Women's History Month Spotlight: Staff Sgt. Takeya A. Williams

Published March 6, 2011
By Capt. Anthony L. Bucci
174FW/Public Affairs

Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, Syracuse, NY -- March is Women's History Month and with that we will focus on one of our female members here at Hancock Field Air National Guard Base, Staff Sgt. Takeya A. Williams who serves at the 174th Fighter Wing within the Force Support Squadron.

Staff Sgt. Williams graduated from Carthage Central High School in 2002 and attended the State University at Oswego earning Bachelor's Degrees in Childhood Education. She grew up on military bases around the United States as her dad served with the U. S. Army. She lived on Ft. Hood, and Ft. Bliss, TX, Ft. Benning, GA, Ft. Drum, NY and Carthage, NY, she now resides in Syracuse.

Staff Sgt. Williams works in the 174FW FSS as the Personnel Support for Contingency Operations Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge for the MQ-9 Reaper mission and has been doing so for a little more than a year. She was recently selected for the full-time Logistic Readiness Squadron Administrative NCO position. Prior to working at Hancock Field ANGB she worked at the YMCA in Watertown, NY as a Childcare Provider.

Staff Sgt. Williams joined the 174th FW on her mother's advice her mom Master Sgt. Sonya A. Williams who joined the unit in 1999 and told her that it was a worthwhile career.

"I am proud that I came in with no rank and worked my way up to Staff Sgt. I'm also proud that I am respected for my work within the unit. I'm proud that I deployed for the first time with a good friend and made it back alive", said Williams.

"Since I came in the unit in 2003 there have been more cultural awareness programs integrated into the UTA schedule such as Wingman days, Diversity Council and Enlisted Council. I've been on the EC for the past three years and have watched how it has addressed important issues that affect the Enlisted Force and also increased base morality. Also, the level of respect for individuals as well as rank has increased making the working environment more conducive to training and less intimidating", said Williams.

Staff Sgt. Williams finds balancing her civilian jobs and her schooling with the requirements of being an Airman and transitioning into adulthood as a very challenging road. When she was asked about her future plans she said she would like to serve for 20 years or more and retiring as a Chief Master Sgt. or higher. She looks forward to continuing her educational studies and would like to get her Master's Degree in Counseling and work as a guidance counselor.