First Sergeant Kraig Knowles was born in Lithia Springs, Georgia in 1982. During High School he enlisted into the Marine Corps Delayed Entry Program in January, 2000. Upon graduation from High School, he attended Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina on July 24th, 2000 and graduated from Charlie Company, First Recruit Training Battalion as a Private First Class. After graduating from recruit training he was assigned to Marine Combat Training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina.
Upon Completion of Marine Combat Training, he attended Aviation Logistics Tactical Information System Specialist School in Athens, Georgia. While attending the Aviation Logistics Tactical Information System Specialist School he was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. Upon the graduation from the Aviation Logistics Tactical Information System Specialist School he was assigned the Military Occupational Specialty of 6694, Aviation Logistics Tactical Information System Specialist.
First Sergeant Knowles reported to MAG 42, MALS 42, Marietta, Georgia for duty where he served as an Information Technology technician. He was promoted to the rank of Corporal on March 1st, 2002 and was subsequently assigned as a Platoon Sergeant. In January 2003, First Sergeant Knowles was mobilized to support Operation Enduring Freedom with MALS 42 to support MALS 49, Camp Pendleton, California. While serving with MALS 49, First Sergeant Knowles was then again assigned as the Platoon Sergeant for Aviation Information System Department (AISD). Upon returning from activation in 2003, First Sergeant Knowles remained the Platoon Sergeant for AISD.
First Sergeant Knowles was promoted to Sergeant on June 1st, 2004. Upon his promotion to Sergeant, he was then mobilized for a second time in June 2005 with VMFA 142 to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II as the S-6 Chief. Upon returning from activation in 2005, First Sergeant Knowles returned to MALS 42 where he assumed the billet as AISD Chief. While serving as the AISD Chief, First Sergeant Knowles was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant on November 1st, 2006. During, his tour with AISD, he enrolled in an undergraduate program at Mercer University to pursue a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Business Administration.
In November 2008, First Sergeant Knowles was attached to the MOBCOM IMA Detachment as Peace Time Wartime Support Group as the Staff Support. During this time, the Peace Time Wartime Support Group transitioned to the Reserve Support Program. On November 1st, 2011, First Sergeant Knowles was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant.
In May 2012, First Sergeant Knowles graduated from Mercer University earning his Bachelor Arts Degree in Business Administration. In December 2012, First Sergeant Knowles transferred from Reserve Support Program to Environmental Services Division (ESD), Detachment C at Charlotte, North Carolina as the Operations Chief. First Sergeant Knowles served as the Operations Chief for ESD Det C., for a year and a half and was subsequently promoted to his current rank of First Sergeant. After receiving his promotion to First Sergeant, he was reassigned to Combat Logistic Regiment (CLR) 45, Headquarters and Support Company. After a successful tour with CLR 45, H&S Company, First Sergeant Knowles was reassigned to Kilo Battery, 2nd Battalion, 14th Marines, 4th Marine Division in May 2018, where he is currently serving as Battery First Sergeant.
First Sergeant Knowles is the owner of a Heating and Air company in Villa Rica, Georgia.
First Sergeant Knowles’s personal awards include the Navy/Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Navy Unit Commendation Medal, Selected Marine Corp Reserve Medal, National Defense Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with hour glass, M Device and Roman numeral II.