2022 Outstanding Young Military Awards Recipients

Lieutenant Commander Stewart Sibert – United States Coast Guard

LCDR Stew Sibert is an exceptional & dynamic young attorney who has rapidly distinguished himself and demonstrated impeccable judgement. In his first legal assignment, he dove into the center of a war crimes trial that drew sustained interest from the national media & President. Despite the unprecedented challenge, he was a key part of the team that secured the dismissal of all charges.

Later, he was hand-picked as defense counsel on what may be the most highprofile criminal case the Coast Guard tried in a decade, again securing dismissal or acquittal of the most serious charges.

By all accounts he is a tenacious advocate in the court room. He now serves as the Acting Deputy Chief of Information & Intelligence Law and maintains his normal duties as the Legal Advisor for Cyberspace Forces. As one of our very few cyber attorneys, he has played a key role in shaping strategy, industry regulations, & operations as we move to adapt to the challenging realities of cyberspace. Outside of his cyber role, he is a natural leader within the intel and information law space and guides a team of attorneys overseeing and advising Coast Guard intelligence operations worldwide.

In his personal capacity, Stew volunteers with the Air Force Auxiliary, providing leadership training at his local squadron. There, he helps support about 50 cadets as they prepare to serve their community, state, & nation. He also gives back to his alma mater as a member of the Academy Alumni Association’s Board of Directors, supporting a margin of excellence for cadet programs and providing lifelong support to 6,500 members.

LCDR Sibert has truly distinguished himself as an outstanding military lawyer.

Lieutenant Commander Tanya Nikam – United States Navy

Lieutenant Commander Nikam has continuously distinguished herself as a professional and selfless military officer. Whether at sea, overseas, or in the U.S., she is an inspiring mentor, leader and professionally astute attorney who seeks out and successfully accomplishes every challenging task and assignment.

She earned accolades after an exemplary and demanding overseas tour in Bahrain, and then worked to ensure a fair process for wounded, ill, and injured Sailors and Marines at the Secretary of the Navy’s Physical Evaluation Board. She embraced and exceled as the Operations Officer at the Office of Judge Advocate General, where she made lasting positive impacts on the growth and professional development of personnel assigned to the Navy’s Judge Advocate General’s Corps.

At Commander, Naval Surface Force, U.S. Pacific Fleet, she proactively developed and executed a new legal assist visit program where she visited 110 ships and commands throughout the Pacific Fleet Area of Responsibility to review records and train commands to maintain legal standard. In her current position, she serves as the Deputy Staff Judge Advocate, Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Information Warfare/Director of Naval Intelligence where she is making Navy-wide enhancements to intelligence training and policy.

She is also a dedicated community leader and volunteer, who currently mentors undergraduate students at the George Washington University.

Lieutenant Commander Nikam is a model judge advocate who consistently goes above and beyond to lead and mentor others, exemplifying the characteristics we seek in our military officers and lawyers.

Major Samantha A. Sliney – United States Air Force

Major Samantha A. Sliney has served in the Air Force for eight years as a Staff Judge Advocate, Area Defense Counsel, Deputy Staff Judge Advocate, Trial Counsel, Chief of Military Justice, Chief of Litigation, Chief of Legal Assistance, and Accident Investigation Board Legal Advisor. As the 724th Special Tactics Group Staff Judge Advocate, she leads legal services for a 724 total force personnel special operations group across five stateside and overseas locations and serves a joint task force legal advisor for POTUS-directed missions.

Maj Sliney’s work performance, leadership, and dedication to the mission have resulted in the cumulation of numerous Air Force and civilian awards not only for herself but the Airmen she leads every day. Major Sliney’s proven results are evidence by her numerous accomplishments including brokering cross-service agreements to ensure efficient military justice processing and building relationships in the joint environment to execute POTUS-directed missions worldwide. She is a staunch advocate for her clients and always demonstrates her legal prowess and zealous advocacy.

Any commander or Airmen would be lucky to have her as their legal advisor and advocate. Maj Sliney’s leadership with the Department of the Air Force Women’s Initiative Team have culminated in barriers to women service being addressed at both the Department of the Air Force and Department of Defense levels, increasing support and opportunities for women across the Department of Defense through strategic policy change. In the community, she continues to serve in numerous leadership roles in various bar affinity groups and is a dedicated volunteer for Gold Star families.

Captain Vy Nguyen – United States Army

CPT Nguyen is a consummate professional. Recently recognized as an “up and coming female National Security Law practitioner” by The Judge Advocate General’s Legal Center and School’s National Security Law Department, CPT Nguyen demonstrates exceptional expertise and has made significant contributions to the Army’s practice of law.

Her superior legal acumen has been a tremendous asset to the Judge Advocate General Corps in all of her assignments – resulting in her selection for some of the most challenging and intellectually difficult assignments for young Captains. As a Trial Defense Counsel, CPT Nguyen zealously advocates for her clients with an attention to detail that far surpasses what one would expect of a more seasoned counsel. CPT Nguyen consistently impresses the senior officers she works with and her fresh perspective generates thoughtful and productive discussions.

CPT Nguyen is committed to developing and mentoring both young officers and Soldiers. She challenges others to reach higher than they thought possible through her motivational attitude and personal success. She shares her knowledge and experience not just through leading Leadership Professional Development trainings (LPDs), but also through educational publications to share her knowledge and experience with other counsel.

In addition to her publication in the Army Lawyer, CPT Nguyen has also spoken at speaking engagements on the topics of Criminal International Law, Standing Rules of Engagement and Law of Armed Conflict, and Cultural Property Protection.

CPT Nguyen consistently leads from the front and is an inspiration to behold.

Captain Shannon Hillery – United States Marine Corps

In every aspect, Captain Hillery achieves the highest degrees of professionalism and proficiency as a Marine Officer and as an attorney. She holds others to the same exacting standards she holds herself and will tirelessly work for the benefit of the team. Organizations, teams, Marines – all are made better because of Captain Hillery’s impact.

She works untiringly to advise and mentor the Marine Corps’ junior attorneys and Marines. Her breadth of experiences is unique; she has held every critical billet within the company grade judge advocate career progression. As a prosecutor, defense counsel, company commander, and at Headquarters Marine Corps, Captain Hillery has exceled.

She is an exceptional young officer poised for even greater achievements over and above her already well-earned, selfless reputation and accomplishments.