“Since 2007 I’ve been afforded a number of opportunities to serve around the world, completing a total of 10 deployments. I will always cherish the time I spent in Iraq and Afghanistan, and I’m proud to be a member of Naval Special Warfare. To be a young naval officer, with incredible responsibilities while leading men/women during important operations, was an honor. I draw on those lessons every day. I cherish them. I miss them. They were hard. I was away from my kids. I lost friends. I think about this every single day and carry it with me. Those years were formative, and when I think about the man I was then compared to now, it’s a remarkable difference. In addition to being an MPP student at @princetonSPIA, I’m also a father of four. My kids are 7, 5, 2, and 3 months. Being a father and husband gives me perspective. Those roles are part of me now. I’m a different person because of them. They also make me the leader I am in the military and my community. I came to @princeton because of its reputation. This School really is the hallmark for those who want to serve our nation. The size of my program is small, providing me with this intimate setting where I can interact with some highly talented people who are different than me. After graduation, I’ll work at the Pentagon and then I’ll be a commanding officer of one of our teams in Virginia Beach, where I lived before coming to N.J. These experiences will help to diversify my understanding of how the executive and strategic sides of the military work, so that when I go back to command, I’ll be a better, more well-rounded leader. One thing to remember, though: Our roles in life don’t define us. Never settle on what you have achieved. Being a student doesn’t define you. Being some executive or commander in the military isn’t what defines me. They are all hats I’ve worn, and I’ve learned from them, but it’s not what makes me the man I am. If you can keep this mentality, it’ll keep you humble and hungry and innovative. And it’ll probably make you a better teammate, too.” - Billy Knips MPP ’21. #PolicyProfile is an @Instagram series featuring our community. Want to be featured? Comment/DM us.