Senior Master Sgt. Sonja Berry Approaches Retirement with Fond Exchange Memories

The first in a series highlighting service members assigned to the Exchange

Being assigned to the Exchange has extended the meaning of serving those who serve for Exchange Assistant Director of Public Health and Food Safety Senior Master Sgt. Sonja Berry. As her assignment ends in September, Berry will retire after 26 years of service with the Air Force with fond memories of her military journey.

Berry, one of about 30 service members assigned to the Exchange, was inspired to join the military when she learned that the Air Force would fund her college education as part of its benefit.

“After high school, I didn’t have a lot going on,” Berry recalled. “I was working at the post office, living with my grandma and I wanted something more.”

She was assigned to the public health career field in the Air Force, where she taught classes, tracked current vaccines for Airmen, monitored diseases and completed food inspection, safety and sanitation practices.

“Being an Airman Leadership School instructor at Peterson Air Force Base was the most fulfilling,” Berry said. “I taught a course that all Airmen must take before becoming non-commissioned officers.”

Berry deployed to Iraq in 2004 during Operation Iraqi Freedom and developed an affinity for the Exchange, learning what “family serving family” means.

“The Exchange was the best thing for sanity,” she said. “I remember buying a DVD player and snacks. In those moments, I realized with that small piece of home how important the Exchange is.”

After being stationed at Fairchild AFB for 18 months, Berry received a promotion to senior master sergeant and was assigned to the Exchange, giving her a chance to bring her military expertise to the Services and Food Directorate.

Since 2019, she has advised associates worldwide on best practices, regulations and more in public health and food safety. Her first challenge in the role was taking on ever-changing guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We briefed disaster support groups for the CONUS, Pacific and Europe regions and provided epidemiology data on new occurrences of the cases worldwide as well as deaths,” Berry said. “During the early stages of the pandemic, we were receiving different guidance from the Centers for Disease Control regularly, and it was a challenge to keep pace with the new information and share it accordingly,” Berry said.

Her next stop is Colorado Springs, returning to the state after being stationed at Peterson Air Force Base more than 10 years ago.

“I’ll be pursuing a master of arts in professional creative writing with a concentration in professional creative nonfiction from the University of Denver – University College,” she said. “I’m interested in freelance writing as my post-military career.”

The Exchange will remain a part of Berry’s military career in more ways than one. “Coming into this assignment, I was excited to learn more about the Exchange’s mission and see how it operates from the inside,” she said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to meet Exchange associates and it’s been a great experience.”