REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- An Army Contracting Command civilian is the Reserve Officers Association's CW4 Michael J. Novosel Outstanding Warrant Officer of the Year for 2013.
Michael D. Knight, a security specialist on the ACC headquarters staff, finished ahead of five other nominees, representing the Army Reserve, U.S. Navy, and Army National Guard, to win the honor. He is a chief warrant officer three in the U.S. Army Reserve.
"I was surprised and humbled to win. It was nice to be recognized" said Knight. "But, I realize that the award is really recognition of the hard work and support of the Soldiers who worked for me."
The competition was held at ROA's annual convention in Long Beach, California. He said the board process took about 30 minutes but it seemed like an hour. The questions asked by the board were open-ended questions such as what's the hardest leadership challenge that you have faced, said Knight.
At the time of his nomination, Knight was deployed to Camp Sabalu-Harrison, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan, as an all-source intelligence analyst with the 338th Military Intelligence Battalion. He served as the senior intelligence analyst for the fusion analysis cell.
After returning from his deployment he returned to his civilian position at ACC and his military assignment with the U.S. Pacific Command Army Reserve Element in Denver.
Knight was also recognized for his participation in the Kiwanis, coaching youth baseball and basketball in the Huntsville, Alabama, City Park System and helping to lead a Boy Scouts of America troop.
The Novosel Award was established in 1998 to annually recognize the achievements and dedicated service of warrant officer members of the ROA. To be considered, nominees must be warrant officers in the grades of warrant officer, chief warrant officer 2, or chief warrant officer 3 at the time of the national convention. The nominee's military career, along with their community and professional activities are also part of the award considerations. The competition is available to warrant officers from the U.S. Army, U.S. Marine Corps, U.S. Navy and U.S. Coast Guard. The U.S. Air Force no longer has warrant officers.
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