ALIAMANU MILITARY RESERVATION, Hawaii -- Paralegal Soldiers from throughout 8th Theater Sustainment Command came together, here, to ruck, board and test to prepare for the U.S. Army-Pacific paralegal competition, recently.
"The Paralegal Warrior Challenge is for all paralegal Soldiers to compete in and show what we're made of," said Sgt. Rebecca Holland, paralegal noncommissioned officer, 8th MP Battalion, 8th MP Brigade, 8th TSC.
"I think it's important for paralegals to participate in competitions like this because it showcases … things that we do on a daily basis for our command teams," Holland said. "It gives us the opportunity to show that we are not just 'office geeks'; we are also Soldiers."
As the sun beat down, the Soldiers first pushed their way through the physical training test and the ruck march.
Next, the Soldiers tested their military knowledge and skills by taking a written test.
Senior paralegal NCOs also tested candidates' knowledge by asking questions.
"They're all doing really well," said Master Sgt. Gerome Klein, chief paralegal NCO, 8th TSC. "They're not used to having a board process directly after physical challenges, so it's getting them prepared for the USARPAC challenge, which is actually a weeklong challenge.
"What this does is, it also lets the command elements -- whether it is a company first sergeant, company commander, brigade command sergeant major or commanders -- know that their paralegal is also a Soldier," Klein continued. "They are skillful and they're drilled in their common Soldier tasks. They bring that to the fight, as well as their legal expertise."
"We don't get to see each other a lot, but we are all friends and we maintain those friendships," said Spc. Jessica Gaines, paralegal specialist, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 45th Sust. Brigade, (Rear Detachment). "It's good to come out here, and it doesn't matter if we win or lose."
All candidates who participated in the 8th TSC event will represent their respective units in the USARPAC competition in late September.
Related Links:
8th TSC paralegals train for USARPAC competition Video
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