Major Smith enlisted in 2004. He attended the School of Infantry-West. Post-graduation, he received orders to 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, and the Amphibious Reconnaissance School in Fort Story, VA. After completing the school, he returned to 1st Reconnaissance Battalion.
At 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, he deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Company B and once aboard the 13th Marine Expeditionary Unit in Company A. He also attended the Marine Combatant Dive School, Sergeant’s Course, Survival, Evasion, Resistance, Escape School, the Army’s Long-Range Reconnaissance Surveillance Leader’s Course, and Basic Airborne Course.
In 2009, he returned from the 13th MEU and received orders to the School of Infantry-West for instructor duty at the Basic Reconnaissance Course. After attending Combat Instructor School, he was assigned the Marine Combat Instructor MOS. During his tenure, he achieved his Senior Instructor Certification, attended Military Free Fall School, and the Career Course at the Staff Non-Commissioned Officer Academy.
In 2012, he was selected for the Marine Enlisted Commissioning and Education Program. After attending the Officer Candidates Course, he received orders to the University of Idaho. While there, he earned his degree in History and Philosophy and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in 2016.
In 2016, he reported to the Basic Officer Course in Quantico, VA. He graduated from the course in 2017 with orders to 1st Radio Battalion and MOS school in Dam Neck, VA. In 2017, he received the Signals Intelligence/Ground Electronic Warfare Officer MOS. In 2018, he received orders to the 11th MEU as the Radio Battalion Detachment OIC as part of the 11th MEU. Following this deployment, he was selected for Marine Officer Instructor duty at the University of Idaho.
In 2020, Major Smith reported to Marine Officer Instructor duty at the University of Idaho. During his time there, he completed Expeditionary Warfare School (Non-resident), earned an MA in History, an MS in Adult, Organizational Learning and Leadership, and was selected as the Naval Service Training Command Navy ROTC Military Instructor of the Year and the Naval Education and Training Command Navy ROTC Military Instructor of the Year for 2023.
In 2024, Major Smith reported to 1st Reconnaissance Battalion, for duty as Intelligence Officer, Force Reconnaissance Company.
In 2025, Major Smith reported to 1st Radio Battalion, for duty as the Battalion Operations Officer.
Major Smith has been awarded the Purple Heart, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal x 5, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal x 2, and the Combat Action Ribbon. He has one son, Linus (18).