A native of Norfolk, Virginia, Rear Admiral Terry McKnight, USN (RET) graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in May 1978 and completed his master's degree in International Relations at Salve Regina University in May 1998. Moreover, he graduated from the U.S. Army War College in 1994 and also attended the National Security Seminar at Syracuse University in 2001.

 

He commanded USS Whidbey Island (LSD 41) from January 1995 until November 1996 and USS Kearsarge (LHD 3) from July 2002 until December 2003 that served as the command ship for Task Force Tarawa during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

 

Rear Admiral McKnight also served as the 85th commandant of Naval District Washington, the oldest continuously operated Navy installation in the nation and the deputy commander, Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region.

 

He assumed duties as Commander, Expeditionary Strike Group 2, in September 2007 and served as the first Commander of Task Force 151 for counter-piracy operations in January 2009.

 

Personal decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal and Navy Meritorious Service Medal.

 

In 2012, he authored his first book, Pirate Alley: Commanding Task Force 151 off Somalia and was named Naval Proceedings “Notable Naval Book” of 2012.

 

Additionally, he has written several articles on maritime security that have appeared in a variety of international and domestic newspapers and magazines. He continues to lecture extensively on the issues of global maritime piracy.

 

On his retirement from the Navy in 2009, he joined CAES, a defense firm, and held the position as Vice President, Customer Relations until 2025.

 

He serves on the Virginia Military Institute Board of Visitors and State of Virginia’s Defense Advisory Board.