Maj Smith was born 21 April, 1988 in Orange, CA. He graduated from the U.S. Air Force Academy in 2010 with a B.S. in Middle Eastern Studies before being commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps on 26 May, 2010. In January 2016, Smith graduated from The Basic School and reported to NAS Pensacola for flight training as a Naval Flight Officer. Maj Smith earned his wings in October, 2012 before reporting to NAS Whidbey Island for Fleet Replacement Training in the EA-6B Prowler with VAQ-129. In May 2014, Maj Smith reported to VMAQ-4.

From July 2014 – February 2015, Maj Smith saw action in CENTCOM flying combat missions in support of Operations INHERENT RESOLVE, ENDURING FREEDOM, and FREEDOM’S SENTINEL. During this time, he served as a daily and weekly schedule writer in the S-3.

Upon returning from CENTCOM, Maj Smith supported Red Flag 15-2 and Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) Course 16-1 while serving as the Assistant Operations Officer. In April 2016, Smith graduated from WTI 16-2 before deploying to CENTCOM in support of Operation INHERENT RESOLVE from May 2016 – October 2016 while serving as the Assistant Electronic Warfare Officer. Following redeployment, Maj Smith served as the Electronic Warfare Department Head where he supported Red Flag 17-2 followed by WTI 17-2 where he augmented the MAWTS-1 EA-6B Division as an instructor prior to the sundown of VMAQ-4 in June 2017.

In July 2017, Maj Smith reported to the Defense Language Institute – Washington D.C. for German language training as a member of the Olmsted Scholar Class of 2018. He subsequently completed a two-and-a-half year cultural immersion in Potsdam, Germany, during which time he also earned his Master’s Degree in War and Conflict Studies at the University of Potsdam. In March 2021, Major Smith graduated from the MAGTF Intelligence Officer Course 21-1 and was re-designated a MAGTF Intelligence Officer. He reported to RS Albuquerque in June 2021.