Tracey's initial assignment in the United States Navy was to the Naval Space Surveillance Systems in Dahlgren, Virginia, where she qualified as a command center officer and orbital analyst. Following a tour on the staff of the Commander of the United States Pacific Fleet, she served at the Bureau of Naval Personnel as the placement officer for graduate education and service college students.
Tracey began her career in the United States Navy by working with the Naval Space Surveillance Systems in Dahlgren, Virginia. She gained expertise as a command center officer and orbital analyst before moving on to serve at the Bureau of Naval Personnel, where she helped place students in graduate education and service college programs.