MAXWELL AIR FORCE BASE, Ala. -- Technical Sergeant Lateriya Stamps is an air transportation craftsman with the 25th Aerial Port Squadron here at the 908th Airlift Wing. As someone who works in load planning, she deals with load sequencing so that the aircraft is balanced when cargo is loaded.
Stamps first joined the Air Force right out of high school in 2012. She said that the discipline aspect of the military is what drew her interest. She said that her reasoning was also because both of her grandfathers were in the Army during the Vietnam War.
Stamps said that her favorite part of being an air transportation craftsman was being able to see the impact her work had on the Air Force. She said that they transport anything and everything; ranging from passengers and cargo to supplies and explosive materials.
“If it has to be loaded on an aircraft and shipped anywhere, we move it,” said Stamps.
Even though she is a TR at 25th APS, in her civilian career she works in the 908th AW finance office. Stamps helps people with their travel vouchers, the Defense Travel System website, and making sure that service members get paid.
“I like being able to help people,” said Stamps. “That’s who I am as a person.”
It makes sense that Stamps loves working both as a TR and civilian in roles that directly impact people since she said she loves to help others. She said that this drive to serve others is directly tied to why she also enjoys being a non-commissioned officer. These motivations are why she said she wants to stay in for her “full 20 years.”
“Taking care of Airmen is my favorite thing.”
Having NCOs like Tech. Sgt. Stamps in roles where they are able to happily serve others in both their full-time job and reservist job are who keep the 908th AW functioning on a daily basis.