Military science professor forges Army leaders at UGA

By Belle Wilkins/ UGA Today

Lt. Col. Weston Layfield understands the pride and camaraderie that comes from serving in the United States Armed Forces.  

Now, as professor of military science at the University of Georgia Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), he’s sharing experience gained from a long career in the U.S. Army with students as he trains the next generation of cadets.   

Layfield has been in the U.S. Army in various command and staff positions across the country for over 18 years. Growing up, his father served in the military, and both his paternal and maternal grandfathers served in World War II. Layfield’s initial goal was to graduate from the University of North Georgia Corps of Cadets program and serve for three to four years before moving toward a different career path, but those plans quickly changed.   

“I just fell in love with the Army lifestyle,” Layfield said. “I have a wife and four kids; we have all loved it.”   

Layfield’s first station was Fort Hood, Texas, during the height of the Global War on Terror. Shortly after moving there, his platoon deployed to Kapisa Province, Afghanistan, where he lived for a year. As a young lieutenant, he was tasked with leading soldiers who were often close to his own age, an experience he said shaped his leadership abilities early on.   

A pivotal moment in Layfield’s military career occurred when he was slated to be assigned to a base in Texas but traded with another captain for a position at Fort Polk, Louisiana. LTC Layfield had already been stationed in Texas and saw greater opportunity in the Louisiana position. By making this switch, he was introduced to lifelong mentors and exemplary leaders who paved the way for his own leadership journey.  

The next step in Layfield’s career was a move to working in higher education. He began as an assistant professor of military science at UNG, his alma mater, before moving back to the operational Army. He came to UGA in 2018 as the professor of military science in Army ROTC. Working at the collegiate level is Layfield’s dream job, and his goal is to continue to grow UGA’s Army ROTC program.  

As a military science professor, each day looks different. From interviewing prospective high school students to teaching classes, Layfield is dedicated to building the next generation of Army leaders. Cadets typically conduct physical training three days a week from 6-7 a.m., complete lab courses and participate in hands-on training sessions where students can put leadership and classroom skills into practice. These courses are focused on small unit tactics and aimed at preparing cadets for summer training between their junior and senior year.  

Lt. Col. Weston Layfield understands the pride and camaraderie that comes from serving in the United States Armed Forces.  

Now, as professor of military science at the University of Georgia Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC), he’s sharing experience gained from a long career in the U.S. Army with students as he trains the next generation of cadets.   

Layfield has been in the U.S. Army in various command and staff positions across the country for over 18 years. Growing up, his father served in the military, and both his paternal and maternal grandfathers served in World War II. Layfield’s initial goal was to graduate from the University of North Georgia Corps of Cadets program and serve for three to four years before moving toward a different career path, but those plans quickly changed.   

“I just fell in love with the Army lifestyle,” Layfield said. “I have a wife and four kids; we have all loved it.”   

Layfield’s first station was Fort Hood, Texas, during the height of the Global War on Terror. Shortly after moving there, his platoon deployed to Kapisa Province, Afghanistan, where he lived for a year. As a young lieutenant, he was tasked with leading soldiers who were often close to his own age, an experience he said shaped his leadership abilities early on.   

A pivotal moment in Layfield’s military career occurred when he was slated to be assigned to a base in Texas but traded with another captain for a position at Fort Polk, Louisiana. LTC Layfield had already been stationed in Texas and saw greater opportunity in the Louisiana position. By making this switch, he was introduced to lifelong mentors and exemplary leaders who paved the way for his own leadership journey.  

The next step in Layfield’s career was a move to working in higher education. He began as an assistant professor of military science at UNG, his alma mater, before moving back to the operational Army. He came to UGA in 2018 as the professor of military science in Army ROTC. Working at the collegiate level is Layfield’s dream job, and his goal is to continue to grow UGA’s Army ROTC program.  

As a military science professor, each day looks different. From interviewing prospective high school students to teaching classes, Layfield is dedicated to building the next generation of Army leaders. Cadets typically conduct physical training three days a week from 6-7 a.m., complete lab courses and participate in hands-on training sessions where students can put leadership and classroom skills into practice. These courses are focused on small unit tactics and aimed at preparing cadets for summer training between their junior and senior year.