Command Sergeant Major LaMarquis Knowles entered the United States Army in September 1983. After completing Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training, he attended and graduated Airborne School at Fort Benning, Georgia.

Command Sergeant Major Knowles has served in the following organizations and duty positions: 503d Maintenance Company Command, Fort Bragg, North Carolina; after reclassifying to 11B he served from October 1987 – October 1990 in the 4/8th Infantry, Mannheim, Germany as a Rifle/Weapons Team Leader then Squad Leader; December 1990-June 1993 he was at the Joint Readiness Training Center, Fort Chaffee, Arkansas as an Observer/Controller; from August 1993 – November 1997 he was assigned to 2d Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina as Rifle Squad Leader, Rifle Platoon Sergeant, and Battalion S-3 Air; April 1997 – August 1997 Saudi Arabia, Operations NCO; November 1997 – November 1999, 4th Ranger Training Battalion, Fort Benning, Georgia as a Ranger Instructor and OPFOR Platoon Sergeant; December 1999 – May 2001 3d Battalion, 505 PIR, 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina as a Scout Platoon Sergeant; May 2001- October 2003, 2d Battalion, 505 PIR, 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina as a Bravo Company First Sergeant - during that time he deployed to OEF Afghanistan, January – August 2003; October 2003 – August 2004, HHC 3d Brigade, 82d Airborne, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, First Sergeant; August 2004 – May 2005 he attended Sergeants Major Academy, he then returned to 2d Battalion, 505 PIR, 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina where he served as Battalion Operations Sergeant Major; November 2006 – April 2008, 2d Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, he served as the Battalion Command Sergeant Major (OIF Iraq, January 2007-March 2008); April 2009 – present 1st Brigade, 82d Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Command Sergeant Major - during this period he deployed as Brigade Combat Team Command Sergeant Major, (OIF Iraq, August 2008 – August 2009).

Command Sergeant Major Knowles has attended all levels of the Noncommissioned Officers Education System, culminating with the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy Class 55. He is a graduate of the Master Fitness Trainer School, Battle Staff Course, Jungle Warfare School, Pathfinder Course, Jumpmaster Course, Ranger Course, as well as numerous other schools. He earned an associate’s degree in General Studies from Central Texas College.

CSM Knowles is a member of the Sergeant Morales Club. His awards and decorations include the Bronze Star Medal (one oak leaf cluster), the Meritorious Service Medal (two oak leaf clusters), a Ranger Tab, a Combat Infantryman Badge, a Master Parachutist Badge, and a Pathfinder Badge.