Eric Smith (general)

Lieutenant General Eric M. Smith is the deputy commandant for Combat Development and Integration.[1][2]

Lieutenant General

Eric M. Smith
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Marine Corps
Rank Lieutenant General
Commands heldIII Marine Expeditionary Force
First Marine Division
United States Marine Corps Forces, South
8th Marine Regiment
Battles/warsOperation Enduring Freedom
AwardsDefense Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal

Career

After completing The Basic School and Infantry Officer's Course, he was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines; participating in Operations Desert Shield / Desert Storm. Following a tour as an Officer Selection Officer, he attended the Amphibious Warfare School and then reported to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines for duty as Commanding Officer of Weapons and E Companies. During this tour he participated in Operation Assured Response in Monrovia, Liberia. After a tour as a Marine Officer Instructor at Texas A&M University, he attended the United States Army Command and General Staff Course. The following assignment was as the Naval Section Chief at the U.S. Military Group in Caracas, Venezuela from 2001–2003. From 2003 until 2006, he served in the First Marine Division as the Division Operations Officer; Executive Officer of Regimental Combat Team 1; Commanding Officer of 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. During this time, had several deployments to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, including to Ramadi in 2005. He has also served in the 2nd Marine Division as the Assistant Chief of Staff and the Commanding Officer of 8th Marine Regiment which was deployed to Afghanistan and was involved in Operation Enduring Freedom. From the July to November 2015, he commanded the Marine Corps Forces Southern Command in Miami, Florida. Then he was transferred to the Pentagon to serve as the Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense.[3][4]

He is the former Commanding General of the First Marine Division.[5] The First Marine Division is currently stationed in the Marine Corps Base in Camp Pendleton. It is part of the larger I Marine Expeditionary Force.[6] As commander, he led a hazing crackdown but was rebuked by a military judge.[7]

In May 2018, Smith was nominated for promotion to Lieutenant General[8] and assignment as commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force.[9] He received his promotion and assumed command of III MEF in August 2018.[10]

He has also participated in Operation Assured Response in Liberia.[11]

Education

Eric Smith is from Plano, Texas. He entered the Marine Corps in 1987 through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) program at Texas A&M University.

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References
  1. "General Officer Announcements". U.S. Department of Defense. 9 April 2019. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
  2. "PN596 — Lt. Gen. Eric M. Smith — Marine Corps". U.S. Congress. 23 May 2019. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
  3. "Previous Assignments".
  4. "Smith, M Eric".
  5. "Storied 1st Marine Division Gets New Commander". Retrieved 2018-03-02.
  6. "First Marine Division". Retrieved 2018-03-03.
  7. "16 marines separated for hazing". Retrieved 2018-03-18.
  8. "PN1913 — Maj. Gen. Eric M. Smith — Marine Corps". U.S. Congress. 7 May 2018. Retrieved 2018-05-18.
  9. "General Officer Announcements". U.S. Department of Defense. 8 May 2018. Retrieved 2018-05-18.
  10. "III MEF bids farewell to Nicholson, welcomes Smith as new commanding general". Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. 2 August 2018. Retrieved 2018-08-02.
  11. "Lieutenant General Eric M. Smith Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary Force; and Commander, Marine Forces Japan". Marines. Retrieved Sep 15, 2018.


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