Family, friends, and colleagues celebrated Logistics Specialist James McKnight Jr.’s 42 years of government service during his retirement and award ceremony at Fort Belvoir, Virginia, on April 29.
For McKnight, the ceremony capped a dynamic career that began when he enlisted with the United States Air Force (USAF) in 1981 and concluded with the Army’s Product Manager Force Protection Systems (PM FPS).
“To my wife and to my family, thank you for understanding my commitment to my country and for being there when I wasn’t,” McKnight said. “Thank you all for coming to support my retirement, and here’s to new beginnings.”
PM FPS Product Manager Lt. Col. Matthew T. Einhorn praised McKnight for keeping personnel and installations safe through his role at PM FPS.
“James spent many years making sure that installations across the country, and eventually around the world, are secure and that people entering them are properly vetted,” Einhorn said. “Now, he can spend time fishing, gardening, detailing cars, and listening to jazz music.”
During the ceremony, McKnight received the Army Civilian Service Achievement Medal, a Program Executive Office – Intelligence, Electronic Warfare & Sensors Certificate of Appreciation, and the Army’s Retirement Certificate and Pin, among others.
After retiring from the USAF in 2005, McKnight worked as a contractor and earned a degree in Business Administration and Management while embarking on a General Service (GS) career as a Logistics Management Specialist for the US Army, Joint Project Manager, Chemical Biological Defense (JPEO CBD), where he remained until September 2015.
In September 2013, McKnight deployed to Bagram, Afghanistan. Serving as the Theater Lead for JPEO CBD, he provided oversight to over 200 contractors in support of Product Manager Force Protection Systems (PM FPS) capabilities that were fielded and sustained in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF).
In 2014-15, McKnight transitioned to PM FPS as a Supervisory Logistics Management Specialist working in the Automated Installation Entry (AIE) program. AIE is an integrated system for installation access control, enabling enhanced situational awareness, sharing of information, and optimization of resources.
By 2022, McKnight’s hard work had earned him the role of Deputy Assistant Product Manager (APM), Supervisory Logistics Management Specialist and Product Support Management (PSM) for AIE.
McKnight’s management approach was appreciated by colleagues like AIE Program Analyst Gregory Fairley.
“You always treated us with respect as team members,” Fairley said. “You always asked for our opinions and listened to us. Thank you.”
Throughout his career the government recognized McKnight for his dedication to the country.
For his military service, McKnight received the Air Force Commendation Medal, the Air Force Achievement Medal, the Army Conduct Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Southwest Asia Service Medal with Bronze Stars, and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.
McKnight’s civilian awards include the Global War on Terrorism Medal, the Army Commander’s Award for Civilian Service, and the Army Civilian Service Achievement Medal.
Many of McKnight’s achievements would not have been possible without his family.
PM FPS Product Support Manager, Dean Marshall, acknowledged McKnight’s wife, Catherine, for her years of support.
“Thank you for providing your husband to us and thank you and to your husband for his service to our nation,” Marshall said.
Social Sharing