Former plumber pumped at taking Army’s Best Warrior award

Self-improvement is generally measured in small victories, like losing that last couple of pounds, quitting smoking or enrolling in a college course.

Army Spc. Adam Christensen, the new soldier of the year in the Armys Best Warrior Competition at Fort Lee, Va., has never been one for small victories.

Three years ago, Christensen spent his days under a kitchen sink, turning wrenches and unclogging drains. But he longed to be a part of something bigger; he wanted to serve his country and, most importantly, provide a better life for his family. So the plumber from Smithfield, Utah, joined the Army.

It wasnt smooth sailing at first. He failed his first physical fitness assessment with his recruiter, which would have helped him advance prior to boot camp. But the defeat only made him work harder. By the end of boot camp, he was getting the highest marks possible.

That drive, discipline and laser-sharp focus has only picked up steam. In late November, the 29-year-old military policeman beat out the Armys best from every major command in a series of events that tested both physical and mental prowess.

When he called to tell his wife he had won the prestigious competition as the Armys top enlisted warrior, she was speechless and began to cry, Christensen said this week after returning to his Arctic Titans at Fort Wainwright, Alaska.

His commanding officers at the 472nd Military Police Company were not quite as surprised.

I was confident he was going to do well, 1st Lt. Stephen Stosberg said of Christensen.

Stosberg said that being a bit older and coming from the blue-collar workforce instilled in Christensen a work ethic, drive to improve and maturity not seen in every soldier. He was made team leader in his platoon as a private.

He knows what he needs to do to be successful, Stosberg said. He constantly seeks self-improvement.

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Former plumber pumped at taking Army's Best Warrior award