A native of Eldridge, Iowa, Christa grew up with a love of music, starting on the piano and later playing the saxophone through college. The musical tradition transcended both sides of her family, including her Aunt Donna, a fabulous singer who performed for Bob Hope. She has followed music every place she has lived around the world, passing the tradition to her children, a soprano vocalist and a saxophone player.

 

Christa’s path took her in a different direction, seizing the opportunity to serve in the Army. She initially enlisted in 2004 as a Human Resources Specialist spending time at Fort Carson, Colorado where she was recognized as the Adjutant General Corps Regimental Association Soldier of the Year. Following her assignment to Fort Carson she had the opportunity to move her family overseas to Belgium where she worked for NATO’s Supreme Allied Commander, Europe. After she commissioned as a Military Intelligence Officer in 2013, Christa spent time in a myriad of positions in field artillery, military intelligence, aviation, and infantry units. Her time as the Battalion Intelligence Officer and as Commander, Headquarters and Headquarters Company 4th Battalion, 3d U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) introduced her to military ceremonies and outreach and the military music tradition.

 

Christa’s service continued at the Pentagon as an executive officer and in military intelligence modernization. She is currently a student at the U.S. Naval War College in Newport, R.I. and will return to Virginia upon graduation. Her service has taken her to both Iraq and Afghanistan in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

 

A lifetime of service, Christa started volunteering as a teenager, spending time in Honduras, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. She has continued giving back by working with the Girl Scouts, animal shelters, and as a Sunday School teacher as well as other organizations throughout the years. But everything she has done is for her family. The most important work she has accomplished is being a mom to Angelina and Kent Jr.