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LaChanda E. Parker is the January 2025 Franklin City Public Schools Alumnus of the Month.

A school division news release noted that Parker currently serves on the Franklin City School Board, representing Ward 3. 

A native of Franklin, she is a retired Chief Aviation Ordnanceman in the United States Navy, where she dedicated her career to serving her country.

Chief Parker enlisted in the Delayed Entry Program in October 2002 and graduated from Franklin High School in 2003. She began her military journey on July 9, 2003, at Basic Recruit Training Command at Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Illinois. After completing basic training, she attended Aviation Ordnanceman “A” School at the Naval Air Technical Training Center in Pensacola, Florida.

Her first permanent duty station was the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN 71) at Naval Station Norfolk, where she served from November 2003 to March 2009. During her time on the Roosevelt, she was assigned to G-1 Flight Deck in the Weapons Department and G-5 Division, specializing in Retail Ordnance Logistics Management Systems (ROLMS). Chief Parker completed two deployments in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, earned her Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist Pin and was promoted to Aviation Ordnanceman Second Class.

Following her successful tour, she reported to Strike Fighter Squadron One Zero Six (VFA-106) at Naval Air Station Oceana, Virginia Beach, from June 2009 to June 2012. During this assignment, she completed an Individual Augment tour to Joint Force Base Balad, Iraq, in support of Iraqi Freedom and Operation New Dawn.

From August 2012 to October 2017, Chief Parker served aboard the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) at Naval Station Norfolk. Her roles included Lead Petty Officer and Leading Chief Petty Officer of the Safety Department, as well as Production Supervisor for G-3 and G-1 Divisions. She completed two deployments in support of Operation Inherent Resolve, qualified as an Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist and advanced to First Class Petty Officer. In September 2016, she was promoted to Chief Petty Officer and held positions as Interim Departmental Lead Chief Petty Officer of the Command Religious Ministries Department (CRMD) and Lead Chief Petty Officer of G-1 Division.

From October 2017 to March 2019, Chief Parker was assigned to Commander, Naval Reserve Forces Command. She completed Recruit Division Commander training in June 2019 in Great Lakes, Illinois, and served at Officer Training Command Newport from June 2019 to June 2022 as a Class/Company Chief, where she professionally developed and led more than 1,500 naval officers and officer candidates. She also earned her Master Training Specialist certification.

Prior to her retirement, Chief Parker served onboard the USS Dwight D. Eisenhower.

Her personal awards include the Joint Service Accommodation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (six awards) and various unit and campaign awards.

She is active in her church, serving as a ministry leader to multiple ministries, helping to build community relations. In addition to serving in her church, she also serves as vice chairman on  the Appomattox Regional Governor’s School Board and chairman of the Governor’s School For the Arts School Board.