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A Soldier and NCO from the 21st Theater Sustainment Command’s Office of the Staff Judge Advocate won U.S. Army Europe’s Paralegal Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer of the Year competition and was presented with their awards during an award ceremony at the Legal Services Center court room on Kleber Kaserne, March 27.
The Paralegal Soldier of the Year is Sgt. Blair E. Berry, a paralegal NCO working with the 21st TSC OSJA, assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Battery, 5th Battalion, 7th Air Defense Artillery, who won the competition when he was still a specialist. The Paralegal NCO of the Year is Staff Sgt. Andrew V. Hillberry, a paralegal NCO assigned to Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Special Troops Battalion, 21st TSC.
Both NCOs received Army Commendation Medals for their achievements in the competition. They also received letters of commendation from the sergeant major of the Army Legal Corps, the judge advocate general and the sergeant major of the Army.
“It is my distinct pleasure to congratulate you (Berry and Hillberry) on your outstanding achievement,” said Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler. “Your professionalism, dedication and willingness to succeed are qualities that make our Army and nation a great one.”
On Oct. 19, 2012, both NCOs met with other paralegal Soldiers from all over Europe in Heidelberg, Germany, for a full day of competing. They began with the Army physical fitness test and immediately moved into an eight-mile ruck march with a 35-pound field pack.
Next, the Soldiers conducted a weapons qualification on an engagement skills trainer and went through five warrior skills assessment stations including land navigation and first aid. Finally, each Soldier completed a 50-question military occupational specialty specific exam and an oral board before all chief paralegals assigned in Europe, said Sgt. Maj. Diana C. Clark, the USAREUR command paralegal.
“For anyone who doesn’t know, standing before a board consisting entirely of paralegals can be somewhat unnerving,” Clark said with a laugh. “These two demonstrated that they are among the best Soldiers and are carrying on in Army tradition by winning this competition.”
Both winners expressed their joy in winning the competition after the award ceremony.
“It was a great experience, having the chance to compete against my battle buddies in this competition,” Berry said. “Every NCO I’ve ever had always pushed me to be the best. It is great to be counted among the best in my field, but what I really enjoyed was competing alongside my battle buddies.”
