ACC NCO Earns First Ever AMC Soldier Career Counselor of the Year title

By Vinston PorterApril 15, 2022

(Photo Credit: LTC Vinston Porter) VIEW ORIGINAL

REDSTONE ARSENAL - Sergeant First Class Sanqwey Walker, career counselor for the U.S. Army Contracting Command, was recognized as the Army Materiel Command’s Soldier Career Counselor of the Year in a ceremony held at AMC headquarters April 6.

Major General Walter M. Duzzny, AMC Chief of Staff and Assistant Deputy Commanding General for U.S. Army Reserves, presided over the ceremony, which was conducted at AMC headquarters April 6.

Walker, an Atlanta, Ga. native with 17 total years of service, entered the Army as a 12N General Construction Equipment Operator but soon learned that his true passion was helping Soldiers.

“While serving as a unit retention NCO earlier in my career, I had a passion for helping Soldiers and their families. I enjoyed what I was doing so I decided to commit to accomplishing the Army’s retention mission.”

Being a career counselor in the current environment comes with its share of ups and downs. Walker recalls the most rewarding part of his jobs is “being able to assist Soldiers in making the right decisions for their careers.” He further says it brings him a sense of joy knowing he helped Soldiers get their needs and desires.

On the down side, Walker says “the most challenging part of my job has been dealing with changes. Whether it be COVID-19 vaccinations, lack of combat deployments and uncertainty of when the ACFT will come into effect.”

Walker also participated in the Department of the Army level competition. Of the three graded events – Army Combat Fitness Test, board competition and written test – Walker had the highest test score but did not capture the overall Army level title; however, he’s looking forward to competing again next year.

Despite Walker’s desire to compete next year, Maj. Gen. Duzzny had different thoughts about Walker’s future competition aspirations saying, “Since this competition is for those who are E-7s, I don’t think he’ll be eligible because I expect he’ll be wearing master sergeant by this time next year.”

Maj. Gen. Walter M. Duzzny, U.S. Army Materiel Command's chief of staff, pins an Army Commendation Medal on Sergeant 1st Class Sanqwey Walker, career counselor for Army Contracting Command April 6. Walker won the first ever AMC Soldier Career Counselor of the Year competition.
Maj. Gen. Walter M. Duzzny, U.S. Army Materiel Command's chief of staff, pins an Army Commendation Medal on Sergeant 1st Class Sanqwey Walker, career counselor for Army Contracting Command April 6. Walker won the first ever AMC Soldier Career Counselor of the Year competition. (Photo Credit: LTC Vinston Porter) VIEW ORIGINAL

“Career Counselors are the talent management for the U.S. Army” said AMC Command Career Counselor Jesus D. Lopez. “The U.S. Army’s mission is to fight and win our Nation’s wars and the Soldiers in our formations are the strength of our Army; therefore, our Nation depends on us to retain Soldiers to maintain the health of the force and maximize unit readiness.”

The ceremony concluded with Walker thanking the AMC career counseling team and the ACC leadership for their support throughout this process.