamton, N.Y. 

After retiring from the Air Force, Mr. Fuller continued working for the Air Force as a civilian law enforcement guard. It wasn't long, however, before his career path led to what he said was a very rewarding job -- working in education. 

When asked what led him to change jobs, he said it was the weather. 

"I was working at a gate in 30-degrees below zero weather when the base education officer came through and asked if I wanted a job with the education office. It wasn't too hard of a decision for me," said Mr. Fuller. 

As an education counselor, Mr. Fuller said he has been blessed to work hand-in-hand with young Airmen. He said that he will miss working with them the most when he retires. 

"Helping people in education has been very important to me. When you run into a young captain that you helped receive a commission, it is a real rewarding experience," he said. 

Mr. Fuller said associating with the young troops was definitely among the highlights of his long career with the Air Force. Mr. Fuller's advice to Airmen is to enjoy the service while they can because life's time is always fleeting. 

While Mr. Fuller admits he's a little nervous about retiring Monday, he said he is very excited about spending his remaining time with his wife, Carol, his son, Michael, and three daughters, Susan, Linda and Andrea, and his five granddaughters. 

After he retires, Mr. Fuller said he and his wife will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary on a cruise to the Bahamas. 

Mr. Fuller said he expects to remain active and even joked that his wife already has a list of things for him to do. He said he expects to find some volunteer work and will remain in the Sumter-Shaw area. 

"Gail Fuller is a valued member of the 20th Mission Support Squadron and Team Shaw, a gentleman, a true professional and a great American. This patriot is the epitome of our Air Force core value 'service before self,' as he has served his nation proudly and with distinction for over a half century. The Bible suggests that God created all men equally; I agree, however, somewhere in the fine print, Mr. Fuller must have received an added dose of duty, honor and love of country. The reason? (His) 26 years in the Air Force and another 27 years as a civil servant equate to legendary patriotism and a lifetime of service to a grateful nation. Mr. Fuller, I salute you, sir, and I am truly honored to have had the great opportunity to serve by your side," said Maj. Rex Vanderwood, 20th MSS commander.