Gregory C. Knight (born October 1, 1962) is a

United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the land service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army of the United States in the U.S. Constitution.Article II, section 2, cla ...

officer. In 2019, he was selected to serve as Adjutant General of

Vermont Vermont () is a state in the northeast New England region of the United States. Vermont is bordered by the states of Massachusetts to the south, New Hampshire to the east, and New York to the west, and the Canadian province of Quebec to ...

Early life

Gregory Clark Knight was born in Fairfax, Virginia on October 1, 1962, the son of Walter and Lotte Knight. In 1980, he graduated from Groveton High School in

Alexandria, Virginia Alexandria is an independent city (United States), independent city in the northern region of the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Virginia, United States. It lies on the western bank of the Potomac River approximately south of Downto ...

. After completing high school, Knight served in the

United States Coast Guard The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is the maritime security, search and rescue, and law enforcement service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the country's eight uniformed services. The service is a maritime, military, mult ...

. Upon moving to Vermont, Knight worked as a police officer for the city of

Burlington Burlington may refer to: Places Canada Geography * Burlington, Newfoundland and Labrador * Burlington, Nova Scotia * Burlington, Ontario, the most populous city with the name "Burlington" * Burlington, Prince Edward Island * Burlington Bay, no ...

and as chief investigator for the state Department of Liquor Control. He also served in the Vermont Air National Guard as a Security Forces specialist. Knight graduated from officer candidate school in 1997 and received his commission as a

second lieutenant Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces, comparable to NATO OF-1 rank. Australia The rank of second lieutenant existed in the military forces of the Australian colonies and Australian Army until ...

in the Vermont Army National Guard.

Education

Knight received an

associate degree An associate degree is an undergraduate degree awarded after a course of post-secondary study lasting two to three years. It is a level of qualification above a high school diploma, GED, or matriculation, and below a bachelor's degree. The fi ...

in liberal studies from the Community College of Vermont in 1998. In 2001 he received his

Bachelor of Arts Bachelor of arts (BA or AB; from the Latin ', ', or ') is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the arts, or, in some cases, other disciplines. A Bachelor of Arts degree course is generally completed in three or four years ...

degree in history from

Johnson State College Johnson State College was a public liberal arts college in Johnson, Vermont. Founded in 1828 by John Chesamore, in 2018 it was merged with the former Lyndon State College to create Northern Vermont University. History and governance Both the ...

. In 2015, he received a

Master of Arts A Master of Arts ( la, Magister Artium or ''Artium Magister''; abbreviated MA, M.A., AM, or A.M.) is the holder of a master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is usually contrasted with that of Master of Science. Tho ...

degree in education from

Post University Post University is a private for-profit university in Waterbury, Connecticut. It was founded in 1890 as Post College. From 1990 to 2004 it was affiliated with Teikyo University in Tokyo, Japan and during that time it was named Teikyo Post Unive ...

. Knight's military education includes the Armor Officer Basic Course, Armor Captain's Career Course, and United States Army Command and General Staff College. In 2016, he received a master of arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.

Continued career

After receiving his commission, Knight served initially as a platoon leader with Vermont's Military Police detachment. He was then assigned as an Armor platoon leader with Company C, 1st Battalion, 172nd Armor in Morrisville. In 2000, Knight became a full-time member of the National Guard when he was selected for a position in the

Active Guard Reserve Active Guard Reserve (AGR) refers to a United States Army and United States Air Force federal military program which places Army National Guard and Army Reserve soldiers and Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve airmen on federal active duty st ...

program. His initial assignment was support platoon leader for 1st Battalion, 172nd Armor in

St. Albans St Albans () is a cathedral city in Hertfordshire, England, east of Hemel Hempstead and west of Hatfield, north-west of London, south-west of Welwyn Garden City and south-east of Luton. St Albans was the first major town on the old Roman ro ...

. From 2001 to 2005, Knight was commander of Company B, 1st Battalion, 172nd Armor in Enosburg Falls.

