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LTC (Ret) Kevin R. Smith
(Honorary)
LTC Smith enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1978; after completing Jump School, he was assigned to the 82nd Airborne Division where he served in a range of positions, advancing through the ranks. His enlisted military education included Jungle Warfare School, Desert Warfare School, Winter Warfare School, and Mountain Warfare School. In 1981, he left active duty and joined the 47th INF DIV Army National Guard in Illinois to continue his college degree.
LTC Smith was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Military Intelligence Corps in 1983, and in 1985 he branch transferred to aviation. After completing his aviation training at Ft. Rucker, he returned to the Illinois National Guard as a flight platoon leader flying medivac missions for the state while he completed his bachelor’s degree in industrial electronics from Eastern Illinois University.
In 1988, he returned to active duty to attend CH-47 helicopter transition courses and was assigned to an aviation battalion at Fort Carson where he served in numerous aviation positions. He also became a Pilot in Command conducting high altitude search and rescue missions in the Rocky Mountains, covering five states. He is credited with two live saves.
In 1990, his unit deployed to Operation Desert Storm in Iraq where he flew combat missions as Flight Platoon Leader. He attended the Aviation Officers Advance Course and the U.S. Air Force Joint Fire Power Control Course before being assigned as Flight Platoon Leader in Germany. While stationed in Europe he deployed to Operation Restore Hope in Somalia, supported the United Nations mandated no-fly zone in Iraq, and helped oversee flight operations to successfully fly in humanitarian relief supplies to besieged Yugoslavia in Operation Provide Promise.
LTC Smith attended the Combined Arms and Services Staff School, becoming a Regional Training Team Chief. After leaving active duty in 1997, he served in a number of National Guard aviation assignments. In 2000, after completing the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College (CGSC), he became the Director of Instruction for the CGSC, managing 63 LTC professors in five states.
LTC Smith’s last deployment was in support of Operation Enduring Freedom from February 2010 to June 2011 as a Crisis Action Team Chief with HQ 7th Army. He was responsible for monitoring, tracking, and taking action on emerging and ongoing worldwide conflicts and contingency activities.
In 2001, LTC Smith came to Arlington where he made significant contributions to the University of Texas at Arlington’s Reserve Officers Training Course as Assistant Professor of Military Science and Recruiting Operations Officer. LTC Smith recruited over 2,040 cadets, and many of them eventually became 2nd Lieutenants in the Army. LTC Smith’s tireless efforts were instrumental in enabling the Maverick Battalion to exceed recruiting and retention goals. The 5th Brigade, Cadet Command regularly uses his standard operating procedures as the standard for others to follow.
LTC Smith’s awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Air Medal, Army Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters, Army Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal with oak leaf cluster, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, South West Asia Service Medal with three clusters, Saudi Arabia Kuwait Liberation Medal, Kuwait Liberation of Kuwait Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, and the Army Superior Unit Award. LTC Smith is also active in his community; volunteering at food closets and homeless shelters. He is a Chamber of Commerce member and sits on the Champion Education Board.
LTC Smith currently resides in Grand Prairie with his wife Mary. Their son, Samuel Smith, is a Sergeant in the U.S. Army.