Captain Layne was born in Oakland, California, but hails from Birmingham, Alabama. She enlisted in the Navy in 1991 as a Yeoman. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree (Summa Cum Laude) in Computer Information Systems from Savannah State University in 1998. She was commissioned through the Enlisted Commissioning Program (ECP) that same year. She earned a Master of Science Degree in Information Technology Management from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2006. Layne is also a graduate of the Naval War College, Air War College, Surface Warfare Officer’s School, Navigator School, Advanced Executive Officer Leadership School, Maritime Staff Operators Course, the Joint Maritime Tactics Course, and the Joint Information Operations Planner’s Course to name a few. She is also a fully Joint Qualified Officer (JQO).
She served as a Surface Warfare Officer (SWO) from August 1999 to August 2003. She obtained her Surface Warfare Officer designation as an Ensign onboard the USS WASP (LHD-1). Onboard WASP she served as the Interior Communications Division Officer. Additional SWO tours included serving as the Auxiliaries Officer, the Main Propulsions Officer and as an Engineering Officer of the Watch onboard the USS DEYO (DD-989). Lastly, she served as the Operations Intelligence Division Officer/Information Systems Security Manager at Fleet Area Control Surveillance Facility (FACSFAC) Oceana NAS.
In May 2003, Layne laterally transferred into the Information Professional community. Upon graduation from the Naval Postgraduate School, she served at Naval Network Warfare Command, as the Network Operations Operational Analysis and Assessments Branch Head where she led the Navy’s Enhanced Compliance Validation Visits Program. In November 2008, she reported to Commander, Strike Force Training Atlantic as the Deputy C5I Assistant Chief of Staff and Flag Communications Officer. Here she trained, mentored and assessed numerous Carrier Strike Groups and Amphibious Readiness Groups in all aspects of C5I. She earned her Information Warfare Officer designation during this tour as well.
In January 2011, she reported to the U.S. Naval Computer and Telecommunications Station (NAVCOMTELSTA) Bahrain as the Executive Officer. Under her leadership, the command received the Green “C” Award for communications excellence, 2011 Golden Anchor Award (2nd consecutive) and the 2011 NCTAMS LANT Outstanding Support to Customers (OSCAR) (5th consecutive). In May 2012, she reported to U.S. Fleet Cyber Command/U.S. Tenth Fleet as the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Commander where she served in that position for approximately eight months serving two Rear Admirals. In Jan 2013, she was recruited to fill an emergent billet as an Officer-in-Charge of a Cyber Security Inspection team within U.S. Fleet Cyber Command’s Office of Compliance and Assessments.
In June 2014, she reported to Commander, Strike Group Eight (CSG-8) as the Assistant Chief of Staff for C4I. Here, she led all C4I efforts for the HARRY S. TRUMAN Strike Group and coalition units while deployed in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE in the COMFIFTHFLT and COMSIXTHFLT area of operations. Following this tour, she attended Air War College obtaining JPME Phase II and a masters in Strategic Studies. In July 2017, she reported for her joint tour to the JECC/JPSE as the Information Operations Chief and later as the Director of Knowledge Management. In Aug 2020, she reported to ESG-2 as the N6/C5I ACOS.
Her personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, three Navy Commendation Medals, four Navy Achievement Medals, Volunteer Service Ribbon, two Sea Service Ribbons and other personal and service awards.