Preview: To start off I wanted to introduce myself as Alicia Fuller and say I’ve been in the military (Air Force) for fourteen years and never really took my education serious because I was following my dad and uncles footsteps of traveling. Over the years I have dealt with loss inside of the Air Force but June 3rd 2021 shook me to my core when we found out one of the young airman took his life. The reason this affected me so much is the day prior I told him verbatim “Don’t sacrifice your mental health for a place that’s stable” and the very last thing he said to me leaving work was “Ok Fuller it’s time to check out” and that was the last I spoke to him or saw him alive. We are both parents of two kids and both struggled with mental battles so I did not take it well. This death and the response afterward are what pushed me reevaluate what I really wanted out of life and it shifted the entire course of my life. I started looking into sociology and what path I need to take so that I can become a social worker and finding a way to be a safe place to vent to for people like my co-worker. I have always been a very empathic person and this is what really sets my soul on fire and I want to honor his memory. I speak to his mom all the time and we are still reeling from it all almost 6 months later but I know I am on the right path. I began my classes as Pima Community College and took on four classes after an almost fifteen-year break from schooling and I have a 4.0 average right now. I truly believe this is what I am supposed to be doing to be true to myself and what I need to be the most beneficial mother I can. I don’t want anyone to ever feel like that ending everything is the only option so in the meantime until I attain my degrees I will be partners with local agencies to help veterans and anyone I encounter really. There are certain things in life that change your path and even after all that time in the military I know my heart is in helping people on a deeper level. I can’t promise I will always have straight A’s in every class I take but I can guarantee this is exactly what sets my soul on fire and I refuse to let that fire burn out. I’ve experienced the lows and I think that will give me a different edge to help people trust me enough to open up. If I can help one person then maybe they can help one person and all together we can lower the astronomical suicide rate that we are experiencing in and out of the military. Thank you for your consideration and I hope I conveyed enough of how much this means to me.

To start off I wanted to introduce myself as Alicia Fuller and say I’ve been in the military (Air Force) for fourteen years and never really took my education serious because I was following my dad and uncles footsteps of traveling. Over the years I have dealt with loss inside of the Air Force but June 3rd 2021 shook me to my core when we found out one of the young airman took his life. The reason this affected me so much is the day prior I told him verbatim “Don’t sacrifice your mental health for a place that’s stable” and the very last thing he said to me leaving work was “Ok Fuller it’s time to check out” and that was the last I spoke to him or saw him alive. We are both parents of two kids and both struggled with mental battles so I did not take it well. This death and the response afterward are what pushed me reevaluate what I really wanted out of life and it shifted the entire course of my life. I started looking into sociology and what path I need to take so that I can become a social worker and finding a way to be a safe place to vent to for people like my co-worker. I have always been a very empathic person and this is what really sets my soul on fire and I want to honor his memory. I speak to his mom all the time and we are still reeling from it all almost 6 months later but I know I am on the right path. I began my classes as Pima Community College and took on four classes after an almost fifteen-year break from schooling and I have a 4.0 average right now. I truly believe this is what I am supposed to be doing to be true to myself and what I need to be the most beneficial mother I can. I don’t want anyone to ever feel like that ending everything is the only option so in the meantime until I attain my degrees I will be partners with local agencies to help veterans and anyone I encounter really. There are certain things in life that change your path and even after all that time in the military I know my heart is in helping people on a deeper level. I can’t promise I will always have straight A’s in every class I take but I can guarantee this is exactly what sets my soul on fire and I refuse to let that fire burn out. I’ve experienced the lows and I think that will give me a different edge to help people trust me enough to open up. If I can help one person then maybe they can help one person and all together we can lower the astronomical suicide rate that we are experiencing in and out of the military. Thank you for your consideration and I hope I conveyed enough of how much this means to me.

In my lifetime I have lost four people to suicide and the last one is what really shook me. I have dealt with my own demons and what helped me was for one having a strong support system near and far. These people did not judge me at my worst so I wasn't forced to suppress the emotions coming out and that is a simple step when someone is in crisis. I also had people follow up with me and get me into a better environment where I nurtured the positives in life and was able to see out of the darkness but I do know its an ongoing process for the rest of my life. I think if people have a safe and accepting outlet then they wont feel the need to suppress which is what I've seen lead to the ideations. I’ve been in the military (Air Force) for fourteen years and over the years I have dealt with loss inside of the Air Force but June 3rd 2021 shook me to my core when we found out one of the young airman took his life. The reason this affected me so much is the day prior I told him verbatim “Don’t sacrifice your mental health for a place that’s stable” and the very last thing he said to me leaving work was “Ok Fuller it’s time to check out” and that was the last I spoke to him or saw him alive. Having readily available resources when people are in crisis are absolutely crucial and sometimes just listening are ways I think can prevent someone from taking it too far. Thank you for your consideration.

