Major Smith attended recruit training at MCRD Parris Island during in January, 2003. Following completion of Marine Combat Training, he attended Data Network Specialist School in Twenty-Nine Palms, CA.
Following the completion of MOS school, he checked into MAG-42 HQ S-6 as a 0651 reservist out of NAS Atlanta. In October of 2003 he volunteered to deploy to Bagram Afghanistan as a Rear Area Security Marine with HMLA-773. After a six-month tour in Afghanistan and six months on active duty back at NAS Atlanta he returned to reserve status to complete his bachelors.
In January 2009, he attended OCS as part of the OCC program. Upon commissioning, Major Smith reported to The Basic School as a member of Delta Company.
After TBS, he completed naval flight training at NAS Pensacola, FL, NAS Whiting Field, FL, and NAS Kingsville, TX, receiving his wings in December of 2012. He completed AV-8B training and was assigned to VMA-214 aboard MCAS Yuma, AZ in February of 2014.
During his time as a Black Sheep, while trying to gain the status of a combat wingman, Major Smith completed Weapons and Tactics Instructor academic Course and Aviation Safety Officer Course. He held various ground jobs/responsibilities to include: Airframes and Flight Equipment OIC, Current Operations Officer/Daily Schedule Writer, and stand-in Aviation Safety Officer (ASO). He voluntarily terminated his flight status in July of 2015.
After terminating his flight status and before transitioning to VMU-1, Major Smith completed a successful ten-month tour as the MAG-13 ASO. He completed the Unmanned Aircraft Commander (UAC) Course in Fort Huachuca Arizona in May of 2016 and checked into VMU-1 as a RQ-7Bv2 UAC. Soon after he began to operate the RQ-21A “Blackjack” and filled the roles of ASO, Current, Future and Assistant Operations Officer for VMU-1. Furthermore, while the RQ-21A Fleet Replacement Detachment (FRD) was still in development, he became the first and sole FRD instructor for VMU-1, creating, further developing and implementing brand new flight curricula into the program. After the FRD became fully functional, Major Smith assisted in standing up, and participating in the USMC's first MQ-9A Remote Split Operations in direct support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel. During flight operations, he served as an air mission commander acting as the sole USMC liaison between General Atomics and Task Force South West in direct support of combat operations. He closed out his time at VMU-1 as both the ASO & DOSS.
In the Summer of 2019, Maj Smith moved to Norfolk, VA to act as COMNAVAIRLANT’s Fixed Wing UAS TYCOM representative. In this role, he supported the integration of UAS materials and engineering into the Naval Aviation Enterprise. Fixed Wing UAS included Marine Corps RQ-21A, and MQ-9 Reaper as well as Navy MQ-25, and other non-programs of record.
In the Summer of 2022, Maj Smith became the Operations Officer (OPSO) for VMU-2 at MCAS Cherry Point, NC. As the OPSO, he developed, managed and executed the Plan of Action and Milestones for MCBUL 5400 reorganization and re-designation of VMU-2; divesting RQ-21A operations and standing-up a MQ-9A Fleet Replacement Squadron. Upon re-designating to VMUT-2, Maj Smith took over as Executive Officer.