Brigadier General Niave F. Knell is from Milford, Massachusetts. She 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 Advanced 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.
BG Knell’s previous duty assignments include Platoon Leader, 92d Military Police Company, Darmstadt, Germany; Battalion S1, 709th Military Police Battalion, Hanau, Germany; Assistant Operations Officer, 709th Military Police Battalion, Tuzla, Bosnia; Battalion S4, 519th Military Police Battalion, Fort Polk, Louisiana; Commander, 204th Military Police Company, Fort Polk, Louisiana; Provost Marshal Operations Officer, Fort Polk, Louisiana; Senior Observer/ Controller, 3rd Battalion, 5th Brigade, 78th Division (TS), Fort Meade, Maryland; Assistant Operations/IHP Police Training Officer, 42d Military Police Brigade, Baghdad, Iraq; Brigade S3, 42d Military Police Brigade, Fort Lewis, Washington; Plans Officer, 3rd Army (ARCENT), Ft McPherson, Atlanta; Commander, 22d Military Police Battalion (CID), Baghdad, Iraq and Fort Lewis, Washington; Deputy Brigade Commander, 42d Military Police Brigade, Bagram, Afghanistan and Fort Lewis, Washington; Chief of Operations, Army Operations Center, Pentagon; Commander, 14th Military Police Brigade; and Chief of Staff, U.S. Army North.
Her awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Superior and Meritorious Unit Awards, Public Health Service Outstanding Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraq and Afghanistan Campaign Medals, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, NATO Medal, Air Assault Badge, Parachutist Badge, Army Staff Identification Badge, and the German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge-Gold.