ABERDEEN PROVING GROUND, Md. — Staff Sgt. Larita Fullwood aims to bring joy and spread positivity as the U.S. Army Communications-Electronics Command’s religious affairs non-commissioned officer in charge.
Fullwood, who hails from Hampton, Virginia, serves as the CECOM Chaplain (Col.) Seth George’s right hand as the religious affairs NCOIC. Together, they make up the CECOM
Unit Ministry Team. The UMT facilitates religious support for Soldiers, Army Civilians, contractors, and family members. As a religious affairs NCOIC, she has traveled the world meeting members of the CECOM workforce.
“I like the diversity of the workforce,” Fullwood said, about what she enjoys about her job.
Fullwood said the UMT provides religious support and counseling for Soldiers and civilians. They also help connect the CECOM workforce with community resources.
As we head into the holiday season, Fullwood recommends that people connect with others by attending post-events and volunteering. She acknowledges that the holiday season can be a difficult time for some Soldiers who are away from their family and friends.
“Be intentional, step outside of your comfort zone, and be involved in your community because we have so many things to offer on this installation,” she said.
Fullwood has served with CECOM since 2017. During the pandemic, she received orders to go to Baumholder, Germany. However, due to a medical condition, she was placed in a program for disabled Soldiers called Continuation on Active Duty. After she was placed in this program, she worked in the CECOM G1 for two years in a developmental assignment and then returned to her role as the religious affairs NCOIC.
Called to serve the nation
Fullwood decided to join the military after the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks while she was in college. She said the attack impacted her personally, because her aunt was working in the Pentagon when it was hit. After she found out her aunt was moved to safety, she decided to serve.
“I realized that I wanted to contribute some way, somehow,” she said.
Fullwood served in the Army Reserve from 2002 to 2008 and completed a one-year tour supporting Operation Enduring Freedom. At the time, her military occupational specialty was a 92A, which is an automated logistical specialist. While she was supporting OEF, she attended religious services and was inspired to join the active-duty service. Her MOS is a 56M, a chaplain’s assistant now known as a religious affairs specialist.
She has deployed three times on active duty, supporting Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and New Dawn. Her last duty assignment was at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, where she served as an NCOIC responsible for three chapels. Approximately 10,000 people attended these services weekly.
"That was a very high-driven assignment; I was very busy," she said.
While in service, she pursued a Master of Divinity in Systematic Theology from Saint Leo University in Florida. She also holds a bachelor's degree in criminal justice and an associate's degree in liberal arts from SLU.
Inspiring others through music
As a Soldier, Fullwood uses her musical talent to sing the national anthem at installation and community events. She describes singing the national anthem as “a very patriotic, proud moment.” The national anthem is a song of victory, she added.
“Music is my passion, it’s my heart,” she said.
Fullwood said she draws inspiration from Whitney Houston’s memorable rendition of the national anthem at Super Bowl XXV in 1991, which occurred while the country was at war with Iraq during Operation Desert Storm. When she sings the national anthem, she reflects on her deployments and the sacrifices other Soldiers have made before her.
“The words are heartfelt and meaningful to me because I have lived them,” she said.
Fullwood is also the president of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club, a private U.S. Army organization for enlisted NCOs. The club was created to "develop, inspire, and motivate the best leaders possible in the U.S. Army." Fullwood and other SAMC members frequently volunteer in the community.
Additionally, Fullwood gives her time by visiting students and offering religious support bimonthly at the Freestate ChalleNGe Academy, a tuition-free program for at-risk adolescents 16 to 18 years old, located on APG South (Edgewood).
"I never let my circumstances and my health dictate a limitation on me; I continue to serve and help," she said.
Retirement plans
Fullwood plans to retire on July 31, 2026. When she retires, her goal is to be a hospital chaplain. Next year, she will start her clinical pastoral education, which will be in the Johns Hopkins Burn Center.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, Fullwood had to receive treatment in the hospital for 45 days. She discovered first-hand how important it is to have visitors and aimed to “pay it forward” by visiting others while she was in the hospital.
“I was in pain, but my joy motivated me,” she explained.
Fullwood said she loves to help people and aims to give them joy and hope during a challenging time.
“Having people surrounding you, encouraging you to keep pushing, I wouldn’t be able to maintain my condition today if it wasn’t for that,” Fullwood said.
Fullwood said she also looks for ways she can give back to APG and CECOM and considers her fellow Soldiers “like family.”
"I love this community, and when I retire, I want to stay here," she said.
Social Sharing