FORT KNOX, Ky – Everyone has a purpose. For Cadet Christopher King, assigned to 2nd Regiment, Advanced Camp, from New Mexico Military Institute, becoming a Chaplain for the United States Army has been his calling for a while.

Even though King grew up Jewish, he claims he did not become religious until 2020.

His journey with religion started during the COVID-19 pandemic, when he became “really depressed” from being locked inside all day. That feeling continued until one day, he was scrolling through YouTube and found a video from a channel called “Jesus Saves,” and immediately became interested. Not long after that, he reached out to a representative, spoke to him about Christ and from that day on, he lived everyday for God.

King gives a lot of his credit to his grandmother, an immigrant from Haiti, who came to America in 1984 for her family.

He followed his goals all the way to the U.S. Army, where he knew he was needed from an early age. Although, when he started his journey, he did not know which route to take.

“I’m learning that I can lead America’s sons and daughters into battle, or teach them things,” King said when asked about his initial reason for enlisting. “[I am] giving back to America, [just] as much as America has given to my family.”

But in the end, once he learned more about all the positions that the Army had to offer, his perspective on his calling in life changed.

King realized that his calling differed drastically from his initial reason for enlisting, and with the help from others he landed on one end goal — becoming a Chaplain for the Army.

King believes that being a Chaplain for the U.S. Army is exactly the calling God has for him. His moment of realization came the day that he read a statistic and learned 22 veterans are victims of suicide each day. From that day on, he knew and understood the difference and impact he could make if he could simply talk to the Soldiers and be there for them in the ways that they need.

“Saving one life is like saving thousands,” he said.

King thinks that Cadet Summer Training (CST) is the right next step to his goal. Going through CST and knowing he is becoming a second Lieutenant, and following the right path to his passion, pushes him to keep going every day. He even gets support from the Cadets around him, with all of them being excited for his future and already calling him Chaplain, the title he wants most.

“God’s made that call for me, and being here today is just proving it,” King said.