Medical battalion Soldier earns USAREUR human resources award

HEIDELBERG, Germany — U.S. Army Europe recognized Spc. Denicio Diaz, a 421st Multifunctional Medical Battalion Soldier, as its 2012 Human Resources Soldier of the Year.

During the Jan. 23 award ceremony, USAREUR personnel directorate singled out Diaz for his role as the sole human resources specialist for his battalion. He supports more than 400 Soldiers and processes all battalion personnel actions, awards and evaluations.

“I’ve never had anything like this before,” Diaz said. “It’s great. It’s a once in a lifetime thing.”

The battalion, based in Baumholder, is trained to deploy as a command and control element of a medical task force and conduct combat health support
operations. The unit falls under the 30th Medical Command, based at Sembach Kaserne.

Command Sgt. Maj. George Grace Jr., the 30th Medical Command’s rear detachment senior enlisted leader, said human resources is a key component to the command.

“These folks are dedicated to taking care of our most valuable resource, which is our people,” Grace said.