MSG Christopher Williams-Sonsteng, enlisted in the Army Reserves on 13 February 2002 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, attended Basic Training at Fort Jackson, South Carolina and attended Advanced Individual Training as an Ammunition Specialist formerly known as 55B(89B) at Redstone Arsenal, Alabama.
MSG Williams has held several duty positions from Ammunition Specialist, Ammunition Stock Contracting Actions NCO, and Ammunition Stock Control NCO with the 19th Material Management Center (MMC), HMMWV Egress Assistance Trainer (HEAT) Instructor, Observer Controller Trainer (OCT), and Single Integrated Training Strategy Coordinator (SITSC), Combatives Instructor for the 1-340th Training Support Battalion, Warrior Leader Course (WLC) Small Group Leader (SGL) and WLC Senior Small Group Leader (SSGL) with the Fort McCoy NCO Academy, Ammunition Senior Inspector and First Sergeant with the 221st Ordnance Company, Ammunition Senior Inspector and Headquarters Platoon Sergeant with the 452nd Ordnance Company, Reserve Component Office Senior Operations NCO and USAR AIT Liaison for the 59th Ordnance Brigade, and currently assigned as the Basic Leader Course Manager with the Camp Parks NCOA.
MSG Williams’ state side assignments includes Arden Hills, Minnesota, Fort Snelling, Minnesota, Fort McCoy, Wisconsin, Fort Wayne, Indiana, Aberdeen, South Dakota, Fort Lee, VA, and Camp Parks, CA. MSG Williams’ overseas assignment include a deployment to Balad, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom as an Ammunition Stock Contracting Actions NCO with the 19th MMC.
MSG Williams has received numerous awards and decorations throughout his career including Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal with five bronze loops, Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal with two stars, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary, Armed Forces Service Ribbon, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with a gold Hourglass and “M” device, NCO Professional Development Ribbon with numeral four, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon. While assigned to the 1-340th BN, the unit received the Army Superior Unit Award. MSG Williams was also awarded the Ordnance Order of Samuel Sharpe, Basic Army Instructor Badge, and the German Armed Proficiency Badge (GAFB).
MSG Williams’ military education includes Technical Transport of Hazardous Materials Course, Warrior Leader Course, Basic Noncommissioned Officers Course Phase One, Combatives Level 1, OCT Instructor Course, Army Basic Instructor Course, Combatives Level 2, Small Group Instructor Course, Combat Lifesaver Course, Blackboard Basics Instructor Training Course, Master Fitness Course, Battle Staff Noncommissioned Officer Course, Advanced Leader Course, Basic Combatives Instructor Course Level 3, Senior Leader Course, ATRRS Operator Course, and Master Leader Course.
MSG Williams currently resides at Camp Parks, CA with his wife and three children.