Soldier Spotlight – October 29, 2021

Staff Sgt. Sophia Flagg is the oldest of seven kids, so she knows how to get people to work as a team. Originally from Melbourne, Florida, she’s been in the Army for 15 years and currently serves with #Team21 in the 266th Financial Management Support Center- FMSC as the administrative and operations NCO.

“I enjoy being able to teach and mentor Soldiers across the formation,” Flagg said. “I appreciate being able to travel and meet new people, as I am a ’people person.’”

Recently that extended into her work with the Afghan travelers staying temporarily at Rhine Ordnance Barracks, where she led her team in assisting with the clean up of POD 51. The job was tough, she said, because there were only about 20-30 service members cleaning up after about 1,000 people, and they needed to make sure the area was ready for a new influx of travelers.

“I drew a lot of strength from 1st Sgt. [Moore],” Flagg said. “She was out there like Mother Theresa, every single day. And I thought, if she can do this, I can do this, too. Helping pick up garbage, talking to people, bringing shoes to the kids. It inspired me.”

Flagg said she tried to inspire her team in the same way, helping to motivate them through encouragement and setting the example.

“If I’m going to tell anybody to do anything, I’m going to do it first,” she said. “Get hot water, get bleach. We are going to make this happen! Soldiers were motivated by that. I don’t think I did anything special — just trying to get out there and be an NCO.”

21st TSC Special Troops Battalion 1st Sgt. Jacinta Moore praised Flagg’s focus-driven energy and her ability to bring her team together.

“She was fully engaged and took charge of the team to support the reconstruction of the POD 51 for the arrival of the second population of up to 1,500 travelers,” Moore said. “Her leadership and presence was paramount in the successful turnover and completion of the mission.”