Afloat, CDR Lawton served in USS PRINCETON (CG-59) as CIC Officer and Admin Officer.  Subsequent sea tours included assignments in USS STOCKDALE (DDG-106) as the Fire Control Officer and USS DECATUR (DDG-73) where she served as Weapons Officer, Combat Systems Officer, and Executive Officer.
 
Ashore, CDR Lawton served in the Current Operations directorate at CNE-CNA-C6F in Naples, Italy, as an action officer in the Anti-Terrorism/Force Protection and the Air Operations offices. She earned her Anti-Submarine/Anti-Surface Warfare Tactics Instructor patch and served at Surface and Mine Warfighting Development Center Sea Combat Division as a Surface Warfare Advanced Tactical Training Planner.
 
Her personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various service and campaign awards.