Photo By Spc. Taylor Gray | U.S. Army Sgt. Walkker Shaw and Spc. Ciarra Castillo stands with Col. Russell Parson,...... read more read more
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FORT SHAFTER, Hawaii – Every year Soldiers from across the Pacific theater compete in Hawaii to earn the top honor as Paralegal of the Year.
Twelve Soldiers competed in the U.S. Army Pacific 2023 Paralegal Warrior Competition, held Sept. 5-8, at Schofield Barracks, Wheeler Army Airfield and Fort Shafter Flats on Oahu. Of those 12, two were crowned as the winners: a noncommissioned officer and junior enlisted Soldier.
Sgt. Walkker Shaw, a paralegal specialist assigned to the 725th Brigade Support Battalion, 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 11th Airborne Division; and Spc. Ciarra Castillo, a paralegal assigned to HHC 25th Division Sustainment Brigade, 25th Infantry Division rose among their peers to earn the prestigious title.
Shaw is a two-time winner of the competition, in 2022 he earned the title of Best Junior Enlisted Paralegal Warrior.
“I wanted to join the competition because it’s a great opportunity to network and see paralegals from other areas of USARPAC and gain insight on their experiences,” said Shaw. “It also allows me to develop myself as an individual.”
For Castillo, the event proved to be more than just winning the title, the competition was an opportunity to hone her paralegal skills and test her Army warrior ethos.
"I just went out there wanting to do my best because at the end of the day it's a representation of myself and what I am capable of and my own skills,” said Castillo. “I just wanted to put my best foot forward, win or lose, just give it my all.”
Army paralegal specialists provide legal and administrative support in multiple areas of law. Paralegals are critical assets to a Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) section, Command Judge Advocate (CJA) section, Brigade Legal Section, or the unit headquarters. The three-day competition not only challenged their mental fortitude but their physical strength through basic soldiering skills.
Shaw and 11 other competitors participated in a series of events to include a military occupational specialty (MOS) exam, Army Physical Fitness Test, a ruck march and an air assault obstacle course conducted at Schofield Barracks and East Range. The competition culminated with a board to test the competitor’s military bearing and paralegal expertise.
During the competition, Shaw said he scored his highest Army Combat Fitness Test score in his career and improved his time for the 12-mile ruck by 25 minutes.
However, Shaw saw the competition as more than a personal endeavor, but an opportunity to coach and mentor junior paralegals.
His Soldier came in third place during the competition.
"I think I've left an impact on my Soldiers,” said Shaw. “Specialist Giani is representing the junior enlisted from the 11th Airborne Division and he's learned a lot from this competition. He will want to become better as a soldier and an individual.”
Shaw, who was awarded an Army Commendation Medal and plaque during an awards ceremony held at Historic Palm Circle, Fort Shafter, said he hopes to inspire his fellow Soldiers by returning next year as a sponsor.
| Date Taken: | 09.11.2023 |
| Date Posted: | 09.12.2023 15:58 |
| Story ID: | 453210 |
| Location: | HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 92 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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