Master Sgt. Jim Knight. (By Ed Honda-Herald/Review)
Posted on 10/08/2006 11:49:42 AM PDT by SandRat
FORT HUACHUCA — Master Sgt. Jim Knight said he owes the Army more of his time.
So, three months ago, the 58-year-old re-enlisted — 21 years after he retired. “I can’t let somebody else fight my war. Terrorism is every American’s battle,” Knight said.
The Vietnam War veteran enlisted in 1965 right out of high school. He retired in 1985.
Now, Knight didn’t just get his retirement pay and do nothing. He was gainfully employed, using some of his military training. He also got to do some things he wanted to do.
The GI enjoys an inside joke or two about his Special Forces training — “I could have started a Murder Inc. type business” — but his infectious laugh gave no credence that he took that idea seriously.
One of the many badges he is authorized to wear is that of a Diver Second Class. He was trained as a diver by the Navy. Knight also wears other badges from the Army including Airborne, Combat Infantryman and Drill Instructor.
The GI smiled again and laughed.
“I think I owe everything from 1,500 feet (below sea level) to 2,500 feet up (in the air),” he said.
Life after the Army
After hanging his uniform up the first time, Knight became a commercial diver and worked in that job for about 18 months.
He then used his Army training to provide expertise on high-rise fire and security.
But after spending some time in a couple of minor earthquakes in California, as 40-story buildings swayed back and forth, he said he wanted a job that was more based on the ground.
A graduate of a high school in Daytona, Fla., Knight said he always had a desire to drive.
Calling himself a “big-time NASCAR fan,” Knight knew he was not going to race around a track, so he started a trucking company.
The driving aspect of those years in mufti included being a tour bus operator, a sales manager for a Harley Davidson business and creating a vehicle refining company, which some people call detailing.
It may seem he was flitting from job to job. He disagrees.
Each job he did was done with the same dedication while he wore the Army uniform for 20 years.
Each was a new experience, something to add to his portfolio.
Unlike others who want to do something but don’t and make excuses, Knight said he went after the things he wanted to try. He could say he had been there and done that. He could check the experience off his wish list.
But something still nagged him.
Path back to the military
Leaving the Army after 20 years left him with an emptiness in mission accomplishment.
His waistline did not expand. He was physically fit, and he knew the Army had to have a program for which he qualified.
And the senior noncommissioned officer knew how to play the game.
Knight’s goal was to again wear the Army uniform as an active-duty soldier, not put it on as a retiree to attend special events.
He also knew the Army would look at him closely to see if even after 20 years out of uniform he will give the service what it needs, a role model for younger soldiers and one who once more could live by the stringent rules everyone who wears Army green is expected to do.
“What it is about is the Army. You have to have a reality check. You can’t let your ego override the Army’s needs,” Knight said.
He knew it would be a bureaucratic process.
The Army’s program in bringing in former soldiers includes those who are members of the service’s Individual Ready Reserves.
The Army has a limited number of slots for older soldiers, and Knight knew it was going to difficult competition.
He admits he was somewhat impatience. Knight faced one deadline: He had to be back in uniform before he turned 60.
Then he heard it would help if he had letter from a general officer.
“My problem is all the generals I knew were dead,” Knight said.
Like any well-trained NCOs, he analyzed how to approach the problem.
Having been an intelligence soldier in the Special Forces, it was logical to see if he could obtain assistance from people at the Intelligence Center on Fort Huachuca.
As any NCOs knows, you start out with the senior non-com, in this case Command Sgt. Maj. Franklin Saunders, the center’s top NCO.
Knight called Saunders. He introduced himself as retired Master Sgt. Knight and said he would like to come out from San Diego to see if he could speed up his request to return to uniform.
“I wanted him to see what he was getting,” Knight said.
After meeting with Saunders, he met with the Intelligence Center’s chief of staff, Col. Timothy Quinn.
“I gave him the best salute I’ve ever given,” Knight said.