To start off I wanted to introduce myself as Alicia Fuller and say I’ve been in the military (Air Force) for fourteen years and never really took my education serious because I was following my dad and uncles footsteps of traveling. Over the years I have dealt with loss inside of the Air Force but June 3rd 2021 shook me to my core when we found out one of the young airman took his life. The reason this affected me so much is the day prior I told him verbatim “Don’t sacrifice your mental health for a place that’s stable” and the very last thing he said to me leaving work was “Ok Fuller it’s time to check out” and that was the last I spoke to him or saw him alive. We are both parents of two kids and both struggled with mental battles so I did not take it well. This death and the response afterward are what pushed me reevaluate what I really wanted out of life and it shifted the entire course of my life. I started looking into sociology and what path I need to take so that I can become a social worker and finding a way to be a safe place to vent to for people like my co-worker. I have always been a very empathic person and this is what really sets my soul on fire and I want to honor his memory. I speak to his mom all the time and we are still reeling from it all almost 6 months later but I know I am on the right path. I began my classes as Pima Community College and took on four classes after an almost fifteen-year break from schooling and I have a 4.0 average right now. I truly believe this is what I am supposed to be doing to be true to myself and what I need to be the most beneficial mother I can. I don’t want anyone to ever feel like that ending everything is the only option so in the meantime until I attain my degrees I will be partners with local agencies to help veterans and anyone I encounter really. There are certain things in life that change your path and even after all that time in the military I know my heart is in helping people on a deeper level. I can’t promise I will always have straight A’s in every class I take but I can guarantee this is exactly what sets my soul on fire and I refuse to let that fire burn out. I’ve experienced the lows and I think that will give me a different edge to help people trust me enough to open up. If I can help one person then maybe they can help one person and all together we can lower the astronomical suicide rate that we are experiencing in and out of the military. Thank you for your consideration and I hope I conveyed enough of how much this means to me.

To start off I wanted to introduce myself as Alicia Fuller and say I’ve been in the military (Air Force) for fourteen years and never really took my education serious because I was following my dad and uncles footsteps of traveling. Over the years I have dealt with loss inside of the Air Force but June 3rd 2021 shook me to my core when we found out one of the young airman took his life. The reason this affected me so much is the day prior I told him verbatim “Don’t sacrifice your mental health for a place that’s stable” and the very last thing he said to me leaving work was “Ok Fuller it’s time to check out” and that was the last I spoke to him or saw him alive. We are both parents of two kids and both struggled with mental battles so I did not take it well. This death and the response afterward are what pushed me reevaluate what I really wanted out of life and it shifted the entire course of my life. I started looking into sociology and what path I need to take so that I can become a social worker and finding a way to be a safe place to vent to for people like my co-worker. I have always been a very empathic person and this is what really sets my soul on fire and I want to honor his memory. I speak to his mom all the time and we are still reeling from it all almost 6 months later but I know I am on the right path. I began my classes as Pima Community College and took on four classes after an almost fifteen-year break from schooling and I have a 4.0 average right now. I truly believe this is what I am supposed to be doing to be true to myself and what I need to be the most beneficial mother I can. I don’t want anyone to ever feel like that ending everything is the only option so in the meantime until I attain my degrees I will be partners with local agencies to help veterans and anyone I encounter really. There are certain things in life that change your path and even after all that time in the military I know my heart is in helping people on a deeper level. I can’t promise I will always have straight A’s in every class I take but I can guarantee this is exactly what sets my soul on fire and I refuse to let that fire burn out. Thank you for your consideration and I hope I conveyed enough of how much this means to me.

