During this year’s Army Physical Fitness Test, University of Alabama Army ROTC cadet Christina Jones scored higher than any other female within her 450-person regiment.
The test was held as a part of the Army ROTC’s Leader Development and Assessment Course, and Jones came out on top.
According to a media release from the Army, the fitness test includes push-ups, sit-ups and a two-mile run that is designed to measure upper body, core strength, leg muscle and endurance. Passing the test is necessary in order to become commissioned as a U.S. Army lieutenant.
Jones said she knew she performed well, but did not expect to be the highest scorer.
“I didn’t know I was going to be number one, and it’s just good to know that hard work pays off,” she said. “I worked my butt off every single day, and I was constantly exercising and just doing what I needed to do.”
Jones grew up as a military brat, moving to a new place every three years. She said her childhood was like a series of new adventures, and her father’s military career inspired her to join ROTC.
“My dad has been in the Army for the past 23 years, and I’ve seen the opportunities it has afforded him,” she said. “I just think that the Army is a perfect fit for me, and that’s why I did Army ROTC, and I have loved every minute of it.”
During Jones’ four years of ROTC, she said she has done things that she never would have thought possible.
“I’ve done thing that I never thought I could do, like jumping out of airplanes and going to Africa and being a translator,” she said. “We also taught English to police officers in Africa who were French-speaking.”
The first day Jones arrived at Joint Base Lewis-McChord in Washington to attend the training course, she met Warren Galloway and Ashley McCall.
Initially, Galloway said he thought Jones was reserved, but now he attributes that to the fact they were all a bit out of their element on the first day.
“She is definitely outgoing and very talkative, but at the same time, when it comes time to be serious, she’s a very hard charger,” Galloway said.
McCall, on the other hand, remembers different traits about Jones.
“She’s an Alabama girl, very sweet,” McCall said. “She is always upbeat and the more motherly figure within her squad, I’d say.”
Although Jones majors in French at the University, she wants to be a field artillery officer in the Army.
Galloway said that based on Jones’ determination and effort, he knows her military career will go far.
“She puts forth effort, and you can see it in everything she does,” Galloway said. “She is definitely going to excel as an officer and lead some great soldiers.”
