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Deployed Spotlight: Tech Sgt. Latoya Saxton

  • Published
  • By Lt. j. g. Charity Edgar
  • Resolute Support Headquarters
KABUL, Afghanistan - --  Latoya Saxton was one of six children growing up in the small town of Camden, Arkansas. She knew her parents wouldn't be able to pay for her college, so after a friend told her about joining the U.S. Air Force, she decided to sign up.

"I wanted a better way of life," explained Saxton, who enlisted in 1999. While travel and educational assistance are significant to Saxton, she says the most important benefit of serving has been personal growth.

"I used to be shy and wouldn't talk to anybody," said Saxton. Now 16 years into her career, Saxton is a technical sergeant and has held a variety of leadership roles, most recently as an NCO in charge of administration operations at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, New Jersey.

Her current job may be her most challenging yet. Saxton is deployed to Resolute Support Headquarters in Kabul, Afghanistan. She is assigned to Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan, which enables, trains, advises and assists by providing essential resources in support and continued development of the Afghan National Defense Security Forces.

"I am the admin support NCO. I process correspondence, R&R [rest and recuperation] requests, mail, TDY [temporary duty assignments] and welcome letters," said Saxton, who arrived in theater this past March.

"I am only here six months so I had to hit the ground running after I arrived," Saxton explained. "I needed to learn my job and learn it quickly, because the mission continues and products need to be completed."

While Saxton has deployed before, she had never served in a combined, joint environment with other countries and services.

"I didn't know what to expect," said Saxton. "But it has been a great experience working with coalition partners, as well as the other [U.S. military] branches."

"Learning other regulations and procedures and talking to coalition partners has been an eye opener," continued Saxton. "I get to learn about other cultures, and that's something I know I would not have been able to experience if I hadn't joined the military."

She also appreciates the opportunity to make life a little easier for her fellow service members through her coordination of R&R requests.

"R&R is important because it gives service members time to relax and take a break in day-to-day operations," said Saxton. "I know these jobs have long hours and it can be stressful here, so that opportunity to recuperate and spend time with loved ones means when people return they are refreshed and ready to get back to the mission and get the job done."

U.S. Air Force Capt. Fenesha Friar, the officer in charge of the Combined Security Transition Command - Afghanistan Administrative and Logistics Operations Cell says Saxton takes care of some of the most critical tasks in the office.

"Whether it's expeditiously processing packages related to high-dollar support projects for our Afghan partners or simply lifting morale by facilitating R&R requests for fellow service members and civilians, Tech Sgt. Saxton does a great job of taking care of our people as they take care of training, advising and assisting our Afghan partners to strengthen their country," said Friar. "She makes it look easy with the exceptional amount of poise and professionalism that she exhibits each and every day."

While Saxton is proud to be in Afghanistan serving her country, she looks forward to returning to New Jersey. One of the first things she plans to do once she is back stateside is enjoy a chopped antipasto salad at her favorite Italian restaurant. Until then, she will continue to support her fellow service members and ensure they are able to complete the mission.