I started my 14 year career off pretty carefree until the traumas started to pile up and I was forced to address it. I think for the longest there was I mindset of suck it up and keep moving but I had to get into therapy and trust myself along with others enough to help me. I’m still dealing with things but below you will find how I got to the path I’m on now. My empathy has always been there but it is at the forefront of my mind and passion right now. Over the years I have dealt with loss inside of the Air Force but June 3rd 2021 shook me to my core when we found out one of the young airman took his life. The reason this affected me so much is the day prior I told him verbatim “Don’t sacrifice your mental health for a place that’s stable” and the very last thing he said to me leaving work was “Ok Fuller it’s time to check out” and that was the last I spoke to him or saw him alive. We are both parents of two kids and both struggled with mental battles so I did not take it well. This death and the response afterward are what pushed me reevaluate what I really wanted out of life and it shifted the entire course of my life. I have never had a gut check like that in my life. I did memorial skydives for him the next day with pieces of his uniform to send back to his daughters. I started looking into sociology and what path I need to take so that I can become a social worker and finding a way to be a safe place to vent to for people like my co-worker. I have always been a very empathic person and this is what really sets my soul on fire and I want to honor his memory. I speak to his mom all the time and we are still reeling from it all almost 6 months later but I know I am on the right path. I began my classes as Pima Community College and took on four classes after an almost fifteen-year break from schooling and I have a 4.0 average right now. I truly believe this is what I am supposed to be doing to be true to myself and what I need to be the most beneficial mother I can. I don’t want anyone to ever feel like that ending everything is the only option so in the meantime until I attain my degrees I will be partners with local agencies to help veterans and anyone I encounter really. There are certain things in life that change your path and even after all that time in the military I know my heart is in helping people on a deeper level. I can’t promise I will always have straight A’s in every class I take but I can guarantee this is exactly what sets my soul on fire and I refuse to let that fire burn out. I’ve experienced the lows and I think that will give me a different edge to help people trust me enough to open up. If I can help one person then maybe they can help one person and all together we can lower the astronomical suicide rate that we are experiencing in and out of the military. Thank you for your consideration and I hope I conveyed enough of how much this means to me.

I have three older siblings and one parent that cycle in and out of jail and one in prison for over eight years. My father got full custody of me when I was 4 years old because of the drug use and jail time my mother was involved in. There was a strong contrast between staying with my mom and dad in neighborhoods and education level. My mother’s environment was noticeably more unstable and she would get me to lie to my father about where she was staying which would be a strange man or a shelter. My two older brothers on my mom’s side followed her example and spent most of their adult life committing small crimes and escalating to armed robbery. It got me into the Air Force and out of that environment because I see where it leads. I was not heavy into my education but I knew I wanted structure and a better life for myself. When I was 11, my mother went to prison for 2 years and I could not really wrap my head around why she would choose that life. My father on the other hand was a retired sergeant from the Army and instilled many positive mottos and practices in my life. I was always doing my homework and had a lot of structure. I joined the Air Force at 19 and stayed in for 14 years. My mother’s side has distanced themselves from me over the years and moved to no communication unfortunately. Recently I read a book called the Other Wes Moore and it was interesting seeing how a few decisions can change your entire life and I talked with my stepmom and she mentioned had I grown up with my mom I easily could have lived the cycle of poverty. It has all brought a grit and resiliency out of me where I know my mom and siblings decisions don't have to be my own and it is possible to break generational curses. I love them from a far so I don't stray. I am full time student with a 4.0 and hungry for more growth. Thank you for your consideration.

In my 14 year Air Force I started off pretty carefree until the traumas started to pile up and I was forced to address it. I am a survivor of assault and that experience I tried to bury until I was harassed on deployment, everything resurfaced, and I was in full-blown panic attacks reliving what had happened to be in previous year. I think for the longest there was I mindset of suck it up and keep moving but I had to get into therapy and trust myself and others enough to help me. I’m still dealing with things but below you will find how I got to the path im on now. My empathy has always been there but it is at the forefront of my mind and passion right now. Over the years I have dealt with loss inside of the Air Force but June 3rd 2021 shook me to my core when we found out one of the young airman took his life. The reason this affected me so much is the day prior I told him verbatim “Don’t sacrifice your mental health for a place that’s stable” and the very last thing he said to me leaving work was “Ok Fuller it’s time to check out” and that was the last I spoke to him or saw him alive. We are both parents of two kids and both struggled with mental battles so I did not take it well. This death and the response afterward are what pushed me reevaluate what I really wanted out of life and it shifted the entire course of my life. I started looking into sociology and what path I need to take so that I can become a social worker and finding a way to be a safe place to vent to for people like my co-worker. I have always been a very empathic person and this is what really sets my soul on fire and I want to honor his memory. I speak to his mom all the time and we are still reeling from it all almost 6 months later but I know I am on the right path. I began my classes as Pima Community College and took on four classes after an almost fifteen-year break from schooling and I have a 4.0 average right now. I truly believe this is what I am supposed to be doing to be true to myself and what I need to be the most beneficial mother I can. I don’t want anyone to ever feel like that ending everything is the only option so in the meantime until I attain my degrees I will be partners with local agencies to help veterans and anyone I encounter really. There are certain things in life that change your path and even after all that time in the military I know my heart is in helping people on a deeper level. I can’t promise I will always have straight A’s in every class I take but I can guarantee this is exactly what sets my soul on fire and I refuse to let that fire burn out. I’ve experienced the lows and I think that will give me a different edge to help people trust me enough to open up. If I can help one person then maybe they can help one person and all together we can lower the astronomical suicide rate that we are experiencing in and out of the military. Thank you for your consideration and I hope I conveyed enough of how much this means to me.

