Upon graduation, he reported to his first operational command for duty as an undesignated Seaman Apprentice onboard Commander 3rd Fleet Flag Ship USS CORONADO (AGF 11) in January 1994, homeported in San Diego, California. Completing Operations Specialist OJT, he was designated as an OS. During his tour, he advanced to OS2, earned his Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist and designated as an Air Directional Controller. In May 2001, he transferred to 6th Fleet Gaeta, Italy. Advancing to OS1 he served as Tactical Flag Command Center LPO, where he conducted Operation ENDURING FREEDOM and Operation IRAQI FREEDOM missions. In April 2004, he transferred to USS HALSEY (DDG 97) as a plankowner and Air Intercept Controller. He was selected to Chief Petty Officer, and served as OI Division LCPO. During his tour he earned the Commander Naval Surface Force, Navy and Marine Association Leadership Award, CY 2005. In May 2010, he transferred to USS SPRUANCE (DDG 111) as a plankowner and Interface Control Officer, where he was selected to Senior Chief Petty Officer and served as OI LCPO and Operations Department LCPO. In addition, he was hand selected to deploy with Destroyer Squadron TWO THREE (CDS 23), onboard USS NIMITZ (CVN 68) and four destroyer Surface Action Group as Staff Tactical Action Officer and Anti-Subsurface Warfare Evaluator.

Master Chief Smith’s shore assignments include duty as Supply Petty Officer and Hazmat Coordinator at NTC Great Lakes, Illinois from 1998 to 2001. Afloat Training Group San Diego from 2007 to 2010 as In-Port Training LCPO, and Combat Systems Team Leader. His most recent shore tour was a second tour at Afloat Training Group San Diego from December 2013 to November 2015, where he was selected to Master Chief and into the Command Master Chief program, completing his tour as Combat Systems Department Leading Chief Petty Officer.

Master Chief Smith is a graduate of the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy (Class 188, (Blue) and the Command Master Chief/Chief of the Boat Course, (Class 151). He has qualified Enlisted Surface Warfare, Aviation Warfare, Master Training Specialist and Afloat Training Specialist designations.

His decorations include Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (5 awards), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (5 awards), and various unit and campaign awards.

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