Christina Kilpatrick

Culinary Specialist Petty Officer 1st Class Christina “KP” Kilpatrick enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 2010 to gain new skills, build a professional network, and better her life. She earned her American Culinary Federation certification and served three admirals in Naples, Italy, mastering the complexity of preparing a twelve-course meal. Yet her greatest accomplishment in uniform was not any single meal or achievement, but the mentorship she provided her junior sailors as she trained the next generation to feed the fleet. After her idiopathic hyper-insomnia began to significantly impact her quality of life and ability to function at peak performance, she found support for her non-medical needs through Navy Wounded Warrior. She was drawn to archery, which she finds grounds her and calms her thoughts, easing her ADHD symptoms. Adaptive sports pulled Kilpatrick out of her comfort zone and helped build a new community with other Sailors and Coast Guardsmen who understand and appreciate her, regardless of her invisible injuries. Away from competition, Kilpatrick spends time reading and creating memories with her family. She married her childhood sweetheart and together they are raising their blended family of five kids. This experience models for them that healing, growth, and new adventures are always possible.