Influential Woman · US Military, Firearms Training, Nonprofit

KiOwana E. Phillips

Human Resources Command G1/G4 Sergeant Major, US Army

Fort Knox, KY

8Years experience

2Awards received

Certifications · Degrees · Memberships

Degree Bachelor's in Criminal Justice from Columbia Southern University Degree Master's in Human Resources Management from Columbia Southern University Cert National Firearms Instructor Certification Cert Kentucky State Firearms Instructor Certification Cert North Carolina State Firearms Instructor Certification Member Sergeant Audie Murphy Club Member Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Incorporated

Her Story

About KiOwana

I have been in the Army since I was 17, joining while I was still in high school, and I just turned 40. I am a human resources sergeant major, the highest enlisted rank in the Army, and I have almost 24 years of service. During the day, Monday through Friday, I handle G1 functions at my current command here at Fort Knox, Kentucky, mentoring soldiers and managing human resources operations. In the evenings and weekends, I balance being a mom and wife with running my firearms training business, One Shot Firearms Academy, which I started over 6 years ago. I cover Kentucky and North Carolina, and we own our own outdoor 14-acre private range in North Carolina. I offer concealed carry training, women's firearms training, men's firearms training, and family firearms training for age-appropriate children, focusing on making the community safer and more knowledgeable about firearm storage and safety. I am also the vice president of the Mobius Syndrome Foundation, a nonprofit I have been involved with for over 20 years. My oldest son, Caleb, who is almost 20, has Mobius syndrome, which has been a driving force in my commitment to the organization. In addition to these roles, I have been running a travel business and a social media management business for 6 years. The discipline and organization that the Army has instilled in me have set me up for success in all areas of my life. I will be retiring from the Army this year and look forward to moving every single day like it's the weekend, and spending more time with my two boys and my husband, who is also an active-duty Sergeant Major.

Quick Facts

IndustryUS Military, Firearms Training, Nonprofit
Based inFort Knox, KY
Languages English
Specialty Human Resources Management, Firearms Training, Concealed Carry Training
- Firearm Safety Advocacy
- Nonprofit Leadership
Volunteers with Vice President of Mobius Syndrome Foundation, Sorority volunteer work

Her Interview

Ten minutes with KiOwana

01What do you attribute your success to?

I would say reaching the rank of Sergeant Major in the Army has been my most notable achievement because the discipline and organization the Army instilled in me have set me up for success in all other areas of my life. I joined the Army when I was 17, while I was still in high school, and I just turned 40, so I have been in the Army for almost 24 years. Being a sergeant major is the highest enlisted rank that we can achieve. That discipline has carried over into being a mom, running my firearms business, and my work with my oldest son, Khaleb, and the Mobius Syndrome Foundation. The Army has given me the structure and organization to manage all these different roles successfully.

02What’s the best career advice you’ve ever received?

No one can advocate for your business or your organization more than you can. Sometimes we don't like to brag on ourselves, but it's important to speak up about what we do. I love mentorship and giving back to women, letting them know that we are proof that it can be done. When women see someone else doing it or doing something completely different but still being resilient and pushing forward, that is just that little bit of motivation they needed to do whatever they've been wanting to do, whether it's being a stay-at-home mom, a CEO, or starting a small business. We are proof that these things are happening, and we're still human, so we're still going through our different challenges as well.

03What values are most important to you in your work and personal life?

Self-care is non-negotiable for me because I do so much. My husband and my two boys know that self-care is something I prioritize. I love long-distance running, massages, and gardening. I love plants and anything outdoors where it's just fresh air and sunshine. My grandmother passed down the green thumb to me, and my oldest plant is about 20 years old. I believe in discipline and organization, which the Army instilled in me, and these values have helped me succeed in all areas of my life. As I prepare to retire this year, I want to move every single day like it's the weekend, not worried about time, and spend more quality time with my boys and my husband.

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