The 2022 Distinguished Members of the Regiment
Our Regimental Honors Program exists to promote esprit de corps and team building. Part of that includes the recognition of individuals who have contributed significantly to the Judge Advocate General’s (JAG) Corps while also preserving the history of our treasured Regiment. Recognizing Distinguished and Honorary Members of our Regiment helps to perpetuate traditions and enhance morale and esprit by serving as a link to our history for today’s Judge Advocate Legal Services (JALS) members. This year, I am pleased to highlight four outstanding individuals selected to join the esteemed ranks of Distinguished Members of our Regiment: Colonel (Ret) Don Curry, Colonel (Ret) Thomas Strassburg, Regimental Command Sergeant Major (Ret) Troy Tyler, and Sergeant Major (Ret) Teresa Roman.
Colonel (Ret) Don Curry served in the active military with distinction for 30 years, culminating as the Staff Judge Advocate (SJA) for the US Army Training and Doctrine Command (TRADOC). After retiring from the military in 2010, he served in the private and public sector, to include time in the legal office of the Army’s Office of Congressional Legislative Liaison, and most recently serving as the Director of TRADOC’s Congressional Activities Office. During his 10 years as an Army Civilian, Don remained vigilant in working closely with JAG Corps leadership on myriad emerging legal issues, and served as a sage sounding board, mentor, and friend to countless SJAs, among many others. Colonel (Ret) Curry, pictured below with his spouse Mary, was recognized at the 2022 Regimental Ball on Fort Myer, VA, on 17 September 2022 (bottom left picture).
Colonel (Ret) Thomas Strassburg joined the JAG Corps under the “excess leave” program and was appointed to the JAG Corps during the Vietnam War, where he proudly served with the 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile) “Screaming Eagles” and later retiring from the military in 1991 while serving as the Commandant of what was then called The Judge Advocate General’s School (TJAGSA). Since retiring, Tom has been heavily involved in the Retired Association of Judge Advocates (RAJA) and is considered the ‘glue holding RAJA together’ serving as a member of the RAJA Board of Directors and the organization’s webmaster. He has also been the most ardent supporter of our Regimental Home in Charlottesville. Colonel (Ret) Strassburg, pictured below with his spouse Nancy, was recognized for his never ending stewardship at the Worldwide Continuing Legal Education (WWCLE) formal event in Charlottesville, Virginia on 13 September 2022 (bottom middle picture).
Regimental Command Sergeant Major (RCSM) (Ret) Troy Tyler enlisted in the Army in 1985 and rose to the pinnacle enlisted position within the Corps when he was appointed as the 11th Regimental Command Sergeant Major. As he did during his military career, he continues to place his team ahead of self, mentor countless paralegals, and serve as a trusted advisor to JAG Corps leaders. As another example of his continued servant leadership, Troy served as a conduit for many JALS personnel in their transition from the military to civilian employment. Troy is presently the Board Executive SES of the Patent Trial and Appeal Board in Alexandria, Virginia. RCSM (Ret) Tyler, pictured below with his spouse Rosilind, was recognized for his endless dedication to our Corps at the 2022 Regimental Ball on Fort Myer on 17 September 2022 (bottom right picture).
Finally, Sergeant Major (SGM) (Ret) Teresa Roman retired from the military in 2008 after 30 years of active military service, culminating as the US Army South SGM / Chief Paralegal NCO, Fort Buchanan, Puerto Rico. She recently relinquished responsibility as the Honorary Sergeant Major of the Regiment, after serving as a trusted advisor to multiple Regimental Command Sergeants Major in this honorary position for nine years! Teresa is the Senior Physical Evaluations Board Paralegal for the Office of Soldiers’ Counsel and continues to serve Soldiers in that capacity today. Throughout her career, she always placed people first and coached and mentored an untold number of Soldiers. SGM (Ret) Roman was recognized for her faithfulness to the Corps at the WWCLE formal event in Charlottesville, Virginia on 13 September 2022 (bottom middle picture). Please join MG Berger and I in congratulating two JAG Corps legends!
We extend our most sincere and heartfelt thanks to these extraordinary individuals for their continued stewardship, leadership, and dedication to the Regiment.
//ORIGINAL SIGNED//
STUART W. RISCH
Lieutenant General, USA
The Judge Advocate General