Service in Iraq

Knight served in the

Iraq War {{Infobox military conflict , conflict = Iraq War {{Nobold, {{lang, ar, حرب العراق (Arabic) {{Nobold, {{lang, ku, شەڕی عێراق (Kurdish languages, Kurdish) , partof = the Iraq conflict (2003–present), I ...

in 2006 and 2007. From January 2005 to January 2006, he was assigned as assistant plans, operations and training officer (S-3 Air) for 1st Battalion, 172nd Armor in

Ramadi Ramadi ( ar, ٱلرَّمَادِي ''Ar-Ramādī''; also formerly rendered as ''Rumadiyah'' or ''Rumadiya'') is a city in central Iraq, about west of Baghdad and west of Fallujah. It is the capital and largest city of Al Anbar Governorate whi ...

. From January 2006 to January 2006, Knight was assigned as a task force battle captain (headquarters staff leader and supervisor) for 1st Battalion, 172nd Armor. During its service in Iraq, 1-172 was organized as part of 2nd Infantry Brigade Combat Team, 28th Infantry Division, and took part in the occupation of Ramadi and the 2006 Battle of Ramadi. Knight received the

Bronze Star Medal The Bronze Star Medal (BSM) is a United States Armed Forces decoration awarded to members of the United States Armed Forces for either heroic achievement, heroic service, meritorious achievement, or meritorious service in a combat zone. Wh ...

and the

Iraq Campaign Medal The Iraq Campaign Medal (ICM) is a military award of the United States Armed Forces which was created by Executive Order 13363 of U.S. President George W. Bush on 29 November 2004, and became available for general distribution in June 2005. ...

with two service stars.

Continued career

After returning from Iraq, Knight was assigned as plans, operations and training officer (S-3) for 1st Squadron, 172nd Cavalry Regiment in St. Albans; in 2006, Vermont's 86th Brigade was converted from Armor to Infantry and 1-172 Armor was reorganized as a cavalry squadron. In 2007, Knight was promoted to

major Major (commandant in certain jurisdictions) is a military rank of commissioned officer status, with corresponding ranks existing in many military forces throughout the world. When used unhyphenated and in conjunction with no other indicators ...

and assigned as S-3 for the 86th Brigade's Special Troops Battalion in

Rutland Rutland () is a ceremonial county and unitary authority in the East Midlands, England. The county is bounded to the west and north by Leicestershire, to the northeast by Lincolnshire and the southeast by Northamptonshire. Its greatest len ...

. From 2008 to 2012, Knight commanded the Vermont Army National Guard's Recruiting and Retention Battalion, and he was promoted to

lieutenant colonel Lieutenant colonel ( , ) is a rank of commissioned officers in the armies, most marine forces and some air forces of the world, above a major and below a colonel. Several police forces in the United States use the rank of lieutenant colone ...

in 2012. From 2012 to 2015, Knight was assigned as deputy commander of Vermont's 124th Regiment (Regional Training Institute). He attended the Naval War College from 2015 to 2016, after which he was assigned as the Vermont Army National Guard's deputy chief of staff for personnel (G-1). He was promoted to

colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge of ...

in 2017, and in 2018 he was assigned as commander of the 124th Regiment while serving concurrently as the Vermont National Guard's human resources officer - the manager of the organization's full-time staff.

Adjutant general

In 2018, incumbent adjutant general Steven A. Cray announced his intention to retire from the military. In Vermont, the adjutant general is elected for a two-year term in a secret ballot of the

Vermont General Assembly The Vermont General Assembly is the legislative body of the state of Vermont, in the United States. The Legislature is formally known as the "General Assembly," but the style of "Legislature" is commonly used, including by the body itself. The G ...

. At the time, the election took place in February of each odd-numbered year for a term that began in March. The major candidates for the position after Cray's retirement were Knight and David Baczewski, a retired Vermont Air National Guard

brigadier general Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed ...