The next person Knight met was Maj. Gen. Barbara Fast, commander of the center and the fort. By time he left the command suite, Knight had a letter signed by Fast.
“Seven days later I was at Fort Jackson (S.C.),” he said.
In the Army again
It would be a fast-paced two weeks of training for him, 24 Individual Ready Reservists and 180 sailors who were transferring to the Army.
“When I gave my first command it was like I never left. It’s something you never forget,” said Knight, whose old drill sergeant persona came into play as he was made the leader of the group.
Unlike the younger recruits who have air conditioned barracks, Knight and the others were in much older buildings that were hot. The only cooling came from fans.
“We were sleeping in an open bay,” he said.
With his training completed, he headed for Fort Huachuca, where he is assigned to the Intelligence Center’s operations section.
One of his jobs is to refine the Enhanced Skill Trainer, a device that uses computers, lasers and other equipment to help soldiers learn how to fire in a combat situation.
Knight said today’s Army is better organized to help soldiers learn, especially regarding weapons discipline. Soldiers can now be instructed on when to shoot or not in different scenarios, without expending live ammunition.
As a parent of twin boys, both high school seniors who have already gone through Army basic training and will go on to advanced individual training after graduation next year, Knight said he knows his sons — Hunter and Kyle — will get the best training the Army has every provided.
Giving back
As for his second wife, Pam, whom he married a year ago and who is preparing to retire from Merrill Lynch next year, Knight said she was behind his decision to return to the Army.
“I couldn’t have asked for better support from her and my sons,” he said.
Unlike many of today’s soldiers, Knight has no college degree.
He laughed and said the closest he can come to one is if a university gives a degree in post hole digging, which he did a lot. But he said he does have a doctorate in people and leadership.
Knight will never be promoted to sergeant major because the rules do not allow it. But he will get extra points when he retires for the second time. He no longer receives retirement pay, but he gets full pay and allowances for his rank.
Looking at his decision, Knight said it was not difficult.
“For 20 years the Army gave to me. This time I want to give back to the Army,” he said.
During his time as a retiree, Knight said he would see busloads of Marines leaving Camp Pendleton in California and heading to Iraq. He knows soldiers, sailors and airmen who were doing the same thing.
“They’re awesome and phenomenal,” Knight said of today’s service members.
And, yes, Knight said he would go to Iraq.
As for remaining in uniform, he has to apply each year to be allowed to continue on active duty.
“I’m hoping for seven years, but I’ll take five,” he said, adding he really would like to serve 10 more years.
Wearing Army green has energized him.
“I didn’t want to be diagnosed with terminal old age,” Knight said with a hearty laugh.
HERALD/REVIEW senior reporter Bill Hess can be reached at 515-4615 or by e-mail at bill.hess@svherald.com.
WOW!
Time for me to reapply to return to duty --- AGAIN!
"You roll your eyes as a baby cries. He gets a letter with pictures of his new child, and wonders if they'll ever meet..."
it's become awful hard to swallow with this giant lump in my throat... i just got back from my 8yr old, and 6yr old's flag football games about 15 minutes ago... i am truly a blessed man...
Good for Jim. At seventy years, I guess I'm a little too long in the tooth for this. I retired from the AF in 1975 and doubt that I would qualify.
Wow. The Army is really getting some interesting stories and people joining. I am in the Navy and don't believe that this would be allowed. I could be wrong, but I have not heard of anyone joining again after retirement. Interesting concept though. Our age limit is still 35 as well. I guess eventually we might get it increased perhaps.
The service regulations do allow for the return of a retired member to active duty in the grade/rank that they retired. There is no PT test, no FITREPs, no promotion just service for additional years to the second retirement. There are some specific hoops to be crossed that vary by service but some retirees have returned in their 70s.
I would add that he has a Doctorate in living life to the fullest.
I retired last year at age 40. I now hear that the Army is taking in new recruits as advanced as age 42. That made me feel soooo much better.
Thank you for honoring these men, SandRat.
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