14th Military Police Brigade welcomes new commander

By Mrs. Melissa Buckley (Leonard Wood)May 21, 2015

14th Military Police Brigade welcomes new commander
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

FORT LEONARD WOOD, Mo. (May 21, 2015) -- The 14th Military Police Brigade is now under the command of Col. Niave Knell, following an assumption-of- command ceremony Tuesday on Gammon Field.

Brig. Gen. Mark Spindler, Military Police Corps Regiment chief and U.S. Army Military Police School commandant, officiated over the ceremony.

Lt. Col. David McNeill, 795th Military Police Battalion commander, served as interim brigade commander for about a month.

"(Lt. Col. David McNeill) stepped up to the plate without any hesitation," Spindler said. "There was no loss in momentum and he did the job the way it needed to be done. Thank you for handing the brigade over strong."

Spindler said Knell arrives at Fort Leonard Wood with a great reputation, great resume and a phenomenal record of performance.

"You can see by her biography that she has had extensive operational experience both in garrison and in combat," Spindler said of the new brigade commander.

Knell came to Fort Leonard Wood from the Pentagon as the chief of operations, Army Operations Center, Headquarters Department of the Army G-3/5/7.

"I am humbled and honored to command this great brigade," Knell said.

She said the Soldiers on Gammon field looked great, and she felt privileged to join the team.

"Our purpose and direction is to train the Military Police Regiment. Let's put our efforts and courage into continuing to do that with distinction," Knell said.

Knell, a Milford, Massachusetts, native, was commissioned in 1992 at the United States Military Academy, West Point, New York, where she also received a Bachelor of Science degree in Comparative Politics.

Her military schooling includes the Military Police Officer Basic Course, Military Police Officer Advance Course, United States Army Command and General Staff College, United States Army School of Advanced Military Studies and National War College.

In addition to her bachelor's degree, her civilian education includes a Master of Science degree in Business and Organizational Security Management from Webster University, a Master of Advanced Military Studies degree from the United States Army Command and General Staff College and a Master of Science in National Security Strategy from National War College.

Knell's duty assignments include commander, 22nd Military Police Battalion (CID), Baghdad, Iraq, and Fort Lewis, Washington; deputy brigade commander, 42nd Military Police Brigade, Bagram, Afghanistan, and Fort Lewis, Washington; and chief of operations, Army Operations Center, Pentagon.

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