. Two other candidates also joined the race—retired Army Lieutenant Colonel David Graham, a former member of the Vermont Army National Guard, and Colonel (Retired) Rosanne Greco, a longtime member of the

United States Air Force The United States Air Force (USAF) is the air service branch of the United States Armed Forces, and is one of the eight uniformed services of the United States. Originally created on 1 August 1907, as a part of the United States Army Signal ...

and resident of

South Burlington South Burlington is a city in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. Along with neighboring Burlington, it is a principal city of the Burlington metropolitan area. As of the 2020 U.S. census, the population was 20,292. It is home to the head ...

who ran to protest the Air Force's plan to base F-35 fighter jets in Vermont. Winning the General Assembly vote requires a majority—91 votes if all 30 senators and 150 house members cast ballots. When lawmakers voted on February 21, 2019, 176 were present. Knight won the election on the first ballot with 95 votes, while Baczewski received 58, Greco 21, and Graham 2. Knight succeeded Cray in March and received a state promotion to

. In June 2020, he was nominated for federal recognition of this promotion. He was federally recognized as a brigadier general on July 30, 2020. In February 2021, the Vermont General Assembly unanimously reelected Knight for a second term. In 2022, the General Assembly passed legislation moving the election of the adjutant general to February of each even-numbered year beginning in 2024, with the two-year term to begin in March. In addition, the legislation includes qualifications candidates for the position must possess, including: having attained the rank of

; be a currently serving member of the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army Reserve, U.S. Air Force Reserve, Army National Guard, or Air National Guard, or be eligible to return to service in the Army or Air National Guard; be a graduate of a Senior Service College; and be eligible for federal recognition as a general officer.

Assignment history

Knight's assignments since receiving his commission include: 14. March 2019 – present, The Adjutant General, Joint Force Headquarters, Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vermont
13. May 2018 - February 2019, Commander, 124th Regiment (Regional Training Institute), Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vermont
12. July 2016 - May 2018, Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel (G-1), Vermont Army National Guard, Joint Force Headquarters, Colchester, Vermont
11. July 2015 - June 2016, Student, United States Naval War College,

Newport, Rhode Island Newport is an American seaside city on Aquidneck Island in Newport County, Rhode Island. It is located in Narragansett Bay, approximately southeast of Providence, Rhode Island, Providence, south of Fall River, Massachusetts, south of Boston, ...

10. October 2012 - July 2015, Deputy Commander, 124th Regiment (Regional Training Institute), Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vermont
9. September 2008 - September 2012, Commander, Recruiting and Retention Battalion, Vermont Army National Guard, Camp Johnson, Colchester, Vermont
8. June 2007 - September 2008, Plans Operations and Training Officer (S-3), Headquarters and Headquarters Company, Brigade Special Troops Battalion (BSTB), 86th Brigade,

Rutland, Vermont Rutland, Vermont may refer to: *Rutland (city), Vermont * Rutland (town), Vermont *Rutland County, Vermont *West Rutland, Vermont West Rutland is a town in Rutland County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,214 at the 2020 census. The t ...

7. June 2006 - June 2007, Plans, Operations and Training Officer (S-3), Headquarters and Headquarters Troop, 1st Squadron, 172nd Cavalry, St. Albans, Vermont
6. January 2006 - June 2006, Task Force Battle Captain, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 172nd Armor,

Iraq Iraq,; ku, عێراق, translit=Êraq officially the Republic of Iraq, '; ku, کۆماری عێراق, translit=Komarî Êraq is a country in Western Asia. It is bordered by Turkey to Iraq–Turkey border, the north, Iran to Iran–Iraq ...

5. January 2005 - January 2006, Assistant Plans, Operations and Training Officer (S-3 Air), Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 172nd Armor, Ramadi, Iraq
4. June 2001 - January 2005, Commander, Company B, 1st Battalion, 172nd Armor,

Enosburg Falls, Vermont Enosburg Falls is a village in the town of Enosburgh in Franklin County, Vermont, in the United States. The population was 1,356 at the 2020 census. Geography The village is located in the northwest corner of the town of Enosburgh along the Mis ...

