Her Story
About Sheree
Sheree Harper serves as a Security Forces Member in the United States Air Force, where she has built five years of experience in force protection, base defense, anti-terrorism operations, and asset protection. Her responsibilities include safeguarding personnel and critical infrastructure, operating anti-terrorism systems, and supporting security operations in high-pressure environments. She recently returned from a combat deployment in Qatar, further strengthening her operational experience and commitment to mission readiness. Harper's areas of expertise include counterterrorism, security operations, and providing exceptional customer service while maintaining professionalism, accountability, and compassion. Alongside her military career, Harper is pursuing a B.S. in Computer Science at Regis University, expanding her technical knowledge and preparing for the evolving demands of modern security and air defense operations. Much of her professional expertise has been developed through hands-on experience, military education, and on-the-job training. She is also actively involved in the Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) program as a facilitator and ambassador and gives back through volunteer work with You Won't Take My Voice. Harper intends to make the military a lifelong career and is motivated by the opportunity to demonstrate that women can excel and lead in a traditionally male-dominated field. Family, faith, integrity, and personal growth are central to Harper's life. She credits her success to the strong values instilled by her parents and the guidance of mentors throughout her military career, emphasizing the importance of applying their wisdom to daily operations. She encourages young women entering the field to respect themselves and their positions, remain mentally prepared, know their responsibilities, and continuously seek knowledge. Harper believes strongly in maintaining her moral principles and speaking up when something does not align with her values. Outside of work, she prioritizes spending time with her family and maintaining a healthy, balanced lifestyle through working out and practicing yoga, which complement her commitment to discipline, wellness, and personal development.
Her Interview
Ten minutes with Sheree
01What do you attribute your success to?
I attribute my success to the strong family values my parents instilled in me throughout my life. Their guidance continues to influence me today, even as an adult, and has provided me with a foundation of discipline, integrity, and perseverance. I have also been fortunate to have great mentors throughout my military career who have shared valuable experiences and wisdom. What has made the greatest difference is not simply listening to their advice, but intentionally applying those lessons to my daily life and operational responsibilities.
02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?
The best career advice I have received is to never allow other people to control the direction of my career. There will be times when others may not understand my vision, aspirations, or passion, and their doubts or discouragement can sometimes make me question my own path. I have learned to trust my abilities, remain focused on my goals, and make decisions based on where I want to go rather than someone else’s expectations. I have also been encouraged never to feel intimidated by working in a male-dominated career field. I believe in bringing confidence, competence, and authenticity to every opportunity and creating my own path regardless of the environment.
03What advice would you give to young women entering your industry?
My advice to young women entering my industry is to respect yourself, your position, and the responsibility that comes with it. Be prepared for the mission at all times, both mentally and professionally, and make it a priority to know your job. Working in a male-dominated career field can present unique challenges, so knowledge and preparation are powerful tools. If there is something you do not know or understand, take the initiative to research it, learn from it, and become knowledgeable. The more prepared and confident you are in your abilities, the better equipped you will be to succeed.
04What are the biggest challenges or opportunities in your field right now?
One of the biggest challenges in my field right now is a lack of resources. In many cases, we have the knowledge, training, and readiness to accomplish the mission, but we do not always have the funding needed for certain systems and technologies that could improve efficiency. While these resources would not necessarily make the work easier, they could enhance our capabilities, streamline processes, and allow us to operate more effectively. I see continued investment in the right systems and resources as an important opportunity to strengthen performance and better support the mission.
05What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?
Morality and integrity are among the most important values in both my professional and personal life. I believe it is important to remain grounded in my principles and not allow my duties or responsibilities to compromise my personal values. There may be times when I am asked to do something that does not align with what I believe is right, and in those moments, I believe it is essential to advocate for myself and speak up respectfully. Having the courage to question something when it does not feel right is an important part of maintaining integrity, and I believe we should never be afraid to use our voice when our values are at stake.
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