Commander Smith graduated from the U. S. Naval Academy in 1994 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Ocean Engineering and a commission as a surface warfare officer. He began his naval career on board USS Reid (FFG-30) as the Undersea Warfare Officer and Combat Information Center Officer. Upon return from deployment to the Arabian Gulf he transferred to the USS Nicholson (DD-982), where he served as the Main Propulsion Assistant. After two successful sea tours, Commander Smith changed designators to the Civil Engineer Corps and reported as Assistant Resident Officer in Charge of Construction (AROICC), Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia where he managed over $70 Million in waterfront construction projects.
Commander Smith left active duty and affiliated with the Navy Reserve in 2001. He served as the Headquarters Company Commander and Bravo Company Commander for Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 14 (NMCB 14). In 2004, while assigned as Facilities Engineer and Contracting Officer for Naval Facilities Engineering Command, Contingency Engineering Unit, Commander Smith was recalled to active duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During mobilization he served as the Contracting Officer and Detachment Officer-in-Charge for the MEF Engineering Group, Officer In Charge of Construction (OICC) Detachment Al Asad, Iraq, where he lead a team of engineers responsible for the award and execution of 41 reconstruction contracts valued at over $27 million. Upon return from mobilization, Commander Smith served as the Executive Officer for NMCB 14. In September 2009, following a tour assigned to the future operations planning staff at First Naval Construction Division, Commander Smith assumed command of Naval Mobile Construction Battalion 23 (NMCB 23), headquartered at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Commander Smith assumed command of NMCB 14 in December 2012.
Commander Smiths personal awards include the two Meritorious Service Medal, three Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals, two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, two National Defense Service Medals and various unit commendations and campaign medals. He is Seabee Combat Warfare Specialist and Surface Warfare Officer qualified and is a licensed Professional Engineer in South Carolina.
In his civilian career, Commander Smith is employed as a Program Manager at DRS Technology Services, Inc.