COMMAND SERGEANT MAJOR RONALD L. SMITH, JR.
Command Senior Enlisted Leader
Command Sergeant Major Ronald L. Smith currently serves as the Senior Enlisted Leader to the Commanding General of the District of Columbia National Guard. CSM Smith is the Commanding General’s principal military advisor on all enlisted matters pertaining to Army and Air policies affecting training, utilization, resources, health of the force, and enlisted professional development, and is the consummate role model for every noncommissioned officer and senior leader.
CSM Smith enlisted in the United States Army on January19, 1989and attended Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Benning, Georgia. CSM Smith’s initial assignment was with 4th Battalion, 325th Airborne Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. While there, CSM Smith conducted 2 combat deployments, Panama in support of Operation “Just Cause,” and Saudi Arabia/Iraq, Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield.
After serving six years on active duty, CSM Smith joined the Virginia Army National Guard. His previous assignments in the National Guard include: Team Leader, 183rd Scouts; Cannon Crewmen, 1-111thField Artillery; Assistant Section Chief, Section Chief, Platoon Sergeant, Gunnery Sergeant, Aberdeen Proving Ground; Maryland, Intel Sergeant and First Sergeant 2-111thFA; Operations Sergeant, 654thMP Company Iraq; Battalion Operations Sergeant, 1-116thInfantry Battalion; CSM, 529thCombat Sustainment Support Battalion; CSM, 329thRegional Support Group; CSM, 29thInfantry Division, CSM, Combined Joint Operations Center-Jordan; and CSM, 29thInfantry Division in Kuwait, and State Command Sergeant Major and Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Assistant Adjutant General, Virginia Army National Guard. CSM Smith also deployed numerous times throughout his career.
CSM Smith’s military and civilian education includes Keystone Course at the National Defense University, USASMA (Class #33 non-resident), First Sergeant Course, Scout Platoon Course, Anti-Terrorism Level II Course, Jungle Operations Training Course, Basic Airborne School, Dragon Gunner Course, Combat Lifesaver Course, and Domestic Violence Intervention Course. CSM Smith earned a Bachelor of Science from Columbia Southern University in Criminal Justice.
CSM Smith’s awards and decorations include: Legion of Merit (1OLC), Bronze Star Medal (1 OLC), Meritorious Service Medal (1 OLC), Army Commendation Metal (3 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (5 OLC), Good Conduct Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement metal (6), National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Afghan Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Iraq Campaign Medal with Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon (Numeral 5), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (3 OLC), NATO Medal, Multinational Force and Observers Medal, Kuwait Liberation Metal (Saudi Arabia), Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait), Combat Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge with Combat Jump Star, Jordanian Parachutist Badge, and German Armed Forces Proficiency Badge (Gold).CSM Smith is a recipient of the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara. CSM Smith is married to the former Melissa Jones, and they have one son.