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(Click here for a printable copy of Maj. General Jefforey A. Smith's
official biography.)

COMMANDING GENERAL'S BIOGRAPHY

Major General Jefforey A. Smith was commissioned second lieutenant of Infantry through ROTC from The Ohio State University in 1983. He started his career with 3rd Brigade and 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, where he served as a mortar platoon leader, scout platoon leader, company executive officer and battalion air operations officer.

From 1989-1991, he commanded a rifle company in 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment, 101st Airborne Division, with service in the first Gulf War in OPERATIONS DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM in Iraq. He later served as the Operations Officer (S3) for 2-14 Infantry and 2nd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division, followed by a tour as an Infantry Assignment Officer at U.S. Army Personnel Command. From 1999-2001, he commanded 2nd Battalion, 327th Infantry Regiment of the 101st Airborne Division with service in OPERATION JOINT GUARDIAN in Kosovo. Following battalion command, he served as the Division Operations Officer (G3) of the 101st Airborne Division.

From 2003-2005, he commanded 3rd Brigade/505th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division. During brigade command, he served in OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM in 2003-2004, where he led a Brigade Combat Team of over 5,000 troops in combat. Following brigade command, Major General Smith served as Executive Officer to Commander, United States Central Command from 2005 to 2007.

From 2007-2009, he served as Chief of Staff for 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, New York and as Deputy Commanding General for 10th Mountain Division and Multi-National Division South, OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM in Iraq. From 2009-2010, Major General Smith served as Deputy Director for Political-Military Affairs for the Middle East, Strategic Plans and Policy Directorate (J5), on the Joint Staff in the Department of Defense.

From 2010-2011, he served as the Assistant Commanding General for Police Development, North Atlantic Organization Training Mission Afghanistan/Combined Security Transition Command Afghanistan, OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. From 2011-2012, he served as the Director, Army Accessions Command Discontinuance Task Force, Fort Knox, Kentucky. April 2012, assumed command of United States Army Cadet Command and Fort Knox.

Major General Smith has earned a Bachelor of Science Degree, two Masters Degrees and is a graduate of the United States Army War College. His awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Bronze Star Medal (with two Oak Leaf Clusters), Meritorious Service Medal (with five Oak Leaf Clusters), Humanitarian Service Medal, Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge, Combat Infantryman Badge (with Star), Expert Infantryman Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge and Ranger Tab.