FORT HOOD, Texas –
On the southern coast of Barbados, Christian King first began playing the game that would change his life.
Cricket and soccer traditionally grew in popularity among Bajans in the small Caribbean nation. After watching his neighbors play the game, King chose soccer. He enjoyed the freedom and creativity of the sport and started playing in youth leagues.
King played center midfield allowing him to impact both the front and back lines while practicing in the coastal town of Christ Church.
King dreamed of one day playing soccer professionally. That pursuit eventually took him first to play collegiately in Michigan, professionally in Armenia and finally to the All-Army team.
King knew he could sprint fast. He could dazzle opponents with his dribbling and passing but entered the U.S. as an unknown talent.
"I knew I was more creative than a lot of guys but I didn't realize how good I was in comparison," said King, now a logistics captain stationed at Fort Hood. "Growing up in Barbados a lot of us, we run a lot, we enjoy scoring goals a lot of us are on the same level.
"Until I got to the U.S, then I realized I have a talent ... that distinguishes me from other players."
As the squad's most experienced player in the 2025 Armed Forces Men's Soccer Championship, he mentors younger players in his fourth season on the team.
King helped lead the All-Army team to two Armed Forces Championships in 2019 and 2023. In 2019 King represented the U.S. in Wuhan, China to compete in the World Military Games as a member of the All-Armed Forces Men's soccer.
On the pitch, King directs Army's sets and keeps teammates in line, All-Army coach Raul Almendarez said.
"His impact as a soccer player goes far beyond his performance on the field," Almendarez added. "His ability to communicate and motivate others set him apart."
After moving to Michigan from Barbados at age 17, he earned a scholarship to play soccer for three years at Division I University of Detroit, but later transferred to Cal State.
Following graduation, King played overseas for the Armenian Premiere League for FC Ararat. He started the season coming off the bench but worked his way into the starting lineup by the fifth game. He returned to U.S. moving to Southern California after and began coaching youth soccer at Pacifica Christian High School in Santa Monica.
He shared a bedroom with his brother living in a small house in Compton, a suburb of Los Angeles. He worked as many as three jobs at one time in the L.A. area while still hoping for another opportunity to play for a pro team.
"It was just really tough," he said. "A lot of commutes. A lot of long days."
His mom, living in Chicago at the time, had seen enough. She encouraged him to join the military.
"Soccer at that time professionally was not paying the bills," King said. "And my mom was always very patriotic and she always encouraged me to seek opportunities through the military."
He enlisted in the military in November 2016 as a chemical, biological, radiological, and nuclear (CBRN) specialist and commissioned at Fort Benning's Officer Candidate School in 2020.
"The Army brought me a sense of responsibility," he said. "It's helped me mature as an individual. The Army has instilled in me leadership principles and overall good values."
After defeating Air Force 2-1 in the championship match at the 2019 Armed Forces Soccer Championship, King, along with four other Army team members, earned spots on the All-Armed Forces team.
King said he has made dozens of friends across the world and the country and wants to continue playing for the All-Army team as long as his desire to play remains. He helped lead Army to the 2025 Armed Forces Men's Soccer Championship game vs Air Force.
"I still have a passion for the game. I still love it," said King, 35. "I still love being a part of this program, it gave me an opportunity to train at a higher level and at a higher intensity.
"I always enjoy the camaraderie; the team spirit. I feel like I still have something to contribute to the team."