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AG Corps "Of the Year" Winners for 2023

Bob OrtizBob Ortiz

Bob Ortiz

4 min read
AG Corps "Of the Year" Winners for 2023

U.S. Army Adjutant General’s Corps announces “Of the Year” Winners

Columbia, South Carolina. On Thursday, June 15th the United States Army Adjutant General’s Corps celebrated its 248th birthday with a National Ball hosted by the Adjutant General’s Corps Regimental Association (AGCRA). On June 16, 1775, the Continental Congress appointed George Washington as General of the Continental Army, and the following day, he appointed Horatio Gates as his Adjutant. Traditionally, the Adjutant General’s Corps celebrates this act as its birthday and its place in U.S. Army history as the second oldest corps. This year the ball was the culmination of a week of engagements focused on the Army’s Human Resources capabilities and future strategy to support Soldiers and their Families. A highlight of the week’s events was our competition for the best Adjutant General Soldier, Non-Commissioned Officer, Warrant Officer, and Officer of the Year.

Three individuals in each category were selected to compete based on nominations submitted by their respective commands.  For the first time, our top three finalists competed in person in a series of events. Over four days, the competitors completed a height and weight certification, the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT), an M4 qualification range, a writing assignment, an HR technical test, Warrior Tasks and Battle Drills, an Equal Opportunity and Sexual Harassment and Rape Prevention Board, and a panel interview. COL Chesley D. Thigpen, Jr., Commandant of the Adjutant General School and 36th Chief of the Corps said, “This group of individuals is a testament to being a Soldier First representing their organizations and leadership, and each is worthy of recognition.”

The winners were announced during the National Ball and presented with individual awards named in honor of historic Army leaders affiliated with the Adjutant General’s Corps. CPT Samantha Buffey, U.S. Army Forces Command, received the AGCRA LTG Timothy J. Maude Medal as Officer of the Year. CW3 Matar Amit, U.S. Army Reserve Command, received the AGCRA CW5 Daniel J. Logan, Jr. Medal as Warrant Officer of the Year. SFC Dacquarius Payne, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command, was recognized as Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, and SPC Trinity Barnes, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, was recognized as the Soldier of Year.  Both SFC Payne and SPC Barnes received the AGCRA SGM Larry L. Strickland Medal.

CPT Samantha Buffey, AG Corps Officer of the Year. Presenting the AGCRA LTG Timothy J. Maude Medal to CPT Buffey are LTG Douglas F. Stitt (left), Army G1, and COL Chesley D. Thigpen, Jr., Commandant of the Adjutant General School and 36th Chief of the Corps.

CW3 Matar Amit, AG Corps Warrant Officer of the Year. Presenting the AGCRA CW5 Daniel J. Logan, Jr. Medal are Mrs. Linda Logan and CW5 Mark W. Hickman, Chief Warrant Officer of the Corps.

SFC Dacquarius Payne, AG Corps Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year. Presenting the AGCRA SGM Larry L. Strickland Medal are SGM Christopher P. Stevens, Army G1 Sergeant Major, and CSM Tamika L. DeVeaux, Adjutant General School Command Sergeant Major and the Command Sergeant Major of the Corps.

SPC Trinity Barnes, AG Corps Soldier of the Year. Presenting the AGCRA SGM Larry L. Strickland Medal are SGM Christopher P. Stevens, Army G1 Sergeant Major, and CSM Tamika L. DeVeaux, Adjutant General School Command Sergeant Major and the Command Sergeant Major of the Corps.

In addition to these competitors, additional awards were made to Mrs. Erika Barnes, National Training Center, and Mr. Don Bohn, Readiness Division Human Resources Command, as Civilian and Senior Civilian of the Year. Mrs. Kinwana McGrigg was recognized as Spouse of the Year. The Civilians of the Year received the AGCRA John J. Dinnien Medal while Mrs. McGrigg received the AGCRA Esther De Berdt Reed Medal.

Mrs. Erika Barnes, AG Corps Civilian of the Year. Presenting the AGCRA John J. Dinnien Medal are Mr. Ward D. Ward, Deputy Commandant, Adjutant General School, and COL Chesley D. Thigpen, Jr., Commandant of the Adjutant General School and 36th Chief of the Corps.

Mrs. Kinwana McGrigg was recognized as the AG Corps Spouse of the Year and received the AGCRA Esther De Berdt Reed Medal.

Please share congratulations to these great AG professionals on their significant accomplishments.  We look forward to next year’s nominations for these prestigious recognitions.

The history of the AGCRA awards presented to the AG Corps "Of the Year" Winners for 2023 can be found at https://www.agcra.com/awards

Defend and Serve! Be All You Can Be!