A native of Flower Mound, Texas, Commander Knudson received a congressional nomination to attend the United States Naval Academy and earned his Bachelor of Science in chemistry in 2009. His capstone research focus was on linear crystallization of polymers for a ballistic application. He then received a Health Professions Collegiate Program scholarship to attend the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio for dental school. He graduated in 2013 with distinction in dental education. He was commissioned in 2014 and was selected to the General Practice Residency program at Naval Medical Center San Diego which he graduated from in 2015. In 2017 he was selected for the Comprehensive Dentistry Residency program at the Air Force Postgraduate Dental School at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio Texas. He earned a Masters in Oral Biology from the Uniformed Services University of Health Science with his thesis titled, “Devising a manpower model from US Air Force Recruits.” He graduated from the residency in 2020 and achieved board certification by the American Board of General Dentistry in 2022.
CDR Knudson’s assignments include: Dental Officer, Marine Corps Recruiting Depot, Parris Island, SC. Dental Officer, CVN 69 USS Dwight D. Eisenhower. Division Officer, Comprehensive Dentistry, Sewell’s Point Dental Clinic, Norfolk, VA. Department Head, Branch Health Clinic Northwest and Naval Consolidated Brig, Chesapeake, VA. Department head, General Dentistry, Naval Air Station Lemoore, CA. Chief Dental Officer and Director for Dental Services, Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command Annapolis, MD.
He currently serves as the Executive Officer of 1st Dental Battalion, Camp Pendleton, CA in support of I Marine Expeditionary Force.
CDR Knudson’s awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and various unit/campaign awards. His professional associations include the American Dental Association and the Delta Sigma Delta Dental Fraternity.