Our Veterans: Silvester Fulmore, Rail Operations Manager

Published on November 11, 2024

Veterans Day is an opportunity to honor those who previously served in the United States Armed Forces. In addition to thanking all Veterans for their service, we also wanted to highlight a few of our own. This year, we're introducing you to a small number of the many Veterans who work for the City of Charlotte. Read or watch below as they share more about their time in the military and how they were able to transition to a career in public service.

Name: Silvester Fulmore

Job Title: Rail Operations Manager (Maintenance Away Manager), Charlotte Area Transit System

MOS: 45K Army Repairman and 95B Military Police Officer

Branch: Army

Length of Service: 8 years  

Joined the City of Charlotte: 2007

Why did you want to join the military? 

When I got out of high school, I went to Claflin (University), and I did my first year at Claflin and I realized it’s pretty expensive for the family, so I decided to join the military. 

What branch did you join and why?

Army. I was in school one day and I said you know what let me walk to the recruiting station. I was actually in college in Orangeburg at Claflin, and when I got there they sold me all this. They said "hey we can pay for your college, it’ll be great" and I said, "okay, where do I sign?" And I signed.

What job did you do in the Army? 

Repairman and Military Police Officer. I kind of wanted to get a skill set, so that offered the electrical and the mechanical side and, so, I took on those jobs and after that I said let me see what the law enforcement side offers.  

What was it like working as a repairman? 

It was good. We got to do a lot. Actually, the M1A1 Abrams, the tanks, I was over the whole team, so we built them from scratch. So, from just a shell we rebuilt them and then a lot of the troubleshooting we did with the components that were inside. We were the base team, so we took care of all the heavy stuff.

What’s it like building something from scratch? 

It was awesome because when you finish, you’re like this is what I did. You got a whole tank, M1 Abram that is built from nothing to now. It’s a unit they are utilizing in the war.   

When did you decide to leave the military? 

I really didn’t want to leave but what happened was after Desert Storm we got back, and we were MPs (Military Police), and they said you’re going out to the field. We went out to the field this particular day and it was raining and it was wet, and I said "you know what, I’ve had enough. I’m now going to exit the military." And that’s when I exited the military.

How much did the military change you? 

It changed me a lot. When you experience the things that you experience in the military, you go through changes, but you adapt to your environment and the surroundings. And for me, I look at a lot of my fellow Veterans and I look at them and say, "hey that could have been me, but here I am." I took it as a way to become stronger, to elevate myself, to grow and to use what I learned in the military to advance my life, and it’s actually been a great help.

What led you to work for the City of Charlotte?

The company I was working at, I ended up losing my right hand. So, the job came up with the City of Charlotte, and here’s what I love about the city... When it became open, they called me and said, "hey we got an opening for a position" and I said, "ah, well, you know I’m an amputee." And you know what they said? "Do you want to come in for the interview or not?" And that right there did it for me. Right then I knew that hey I want to be here with the City of Charlotte because they didn’t look just at me, they looked at my skill set. I came in, took the test, took the exam and they hired me on.

How long have you been working for the city?

I joined in 2007.

How does it feel saying you’ve been with the City of Charlotte almost 20 years? 

I love it. It’s a great place because I grew through the ranks. When I came with the City of Charlotte, I was going for supervisor of rail car maintenance, and I turned it down initially because I wanted to grow. I wanted to prove myself. I thought me being an amputee coming in that I had to prove myself. My mindset was strong because what the military taught me was discipline and structure and organization and things like that, so I came in and just worked the job and finally the position came open, and I applied and became the supervisor. Then from that my career just started kind of taking off within the city. 

How has the military helped you grow into the roles you’ve held within the City of Charlotte? 

Leadership. It taught me what it takes to be a leader and how to lead, how to deal with personnel and situations. When you are placed in a situation, how you handle the situation. So, it kind of prepared me for that. Administrative wise, it prepares you for all these things and challenges you may face. In the military you have challenges you’re faced with but in the real world because of the things you’ve been through in the military, you’re able to grow and adapt. Then you’re able to be a good leader and try to be a good leader to actually provide for your team and be able to mentor your team.

When you look back on your life, would you join the military again? 

I’d go back. I said a couple of months ago if I had to do it all again, I’d do it. I’d do it again and this time I’d stay.

Thank you for taking the time to get to know one of Silvester Fulmore, one of the many Veterans who currently works at the City of Charlotte. To all our resident Veterans in the Queen City, we thank you for your service.

If you find yourself in need of assistance this Veterans Day, or any day after, please visit our Veteran Resources in Charlotte page.