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Utah Native Is Army's Soldier Of The Year

US Army Alaska-North Public Affairs

A Utah native is the latest recipient of the U.S. Army’s prestigious ‘Soldier of the Year’ award. Army Spc. Adam Christensen of Smithfield received the award last month after competing against 23 fellow soldiers at Fort Lee, Virginia.

“It was an honor to be singled out among so many of the best soldiers I’ve met in my life," he said. "At the Department of the Army competition, they were the best of the best; so to be recognized among them was just incredible.”

Christensen is part of the 472nd Military Police Company at his base just outside of Fairbanks, Alaska. The 29-year-old graduated from Sky View High School and says growing up in Cache Valley helped prepare him for his service and leadership roles.

“The Army has values of leadership and respect and selfless service, and those things are just a way of life in Cache Valley that correlate directly into what the Army tries to promote in its soldiers. So it’s just something that comes naturally to me," he added.

Competition events include a physical training test, land navigation and other tasks deemed necessary for survival on the battlefield, including casualty evaluation and marksmanship.