Lieutenant Smith is the Senior Policy Advisor for the United States Coast Guard, Reserve Forces Policy Board, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Washington, D.C. The Reserve Forces Policy Board serves as an independent adviser to the Secretary of Defense, providing advice and recommendations to the Secretary on strategies, policies, and practices designed to improve and enhance the capabilities, efficiency and effectiveness of the Reserve components. Lieutenant Smith is currently assigned to the U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters Office of Reserve Affairs, Policy and Plans Division. He serves on staff as a Reserve Program Administrator providing subject matter expertise on Reserve personnel, mobilization, and readiness policies and procedures.

Lieutenant Smith is a native of Chicago, IL and enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve in 2005. He served as a Boatswain Mate at Station Calumet Harbor, IL until he received his commission as an Officer in 2008. Upon receiving his commission as an Officer, Lieutenant Smith served at Sector San Francisco in the Prevention Department’s Container Inspection Bureau managing and overseeing the regulatory and inspection aspects of the Coast Guard’s safety, security, and environmental protection responsibilities for vessels and facilities. Prior to assuming his current duties, Lieutenant Smith was assigned to Port Security Unit (PSU) 309 in Port Clinton, OH. Coast Guard Port Security Units are part of the Service’s Deployable Specialized Forces and provide port security in support of military and humanitarian operations worldwide. Lieutenant Smith served as the unit’s Administrative and Deployment Planning Officer and oversaw the unit’s deployment to Kuwait in 2012 as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, Commander, Task Group 56.5. Concurrently, Lieutenant Smith was assigned to the U.S. Coast Guard Headquarters Office of Specialized Capabilities as the Small Arms Program Manager from 2010-2011 where he was responsible for developing, promulgating and maintaining Coast Guard small arms standards and policy.

Lieutenant Smith received his Bachelor of Science in Workforce Education from Southern Illinois University and is currently completing his Masters of Science in Quality Systems Management from The National Graduate School in Falmouth, MD. In his civilian employment, Lieutenant Smith works for the Village of Deerfield Illinois Police Department where he has been certified as a Police Officer since 1994. His military awards include the Coast Guard Achievement Medal, Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendation, National Defense Service Medal, Navy/Marines Overseas Service Medal, Global War on Terror Service Medal, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, and other unit and individual awards. Lieutenant Smith has qualified to wear the Port Security Insignia, and the Boat Forces Pewter Insignia.

(As of 14 Aug 2014)