HomeNewsArticle Display

Three from Tinker’s JAG office best in command

  • Published
  • By Brandice J. Armstrong
  • Tinker Public Affairs
TINKER AIR FORCE BASe, Okla. --  Three Tinker Airmen recently won The Judge Advocate, or TJAG, awards at Air Force Materiel Command-level. Their names have since been submitted for the Air Force-level competition.

Capt. Kurt Gerlach, Master Sgt. Michelle Bucia and Tech. Sgt. Erika Peters of the Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center Judge Advocate office received news of their wins in mid-March. The Airmen collectively said this is the first time they've won at the major command level and the first time they've been nominated for the Air Force-level.

"These three individuals distinguished themselves by going the extra mile on a daily basis," said Col. Jeff Slagle, Oklahoma City Air Logistics Center Staff Judge Advocate. "Sergeant Bucia and Captain Gerlach spent more than six months in Afghanistan and Iraq, respectively, both receiving recognition for their service. Sergeant Peters has been on active-duty orders for an extended period of time to cover for deployed paralegals and compensate for a manning shortage, in general."

Captain Gerlach, chief of military justice, won the Outstanding Young Judge Advocate of the Year Award, also known as the Albert M. Kuhfeld Award. Named for retired Major Gen. Albert Kuhfeld, formerly The Judge Advocate, the award recognizes an outstanding young judge advocate who demonstrates excellence, initiative and devotion to duty. Eligible candidates exemplify the criteria and are either a rank of captain or major during the year in which they are nominated.

"There are a number of people who could have won this award from the Tinker legal office," the captain said. "It is very humbling to win. I realize I did not win because of my own accomplishments, but the accomplishments of the team. I was put in some good positions with good opportunities to succeed because I was surrounded by great people."

Sergeant Bucia, recipient of the Outstanding Paralegal Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year award, agreed.

"I feel honored to receive this award," said the NCOIC of Administrative Law. "It was due to all of the hard work of those I work for, work with, and those who work for me. Nothing is achieved by one person alone. It is the team effort that makes the difference."

The award, also known as the Karen Yates-Popwell Award is named for retired Chief Master Sgt. Karen E. Yates-Popwell, who had been a senior paralegal manager to a TJAG. To be eligible for the award, candidates must be active duty SNCOs: master sergeants or senior master sergeants within the year they are nominated. They must demonstrate excellence, superior initiative, and leadership and management skills.

Sergeant Peters brought home the Outstanding Air Reserve Component Paralegal of the Year Award, also known as the David Westbrook Award. The honor is named for retired Chief Master Sgt. David Westbrook, a former senior individual mobilization augmentee paralegal for the General Law division at the Office of The Judge Advocate General.

Award candidates are reservists who exhibit superior initiative, technical skill, training accomplishments or who have contributed to mission support. They also show leadership qualities in civic, cultural or professional activities in the military or civilian community. Furthermore, candidates also are involved in off-duty, professional self-improvement programs. The award reflects an Airmen's cumulative efforts, not one significant event, and is presented to a reservist paralegal who doesn't serve on an Active Guard Reserve tour during the calendar year for which the award is given.

Sergeant Peters, NCOIC of General Law, said the David Westbrook Award is the first award of her career.

"Everything that I did was in my opinion, my job and things that needed to be done to get our mission accomplished," the technical sergeant said. "I think it shows that when you put 110-percent into your job, people notice even when you think they aren't watching."

She too, also credited her peers and leadership for the honor.

"I could not have won without the support and help of the other individuals in my office," Sergeant Peters said. "I have amazing leadership who supports us wholeheartedly. Co-workers are also a great support. Without them, I couldn't do my job."