3. June 2000 - May 2001, Support Platoon Leader, Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 172nd Armor, St. Albans, Vermont
2. May 1998 - May 2000, Tank Platoon Leader, Company C, 1st Battalion, 172nd Armor, Morrisville, Vermont
1. August 1997 - May 1998, Platoon Leader, Detachment 1, 42nd Military Police Company, Berlin, Vermont

Effective dates of promotion

Knight's effective dates of promotion are: #

Second lieutenant Second lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces, comparable to NATO OF-1 rank. Australia The rank of second lieutenant existed in the military forces of the Australian colonies and Australian Army until ...

, August 24, 1997 #

First lieutenant First lieutenant is a commissioned officer military rank in many armed forces; in some forces, it is an appointment. The rank of lieutenant has different meanings in different military formations, but in most forces it is sub-divided into a s ...

, November 30, 1999 #

Captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, e ...

, February 7, 2002 #

Major Major (commandant in certain jurisdictions) is a military rank of commissioned officer status, with corresponding ranks existing in many military forces throughout the world. When used unhyphenated and in conjunction with no other indicators ...

, August 28, 2007 #

Lieutenant colonel Lieutenant colonel ( , ) is a rank of commissioned officers in the armies, most marine forces and some air forces of the world, above a major and below a colonel. Several police forces in the United States use the rank of lieutenant colone ...

, Apr 6, 2012 #

Colonel Colonel (abbreviated as Col., Col or COL) is a senior military officer rank used in many countries. It is also used in some police forces and paramilitary organizations. In the 17th, 18th and 19th centuries, a colonel was typically in charge of ...

, May 1, 2017 #

Brigadier general Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed ...

(Vermont), March 8, 2019 #

, July 30, 2020 #

Major general Major general (abbreviated MG, maj. gen. and similar) is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. The disappearance of the "sergeant" in the title explains the apparent confusion of a ...

(Vermont), 30 July 2020 #

, 30 November 2022

Awards

Knight's awards include: *

* Meritorious Service Medal (with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters) * Army Commendation Medal (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters) * Air Force Commendation Medal * Army Achievement Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster) *Coast Guard Achievement Medal * Coast Guard Commandant's Letter of Commendation Ribbon *

Navy Unit Commendation The Navy Unit Commendation (NUC) is a United States Navy unit award that was established by order of the Secretary of the Navy James Forrestal on 18 December 1944. History Navy and U.S. Marine Corps commands may recommend any Navy or Marine Co ...

Coast Guard Good Conduct Medal The Good Conduct Medal is one of the oldest military awards of the United States Armed Forces. The U.S. Navy's variant of the Good Conduct Medal was established in 1869, the Marine Corps version in 1896, the Coast Guard version in 1923, the Army ...

Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal A Reserve Good Conduct Medal refers to any one of the five military conduct awards, four of which are currently issued and one of which was previously issued, by the United States Armed Forces to members of the Reserve and National Guard. The pri ...

* National Defense Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Service Star) *

(with 2 Campaign Stars) * Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Silver Hourglass and "M" device) *

Army Service Ribbon The Army Service Ribbon (ASR) is a military award of the United States Army that was established by the Secretary of the Army on 10 April 1981 as announced in Department of the Army General Order 15, dated 10 October 1990. History Effective 1 Au ...

*Army

Overseas Service Ribbon An Overseas Service Ribbon is a service military award of the United States military which recognizes those service members who have performed military tours outside the borders of the United States of America. There are different versions of the ...

*Basic Recruiting and Retention Badge * German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency (Gold)

Family

Knight has been married to the former Tracy Rooney since 1994. They have four children and reside in Huntington.

Photos

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Knight, Gregory C. 1962 births Living people People from Fairfax, Virginia Johnson State College alumni Post University alumni Naval War College alumni United States Army Command and General Staff College alumni United States Army personnel of the Iraq War People from Huntington, Vermont Vermont National Guard personnel