FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii-- Twelve Army Paralegal Specialists from across the Asia-Pacific competed at Fort Shafter, Sept. 11 - 15, to earn the title of U.S. Army Pacific Paralegal Specialist and Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year.
The ninth annual Paralegal Warrior Challenge sponsored by USARPAC Judge Advocate General Corps as a way to recognize the best Soldiers in the career field.
Soldiers' were challenged by a series of administrative, oral, physically demanding tasks during the five day challenge at various locations across the island of Oahu, Hawaii.
U.S. Army JAG Corps Regiment Command Sergeant Major, Command Sgt. Maj. Joseph P. Lister welcomed participants and event support staff at the initial orientation, Sept. 11 at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam.
Lister emphasized the annual event was intended to allow those within the USARPAC area of responsibility the chance to acquaint themselves with one another in a friendly contest.
Participants represented their divisions in various skills and examinations, and warrior tasks ranging from drills to a 12-mile ruck march, to earn points. Highest points tallied from all events were used to select winners.
Winners were announced during a closing ceremony Sept. 16 at historic Palm Circle, Fort Shafter.
The USARPAC Paralegal NCO of the Year is Staff Sgt. Loni Martinez, NCOIC, 500th Military Intelligence Brigade Legal Office. The USARPAC Paralegal Specialist of the Year is Spc. Timothy Snyder, post-trial paralegal, U.S. Army Garrison, Hawaii.
Snyder was elated for the opportunity to compete and become the Paralegal NCO of the Year.
"[Events] like these are a way for us to show our leaders who we are and why we deserve to have important positions and promotions in our Corps," said Snyder.
USARPAC Staff Judge Advocate, Col. George Smawley closed the competition in a ceremony praising the tenacity of all participants, highlighting their endurance through many challenges over five-days.
"It is no small thing to put yourself in competition with your peers," Smawley said during the closing ceremony. "Two of them may have won the week, respectively, but all of them are winning the race: to demonstrate their professionalism as Soldiers, as legal professionals, as members of their respective commands."
All participants received certificates of achievement. The Paralegal Specialist and NCO of the Year received Army Commendation Medals, plaques and coins of excellence.
Social Sharing