Norwitz served as a Military policeman in the United States Army, being directly commissioned following his graduation from Eastern Kentucky University.[2][13]
His duties in the army included guarding nuclear weapons. Norwitz spent three years in the Army.
In 1985 he joined the Navy Criminal Investigative Service, where his speciality was counter-intelligence and counter-terrorism.[2][13]
In 1994 Norwitz received the Meritorious Civilian Service Medal for actions the Navy felt had to be kept secret.[2][13]
According to the Hartford CourantSecretary of the NavyJohn Dalton personally presented the award to Norwitz, saying: "Today's ceremony is an outstanding example of how one agent's innovative approach to a problem, coupled with his experience and dedication to his profession and his country, assisted the Navy in maintaining a technological edge, while at the same time providing an enormous monetary savings to the government."
The Hartford Courant reported it was unusual for NCIS agents to be personally decorated by the Secretary to the navy, and that Norwitz's award was supplemented by a very unusual cash payment.[13]
Norwitz received a second Meritorious Civilian Service Medal in 1998 for activities during Operation Desert Fox.[2]
Norwitz was selected as the 2006 distinguished alumnus by the Military Science and Leadership Department of the College of Business and Technology at Eastern Kentucky University.
After graduating with a Master in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College Norwitz was asked to be a professor at that institution.[2]
He was appointed John Nicholas Brown Chair of Counterterrorism.[5]
Norwitz served as both an active NCIS agent and a Professor until his retirement from government service in 2009.
Civilian career
After Norwitz retired from government service he served as National Security Advisor from 2010-2013 with Sark Securities.
Today, Norwitz provides background investigation expertise for sensitive national security clients.[citation needed]
^"Terrorism Issues 2 days 3 instructors"(PDF). University of Rhode Island Center for Excellence for Explosive Detection, Mitigation and Response. Archived(PDF) from the original on 2017-06-13. He received the 21st annual Defense Department Counterintelligence Award for education excellence in 2008. In February 2009, Mr. Norwitz spoke at the United Nations on global water security. Most recently, Mr. Norwitz was a Senior Instructor with the Counterterrorism Division at Federal Law Enforcement Training Center in Brunswick, Georgia.
Andrew T. H. Tan (2009). "A Review of: "Jeffrey H. Norwitz, ed., Armed Groups: Studies in National Security, Counterterrorism and Counterinsurgency."". Terrorism and Political Violence. 21 (2). Taylor and Francis Online: 354–356. doi:10.1080/09546550902765862.