To start off I wanted to introduce myself as Alicia Fuller and say I’ve been in the military (Air Force) for fourteen years and never really took my education serious because I was following my dad and uncles footsteps of traveling. My father retired from the Army and my uncle retired from the Air Force. My father supported me joined but said it needed to be the Air Force and not the Army because it wasn’t built for females, his words. I learned early in life about the structure and 15 minutes early all the time. My uncle spent 18 of his 22 years overseas but I was all stateside which was pretty funny. Over the years I have dealt with loss inside of the Air Force but June 3rd 2021 shook me to my core when we found out one of the young airman took his life. The reason this affected me so much is the day prior I told him verbatim “Don’t sacrifice your mental health for a place that’s stable” and the very last thing he said to me leaving work was “Ok Fuller it’s time to check out” and that was the last I spoke to him or saw him alive. We are both parents of two kids and both struggled with mental battles so I did not take it well. This death and the response afterward are what pushed me reevaluate what I really wanted out of life and it shifted the entire course of my life. I started looking into sociology and what path I need to take so that I can become a social worker and finding a way to be a safe place to vent to for people like my co-worker. I have always been a very empathic person and this is what really sets my soul on fire and I want to honor his memory. I speak to his mom all the time and we are still reeling from it all almost 6 months later but I know I am on the right path. I began my classes as Pima Community College and took on four classes after an almost fifteen-year break from schooling and I have a 4.0 average right now. I truly believe this is what I am supposed to be doing to be true to myself and what I need to be the most beneficial mother I can. I don’t want anyone to ever feel like that ending everything is the only option so in the meantime until I attain my degrees I will be partners with local agencies to help veterans and anyone I encounter really. There are certain things in life that change your path and even after all that time in the military I know my heart is in helping people on a deeper level. I can’t promise I will always have straight A’s in every class I take but I can guarantee this is exactly what sets my soul on fire and I refuse to let that fire burn out. I’ve experienced the lows and I think that will give me a different edge to help people trust me enough to open up. If I can help one person then maybe they can help one person and all together we can lower the astronomical suicide rate that we are experiencing in and out of the military. Thank you for your consideration and I hope I conveyed enough of how much this means to me.

To start off I wanted to introduce myself as Alicia Fuller and say I’ve been in the military (Air Force) for fourteen years and never really took my education serious because I was following my dad and uncles footsteps of traveling. Over the years I have dealt with loss inside of the Air Force but June 3rd 2021 shook me to my core when we found out one of the young airman took his life. The reason this affected me so much is the day prior I told him verbatim “Don’t sacrifice your mental health for a place that’s stable” and the very last thing he said to me leaving work was “Ok Fuller it’s time to check out” and that was the last I spoke to him or saw him alive. We are both parents of two kids and both struggled with mental battles so I did not take it well. This death and the response afterward are what pushed me reevaluate what I really wanted out of life and it shifted the entire course of my life. I started looking into sociology and what path I need to take so that I can become a social worker and finding a way to be a safe place to vent to for people like my co-worker. I have always been a very empathic person and this is what really sets my soul on fire and I want to honor his memory. I speak to his mom all the time and we are still reeling from it all almost 6 months later but I know I am on the right path. I began my classes as Pima Community College and took on four classes after an almost fifteen-year break from schooling and I have a 4.0 average right now. I truly believe this is what I am supposed to be doing to be true to myself and what I need to be the most beneficial mother I can. I don’t want anyone to ever feel like that ending everything is the only option so in the meantime until I attain my degrees I will be partners with local agencies to help veterans and anyone I encounter really. There are certain things in life that change your path and even after all that time in the military I know my heart is in helping people on a deeper level. I can’t promise I will always have straight A’s in every class I take but I can guarantee this is exactly what sets my soul on fire and I refuse to let that fire burn out. I’ve experienced the lows and I think that will give me a different edge to help people trust me enough to open up. If I can help one person then maybe they can help one person and all together we can lower the astronomical suicide rate that we are experiencing in and out of the military. Thank you for your consideration and I hope I conveyed enough of how much this means to me.