MARTINSBURG, W.Va. -- Master Sgt. Sonia Walls is a paralegal for the 167th Airlift Wing. She has been in the unit for 12 years.
As the non-commissioned officer in charge of paralegal, she is responsible for assisting the wing’s Staff Judge Advocate in providing legal guidance to commanders, first sergeants, supervisors and unit members.
“It is important that our members are always ready for the mission, so my team and I provide things like legal assistance for wills, powers of attorneys, notary assistance, review of legal documents, and tenant and landlord agreements,” Walls said. “Our job is ever so demanding.”
The legal team’s goal is to reinforce the Air Force Core Values and the Uniform Code of Military Justice, she said.
“As the law office superintendent, Master Sgt. Walls is not only my right-hand person in managing the enlisted Judge Advocate personnel and the legal operations, she is also my trusted confidant and grounding force,” said Maj. Jenny Naylor, 167th Airlift Wing Judge Advocate General. “I sincerely appreciate her energy, enthusiasm, and commitment to the legal profession, and her contagious positivity and optimism that ceaselessly brighten our shared work life.”
When not in wearing the uniform, Walls is an auditor and runs a property management business with her husband.
“People may be surprised to know that I love construction work and building things with my hands,” Walls said.
She installs cabinets, dry wall and floor tiles but said she leaves the electrical work to her husband.
She hopes to buy a senior living apartment building in the future.
She also intends to grow her family by becoming a foster parent.
“I am proudest of my family to include my two grand kids, two daughters, my son-in-law and my wonderful, always supportive husband,” she said.
Walls has a master’s degree in business administration, a bachelor’s degree in accounting and two associate degrees, one in paralegal and one in information management.
Her military career goals include finding time to complete her professional military education in order to be promoted to the top enlisted ranks.
Walls lists a number of lessons she has learned in her career both from family members and supervisors: kindness, patience, listening and communicating, and empathy.
“I have been so blessed and had some amazing role models throughout my life. I would like to take what I have learned from them and use it to help others. That includes being a role model for every Airmen I see who is in need of assistance,” Walls said. “If I can help one person know that they are worthy and capable of doing whatever they put their mind to, that would be a blessing for me.”
Her advice to the newest Airmen is to stay productive. “If you see something that is not right or that is not efficient, then think of a way to make it better,” she said. “Bring some solutions to the discussion.”
Walls’ hobbies include biking, fishing, camping, skydiving and white water rafting. “I rafted a class four rapid in Maine, and was thrown into the water,” she said.
She also volunteers 10 hours a week as the financial secretary for her church.