LtCol Latisha Cooper, U.S. Air Force
I was born and raised in Florence, South Carolina. Growing up in a rural area I enjoyed gardening, reading, skating (where I could find a patch of concrete), and spending time with my five siblings. Much of my family worked in the farming industry so I spent a lot of time outdoors.
Following in the footsteps of my sister and cousins, I was heavily involved in Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (JROTC) in high school. In JROTC I learned about the history of the United States Air Force (USAF), the USAF core values, and current affairs shaping our nation. My JROTC unit participated in various community service events and drill competitions that I really enjoyed.
Four years of JROTC instilled a sense of patriotism or duty to country that transformed me. During my senior year, I was the Cadet Commander of my unit. I enjoyed the challenges of the position and the sense of comradery with my peers. For those reasons and because I needed money for college, I applied for and was awarded a four-year Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) scholarship to attend college at Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina.
At Clemson University, I majored in Electrical Engineering and was enrolled in their ROTC program, Detachment 770. Initially, I struggled academically. I believe this was primarily due to the fact that I didn’t have any prior exposure to the engineering field and I had no family members or acquaintances with experience in my chosen major. A second reason was because I isolated myself from my classmates who were predominantly male.
A great mentor and now really good friend introduced me to Women in Science and Engineering (WISE) and the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) while in college. These programs allowed me to interact with other female engineers and develop a support system and network of professional peers that still carries on today. In 1999, I graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering and received my commission in the United States Air Force.
Over the past 17 years on active duty, I’ve held a variety of positions as a Space and Missile Operator, Systems Engineer, Executive Officer and Program Manager. I’ve been very lucky to spend most of my career working in an area that I’m passionate about – Space. My resume includes assignments in Missile Warning, Space Surveillance, Spacelift, Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance, and Missile Defense. Currently, I am assigned at the Air Force Research Laboratory at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, OH. In this position, I serve as the Director of Operations for Air Force Strategic Development Planning and Experimentation.
The military has afforded me the opportunity to work with a very diverse group of people from all walks of life. It has allowed me to acquire unique problem-solving, organization, leadership and management skills. It has taught me the importance of teamwork and collaboration to resolve some of the toughest issues facing our nation.
By far, the most important skill I’ve learned is the importance of communication. The military has taught me how to not only be a good listener, but how to be a follower when necessary. Most often, military training is dedicated to developing leadership skills, but in many circumstances you can be a good leader by simply respecting the opinion of others and allowing opposing courses of action to be considered. Another important lesson I’ve learned in the military is to never be afraid to challenge the status quo. The current way of doing things is not always the best or most efficient, so don’t be afraid to push your ideas forward.
I am married with 6 children, ranging from 19 to 4 years of age. My two oldest attend college in South Carolina and Florida. My family and I have traveled all over the United States to include living in Colorado, California, Florida, Ohio and Virginia.
Managing a military family can be a very difficult task. For example, my oldest daughter attended 4 different high schools – a different one every year. This was great lesson for her in dealing with challenges. To help her through each transition, I often shared with her my experiences in dealing with challenges in the military.
Through every challenge or obstacle, I tried to remain calm and optimistic with the notion that no matter what happened, I could persevere. It takes drive and determination to succeed in every job, especially while serving in the military. I‘ve learned that you must deal with challenges head on. My experience has been that positive thinking, coupled with positive attitude and actions yields positive results.
To the next generation of leaders that follow in my footsteps, I implore them to always remember the USAF core values - integrity, service, and excellence. Remember these tenets, which are the bedrock of everything we do. Consider them with every action and you can never go astray. In addition, always treat others with respect. If you treat others with respect, for the most part, it will be returned to you. Finally, trust in your leaders, but have the courage to challenge the status quo.
As I start looking towards life after active duty I, like many others before me, consider the legacy that I will leave behind. More than anything, I would like to be remembered as a person who loved God. I want to be remembered as a hard worker and as a strong confident woman who took care of her people. I want to be remembered as a caring and self-less leader; a proud American who served with Honor and Integrity.
I’ve never been more proud to be an American and a member of the Armed Services. The sphere of influence that we have around the world is unmatched. We are a recognized and respected World Power. When I consider the many sacrifices that my brothers and sisters in arms have made to defend our country and protect our democracy, I’m at a loss for words. Being an American Airman is more than just a title, it carries with it a sense of duty, commitment and responsibility that I gladly accept.