Former WHHS grad Veronica Knapp earns a major promotion as her Army career soars
Having no direction following her graduation from West Holmes High School in 1999, Veronica (Martin) Knapp found her calling in the Army. Her career has blossomed ever since joining the Army, and her recent appointment to command sergeant major has made her the first female to earn that designation.
As Veronica (Martin) Knapp grinded through her senior year at West Holmes High School in 1999, she didn’t have any set plans or giant dreams. All things considered, it appears as though her life choices after graduation have led to some fairly lofty standards.
Making Army history, Knapp was recently promoted to serve as command sergeant major in Fort Bragg, North Carolina. She is the first woman and the first member of the 16th Military Police Brigade to hold this position.
Knapp, a native of Big Prairie, enlisted in the U.S. Army in 2000 as a military police soldier. She attended training at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and her career trajectory hasn’t stopped climbing since.
“I didn’t really have any direction after high school,” Knapp said. “I was working but making just over minimum wage. I didn’t want college debt, and I didn’t see any future in my current employment. In my heart I knew I needed something different, something challenging. I decided to go see an Army recruiter in hopes to better shape my future. I signed up for a two-year contract, just long enough to see if I liked it. I never thought it would turn into a 19-year career.”
Nineteen years and counting for Knapp.
With no real-life goals in mind, Knapp said her decision to enlist in the Army has made her a better person, noting that the experiences in the military are unique and like no other.
“You must be brave and selfless,” Knapp said. “I have had the most rewarding opportunities as a drill sergeant, jump master, military police officer, and direct and organizational level leader. Being able to retire at 40 is exciting to think about. You sacrifice much to enjoy retired life 25 years early.”
Knapp’s previous assignments include Fort Leavenworth, Kansas; Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; Fort Bragg, North Carolina; Fort Bliss, Texas; and Camp Humphrey's, Korea. She has deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan and served two consecutive tours in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
CSM Knapp has served in every leadership position from team leader to command sergeant major. Special duty positions include senior drill sergeant, senior internment/resettlement NCO, Brigade S3 operations sergeant major, USARCF-K facility sergeant major and 40th Military Police Battalion (detention) command sergeant major.
Her awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, NATO-ISAF Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, Basic Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, Senior Parachutist Badge, Drill Sergeant Badge, German Armed Forces Badge for Military Proficiency, and the Polish Land Forces Parachute Badge.
Additionally she is a member of the Military Police Regimental Association and American Correctional Association.
To say she has excelled in the Army would be an understatement, yet she remains humble about her many accomplishments.
“I always did my best,” Knapp said. “I was fortunate to have great leaders and mentors to guide me along the way. I never expected to be a command sergeant major, let alone at the brigade level. I worked hard and always looked at promotion as something earned, not given.”
In garnering her sergeant commander rank, Knapp said the process is a drawn-out one that takes time because of the number of people involved.
A department of the Army level board is held every year and selects a projected number of soldiers (master/first sergeants) each year for sergeant major in their job specialty. Once the candidates are selected, they must wait about eight months and then complete a 10-month school process. From there they are promoted to sergeant major and compete for command sergeant major at the battalion level, a role that is responsible for 650 soldiers.
As a battalion command sergeant major, you compete for command sergeant major at the brigade level, a role in which the leader is responsible for 4,000 soldiers.
That was where Knapp found herself situated, and her promotion could well open the door for more females in her brigade to make the jump to that level and even higher. However, Knapp believes that whether male or female, the role of providing quality leadership is all that matters.
“As far as being the first female CSM, I don't believe this event to be different than any other leader before me,” Knapp said. “Although it may be unique for a woman CSM in the 16th MP BDE, it is not uncommon in the military as a whole. Col. Mary Maier was the very first female to command the brigade in 1995, which was largely significant, but that was 24 years ago. The Army has significantly developed since then and embraced opportunities for both women and men. Leadership doesn't come in skirts or slacks; it comes in the form of competence, character and commitment to the Army and those who make it run.
Every leader, regardless of gender or branch, does their best to fill the roles in which they are needed most in their organization, even if they are not traditional roles or in their skill set. I believe that my specific corrections and detention background will assist in the adaptation of the future fight as we focus on supporting large-scale combat operations and enabling combatant commanders' freedom of maneuver on the battlefield. Although I am extremely proud to be a first, my focus is on my job and my soldiers, not breaking barriers.”
Knapp is married to Cordell Knapp, and after more than 20 years of honorable and distinguished service in the United States Army serving the 16th Military Police Brigade, she plans to retire in 2021. Her promotion actually pushed her retirement back eight months.
Knapp said Army life can be hard on a family. Her family has moved four times in six years including one year in Texas, one year in Korea, 2 1/2 years in Kansas and now an obligation for that same length of stint in North Carolina.
“At the time I was selected for brigade command, I only had 18 years in the Army,” Knapp said. “I was not eligible for retirement so had no choice but to accept the position, but I would have accepted it anyway. It is announced a year out. Then you owe 2.5 years once you take command. This will take me to 21 years and nine months if I elect to retire after this position. The next step is a family decision, and we have not quite decided if I continue to serve or retire.”
Knapp’s accomplishments are incredible, but for her, simply serving her country in the manner the Army chooses is what is truly important.
Not too bad for a West Holmes graduate who didn’t have any type of game plan coming out of school.