Meet SSgt. Rebecca Trujillo

The 5th SFAB’s youngest advisor always striving to be the best

By J.M. Simpson on September 5, 2022

SSgt. Rebecca Trujillo's desire to be different has led her to being the youngest advisor with the 5th Security Forces Assistance Brigade (SFAB).

"Growing up, I was outspoken and loved to be the one that was different from the rest of the group," said the native of Plattsburgh, New York.

This sense of being different and wanting something more and better in her life led her to enlist in the Army after graduating from high school.

"I didn't want to just get by, or live paycheck to paycheck - I always wanted to do more, be more," she continued.

Trujillo began her Army career in 2015 as an Abrams tank mechanic; in 2019 she reclassified as a human resources specialist and served with the 4-6 Heavy Attack Reconnaissance Squadron.

"I still wanted to do more; I wanted to help more," she continued, "and I wanted to be the one person others could rely on to help them get the job done."

Her willingness to improve herself while helping other soldiers led her to volunteer to join the 5th SFAB in 2019 as a human resources specialist.

The brigade is comprised of about 800 volunteer soldiers who make up 64 advisor teams situated in one of six battalions. These force packages train together for a year prior to deploying for six months.

Each team rotates so that at any one time one-third of the brigade is employed in the Indo-Pacific region while the other two-thirds of the brigade are at JBLM resetting and preparing for future missions.

"I remain very eager to learn and determined to try and be the best that the 5th SFAB is," Trujillo explained.

She added that volunteering to serve with the brigade also brings with it a signing bonus, help with attending school and promotions.

"This is everything a non-commissioned officer dreams of," Trujillo stressed.

"Everyone in the 5th is pulling their fair share ... they are being a team of teams. The atmosphere, the level of responsibility, the willingness and passion of others truly changed my perspective on the Army and added a new standard in my book when it comes to serving in an organization."

She added that the brigade has presented her with some different situations that have pushed her out of her comfort zone.

"Sometimes we get stuck in our own comfort bubbles, and it's great to get thrown into unfamiliar territory," she continued.

She added that learning how to brief, how to research, and how to build relationships with different echelons, units and with civilians has been challenging work but that has its own rewards.  

"I want to help other soldiers and challenge myself at the same time," concluded Trujillo.

"Challenge yourself, take the plunge and think about joining us; and you'll be surprised with how you measure up. Always strive to beat the bare minimum."