Many American leaders will also tell you that while they may retire one day, there is no expiration date on that oath. That means they find ways to continue to honor that oath. Retired Army Sergeant 1st Class Latoya Greene’s career ended in November 2024, but her commitment to doing her part to make America a better place is as strong today as it was the day she took her oath of office.
“For most of us, we spent more time in the military than outside of it,” Greene said. “We have the ability to make those around us better. That doesn’t stop there.”
Greene was originally from Florida, but moved to Georgia during her childhood. She joined the Army on June 9, 2004. Like many Americans, Greene joined the military to change the course of her life, saying she was in a bad home situation before starting her career in the service.
“I just joined to run away from that situation. That was it.”
Despite not having a sports background, Greene found that basic training wasn’t as challenging as she thought it would be. A highlight of her career that she is very proud of was becoming a drill sergeant because she was able to directly influence new recruits who came in for the same reasons she did.
“When I came in, I had trauma and low self-esteem,” she admitted. “So when new soldiers came in, I saw it in other young soldiers. They were homeless, running from something, and I was able to give them a boost.
She concluded, “Being a drill sergeant for three years was definitely the highlight of my career because I was able to impact so many people at once. I loved that.”
Greene’s unique experience as someone who needed both guidance and guidance is a testament to the fact that other young people trying to find their own way out of adverse situations might look to the military not only as a way to change their own lives, but as a way to change their own lives.
also positively influence others. That is, as long as you’re willing to put into it what you hope to get out of it.
“I was looking for discipline and structure. Once I started holding myself accountable and understanding, I saw how it can work. If you look for the negative, you will find it. If you look for the positive, you will get it. It’s up to you to decide how long you can stick with it.”
Changing norms
Greene had a major impact on many soldiers under her direct leadership, but she also made a big difference for many soldiers she did not come into contact with. This was due to her efforts to change the required standards
Greene was always able to meet the physical demands of the PT tests, but the powerlifter was built differently, both literally and figuratively. The Army had changed its testing standards to include weights, an aspect it was good at. During the pilot phase, Greene worked with a 19-year-old soldier who failed the measuring or “taping” portion. She told Greene that she was doing juice fasting for a week.
“I had no problem doing what I had to do with saunas and diets to make tape, but this girl wasn’t going to make it. There was no need for this toxic behavior if there was nothing wrong with her body.”
Greene petitioned to change the standards and made himself the face of it. She felt like she could withstand any pressure or setback that might come from it. She had to deal with it a lot, but ultimately came out on the winning side. In 2023, the policy was updated that those who could score high enough on the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) would not be subject to tape or body fat testing because of the way muscle mass can affect body mass index (BMI). She was much closer to the end of her career than the beginning, but Greene stood strong and influenced many who came into service in the future.
“To see them benefit from the change, that’s why you do what you do as a leader. That was my legacy.”
Supporting veterans
Greene’s career came to an end in November 2024, but earlier that year she was honored by being inducted into the US Army Women’s Hall of Fame. For someone who joined with the purpose of serving, she was proud to be considered worthy of being recognized for her contributions.
“I wasn’t looking for credit, but a woman I had never met before reached out and said she had signed up to support me. Being initiated into doing something just because it was the right thing to do was an amazing feeling.”
Greene is now living the life of a veteran, but she understands the importance of advocating service. They and many veterans like them indirectly serve as walking billboards for the industries they represent. Greene felt that her next contribution could be to help veterans get back into shape or stay in shape so they can stay healthy and strong and show future generations of Americans what the best of the best should be.
“I do free training for veterans, and I even bring the equipment,” Greene said. “A lot of people in the military loved PT but hadn’t done it in years. If I can get them moving again, it can help them physically and mentally because of the camaraderie.”
The benefit is a two-way street, because while the veterans improve, Greene sees himself actively making a difference and still being a leader. She also acts as a motivational speaker, including going to prisons to talk to veterans and reminding them that while they have made mistakes, they are not forgotten. Greene’s words carry more weight than those of many others because of her experiences. Just like the actual weights she lifts, she showed that she is strong enough to carry it. Greene promises to continue showing people what they are capable of while putting the pressure on to prove it to themselves.
“If one person can change something that hasn’t changed in thirty years, then you can certainly stand by what you believe in.”
Greene’s workout challenge for veterans
Greene helps veterans get into better shape, including those who come to her training classes in person. She may not be able to reach every veteran individually, but chose to share a training for those who also want to honor themselves and America by following the same training program she would provide if they were standing in front of her.
The workout starts with a total of 100 meters of jogging, side stepping, backwards and toe touches. Greene has veterans walk back and forth 50 yards for each of these. She then has them each perform the following circuit of exercises for 60 seconds.
- Dumbbell curls
- Step-ups or box jumps
- Icky Shuffle with a Rope Ladder (You can do side steps up and back if you don’t have a rope ladder.)
- Plank or toe touches (Touch your toe with the other hand.)
Greene said, “I’ll have them do that for two rounds, and that’s the whole workout.”
For more information about Greene, visit her website and follow her on Instagram
M&F Senior Military Editor Rob Wilkins contributed to this article.
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