How one Army Veteran turned transition into empowerment, connection, and continued service
From Flight Operations to Drill Sergeant: A Career of Impact
Marquita Foxworth proudly served in the U.S. Army as a 15P Flight Operations Specialist, where she managed flight records, aircraft dispatching, flight tracking, flight manifesting, and airfield operations. Her leadership and dedication led her to become a Drill Sergeant at just 25 years old, a role she describes as the most rewarding of her military career.
Marquita made it a priority to cross-train her soldiers and herself in multiple systems, ensuring her unit could maintain mission readiness if someone was absent or injured. She served from E-1 to E-8, with duty stations in Korea, Fort Bragg, Italy, Fort Jackson, Fort Stewart, and Fort Hood, and deployments to Iraq (2003–2004) and Afghanistan (2012–2013).
Driven by Vision and Legacy
At just 16 years old, Marquita set her sights on a future shaped by intention. She saw military service as a way to retire young while also securing education benefits and medical care for her future children. Her grandfather had served, but Marquita didn’t personally know any women in the military. Choosing to enlist felt powerful and bold.
“I grew up in a community where I often felt disconnected,” she reflects. “But I knew I was destined for more.”
Creating the Community She Needed
When she transitioned out of the Army, Marquita faced a common yet often unspoken challenge; disconnection, especially as a woman veteran. “My male battle buddies stayed connected through events and reunions,” she shares, “but women were often left out of those spaces.”
Rather than accept that isolation, Marquita took action. She launched a Veteran meetup at Black Rifle Coffee in Alliance, TX, creating a space for camaraderie, conversation, and connection. What started as a simple meetup has become a powerful anchor for many. Today, 20 to 30 veterans gather every Saturday, forming a tight-knit, military-connected community. Everyone is welcomed to join them on any Saturday, the more the merrier. Click here for more info on the Veteran Meetup happening every Saturday.
Their impact goes far beyond coffee. Members of the group actively volunteer at local events, share resources, support one another’s businesses, and create meaningful connections that extend into their daily lives. It’s a living example of how community can be rebuilt and strengthened by those who know the value of service.
Identity Beyond the Rank
As a single mom for many years, and later part of a dual-military marriage, Marquita experienced firsthand the importance of cultivating an identity beyond the roles of parent, spouse, or service member.
“Having a life outside of just family responsibilities gave me perspective,” she says. “It also helped me better understand the challenges military spouses face, especially those who aren’t naturally independent. That’s where my empathy comes from—I’ve lived it.”
Her Advice to Fellow Veterans
Marquita’s message to others navigating transition is honest, empowering, and grounded in personal experience:
“You are not broken. You are just on a new mission.
The loss of structure, rank, and built-in community is real. But don’t wait to be invited into spaces that weren’t designed with you in mind—especially as a woman veteran.Go where you feel safe, seen, and respected. And if that space doesn’t exist yet, build it.
Give yourself permission to have an identity beyond your MOS, your rank, your spouse, or your kids. Therapy, coaching, and veteran support groups are not signs of weakness. They are tools.
Be gentle with yourself. You’ve already done hard things. Now it’s time to build a life that fits who you are today—not just who you were in uniform.”
Connecting with VetsForever
Marquita first connected with VetsForever when several of our VetsForever team members visited her Saturday veteran meetup at Black Rifle Coffee. “From that moment forward, we’ve worked together to ensure veterans have access to the benefits, resources, and support they deserve,” she says. Trinidad and the VetsForever team have helped her family, her real estate clients, and her friends, making the partnership one built on trust and shared purpose.
Continuing to Serve, Just in a New Way
Today, Marquita is a real estate agent, helping veterans and military families navigate one of life’s biggest transitions: home ownership. Her role may have changed, but her mission remains the same—uplifting those who serve and making sure they feel supported in every stage of their journey.
Through her work, her community building, and her heart for service, Marquita continues to live out what it means to be a leader, a veteran, and a voice for those still finding their way.
At VetsForever, we are honored to work alongside veterans like Marquita Foxworth, who continue to lead and serve well beyond their time in uniform. Her dedication to building community, uplifting others, and creating spaces for connection reflects the very heart of our mission. We’re proud to share her story and grateful for the impact she’s making every day.