Meet Major Marsh Published Sept. 22, 2009 By Airman 1st Class Rachelle Elsea 325th Fighter Wing/ Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- As a young military brat, the world was her oyster. Born in sunny Orlando, Fla., graduating high school abroad and studying psychology at Fayetteville State University, nothing was stopping her from reaching the stars. Major Letitia A.C. Marsh, 325th Force Support Squadron commander, was born into the military. Her father was enlisted in the Army and this meant moving became a regular routine. "I loved it," said Major Marsh. "My favorite part was meeting new people and going different places. You definitely had to be able to adapt." Major Marsh said she spent a large chunk of her high school years in Germany, where she attended a Department of Defense school. During high school, she ran track and played clarinet in the band. However, her real passion lay elsewhere. "Student council was a big thing for me," said Major Marsh. Her junior year of high school, she became the vice president of student council and in her senior year she was elected president. Shortly after graduating, her family moved to Fayetteville, N.C. Her father was stationed at Fort Bragg, where he eventually retired from the Army. The family settled down there and it is where she now claims as home. When it came time for college, she stayed close to her family. During her junior year she realized the student loans where becoming exceedingly large and she needed to seek ulterior options. Her father encouraged her to look into the active duty Air Force. She has now been in 13 years and intends to make it a career. "My goal is leave behind a legacy that grows people and challenges them to be more than they had ever expected and to have an influence," said Major Marsh. When she first joined, she was a recruiter for high schools near her college. As a personnel troop she was later stationed at Eglin Air Force Base, Fla. with the 33rd Fighter Wing. Then, she was shipped off to Kadena Air Base, Japan, where she met and married her husband, who is also an active duty officer. They received joint orders to Langley AFB, Va., and from there, Hill AFB, Utah. "Hill was a surprise," said Major Marsh. "It was a great assignment. I think career-wise, it was where I learned the most and was challenged the most. It was very rewarding." Following their assignment at Hill AFB, they both attended the Air Command and Staff College at Maxwell AFB, Ala. There she received her second master's degree. Her husband graduated the program a year earlier, and left for Korea. "Being separated is a state of mind," said Major Marsh. "You can live in the same house and still be separated mentally. For us, we have a really strong relationship, good communication, and we share the same beliefs." Her husband is currently a squadron commander at Holloman AFB, N.M. They have now been married for seven years and separated for two of them. However, they talk on the phone everyday and she has seen him almost every month she has been at Tyndall. They are expecting their first child on Nov. 2nd. They have decided to name him Gabriel Alijah. Major Marsh said she wants at least one more child. In her personal time, she said she enjoys reading, interior decorating and hanging out with her friends. Between her new command and the baby, she said she has had a lot less time to herself. "This is my first command," said Major Marsh. "I feel like I was prepared; this is what the Air Force has trained me and prepared me to do. I am ready for it." The 325th FSS is constantly growing and changing. "I think it is going to be a good challenge," said Major Marsh. "I think I will grow from this opportunity. I know I will make a difference." Force Support Squadron plays the lead role in taking care of the base and the community, but the mission is simple. "My goal for FSS is one team - focused, trained, and ready," said Major Marsh. In the future, she said she would love to be stationed overseas. After retirement, the sky is the limit. "Twenty years from now, if I am not in the military, I want to be doing something in the community and making a difference," said Major Marsh She said she may even use her psychology degree toward becoming a child psychologist or a marriage counselor. For all the opportunities and blessings, she said has one person to thank. "If it wasn't for the grace of God, I wouldn't be here," said Major Marsh. "I feel really blessed to have the opportunity to have command and serve people, and also to be a mother and wife. There are some people who don't have those opportunities. I hope to live life with no regrets." For a closer look at the 325th Force Support Squadron click here.