By Zach Spadt
Staff Writer 

Worland National Guard recruiter receives Army Achievement Medal

 

December 19, 2015

Zach Spadt

Wyoming National Guard Staff Sgt. Brant Knight holds his Army Achievement Medal and citation. Brant earned the medal for being one of the top recruiters in the country.

WORLAND - "It's not about fighting the enemy. We're brothers and sisters - and we rely on each other," said Wyoming National Guard Staff Sgt. Brant Knight.

Knight, of Worland, serves as a recruiter for the National Guard. He recently received the Army Achievement Medal for his service as a recruiter. According to the medal citation, "Knight dominates the recruiting market and statistically is one of the top recruiters in the nation."


High school students, and school administrators throughout the Big Horn Basin know Knight as the approachable military recruiter who is there to answer questions. Knight said he doesn't pressure students into joining the military.

"The National Guard is going to sell itself in my mind," Knight said.

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Knight said he signed the dotted line in June, 2001 - just a few months before the Sept. 11 attacks.

He said he vividly remembers watching the day's events unfold, watching the events unfold at the Worland High School library, where he served as a teacher's aide. Knight knew that he could be called to serve "any day."


Knight would eventually serve two tours in the Middle East. During 2004, his "boots were on the ground" for 14 months in Baghdad, Iraq, and then again during 2009 in Kuwait, near the Iraq border.

Knight said he joined the National Guard out of pride. His father is a business owner who told Knight that he was definitely going to go to college - there was no way around it. But, Knight said, he wasn't about to let his dad spend a dime on his education, so he joined the National Guard to pay for school.

The National Guard covers college tuition for its members, Knight said.


After serving a few years, however, Knight said he realized that it wasn't college that was keeping him in the National Guard - it is his pride in serving his country.

"I never thought I'd be in the military this long," Knight said.

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Knight recalled seeing members of the military when he was in high school. He was intrigued seeing former National Guard member Jamey Pfeiffer in uniform. Pfeiffer spoke highly of Knight.

"Military wise, he's a great success. He's one of the best recruiters I've seen in my life," Pfeiffer said.


A National Guard file proposing Knight receive the Army Achievement Medal reads, "Knight's professionalism and outstanding recruiting performance has been evidenced by capturing 67 percent of the Department of Defense market share in his assigned market area. The market share goal is 40 percent, and most recruiters struggle to reach this level. A market share of 67 percent is truly an outstanding accomplishment and reflects his efficiency and market penetration. Staff Sgt. Knight developed a high level of proficiency within an extremely complex and demanding recruiting environment. His attention to detail and proactive attitude has facilitated his ability to work independently with a high level of excellence."


In 2012, after completing several trainings, including air assault school, Knight became the Wyoming National Guard recruiter for the Big Horn Basin.

"I hit the ground running," Knight said. Knight has met his recruiting goals with one exception, and in that case he only "needed another week."

The past two years, he has hit his goal of 13 recruits. Recruiting soldiers in the Big Horn Basin is not an easy task, but Knight has accomplished it.

His approach to recruiting is unique: Knight said he simply wants to be present to answer potential soldiers' questions. If people want to join the military, Knight said, they'll do so. He's just simply there to answer questions.

Knight spends time in the Big Horn Basin making his presence known at high schools. Developing relationships with students, Knight teaches students the same physical training courses that the Army teaches its soldiers.

There's no pressure in joining the guard, Knight said.

"I like to be around students while I'm in uniform. They know me as Staff Sgt. Knight, the National Guard recruiter," Knight said.

And when people choose to sign on the dotted line - and make the transition from citizen to soldier - Knight said they immediately become his brothers and sisters.

Knight said, "When they enlist, they're my soldiers. I get them whatever they need."

 
 

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