Captain (CPT) Joseph W. Payton is a native of Bay Springs, Mississippi. On May 28, 2005, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in Spanish and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Army from the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, New York .
Upon graduation from West Point, CPT Payton served as the Special Assistant to the Director of the Center for Professional Development (CPD), West Point, New York. Next he transitioned to Fort Gordon, Georgia, where he attended Signal Officer Basic Course (SOBC). Shortly, following SOBC, CPT Payton was selected to play for the All-Army and All-Armed Forces Basketball teams. Afterwards, he returned to Fort Gordon where he served in several company and Battalion level duty positions, specifically: Heavy Signal Platoon Leader, C/63rd Expeditionary Signal Battalion (ESB); Operations Officer, C/63rd ESB; Plans Officer, 63rd ESB; Maintenance Officer, 63rd ESB; and Plans Officer, 63rd ESB. After completion of these assignments, CPT Payton attended the Signal Captain’s Career Course (SCCC) at Fort Gordon, Georgia. CPT Payton is currently the Company Commander for Delta Company, 3rd Battalion, 34th Infantry Regiment.
CPT Payton’s military education includes: Airborne School, Signal Officer Basic Course, Basic Combatives Course, Standard Army Maintenance System 1-Enhanced (SAMS-1E) Operator’s Course, SAMS-1E Manager’s Course, Signal Captain Career Course, and Master Resiliency Trainer (MRT) Course.
CPT Payton’s awards and decorations include: Meritorious Unit Citation, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal (1 OLC), National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, and Parachutist Badge.
CPT Payton is married to Mrs. Jancy Annette of the Bronx, New York. They have one son, Joshua (4 years old).
