An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.

Rock Solid Warrior: Staff Sgt. Lakesha Parks

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. William Banton
  • 386th Air Expeditionary Wing
SOUTHWEST ASIA --  
This week’s Rock Solid Warrior is Staff Sgt. Lakesha Parks, a budget analyst with the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing Financial Management, who is deployed from the 908th Airlift Wing, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.

The Rock Solid Warrior program is a way to recognize and spotlight the Airmen of the 386th Air Expeditionary Wing for their positive impact and commitment to the mission

Why did you join the Air Force?

I joined the Air Force for a sense of pride. I take pride in being able to serve my country. Being able to make this sacrifice means everything to me.

How is your deployed unit/job different from your home unit/job?

The biggest difference from my deployed unit and home unit is that I am actually working budget analysis deployed. My home unit primarily uses civilians to do this job.

What are some of your professional and personal goals?

Some of my professional and personal goals are successfully completing the Graduate Record Examination and I hope to purchase my family a home soon after this deployment.

What is your favorite part of your mission here?

The favorite part of my mission is executing dollars and transactions effectively to help aid the overall mission of the 386 AEW. As a budget analysis my job requires me to work with a number a people and units to ensure paperwork is processed and secure funding for
mission .

What are some of your hobbies?

My hobbies are reading, shopping, word puzzles and hair braiding.

What are some of the challenges you face here? How do you overcome them?
The biggest challenges thus far were being tasked as a budget analyst with no prior experience, being in a one deep position, and reconciling the logs from the start of the past fiscal year.

I overcame the challenges I have faced by working through the issues and figuring out what I needed to know and the proper procedures. None the less, my leadership was my biggest resource and greatest motivator; they aided me through any stumbling blocks I had.