Biography
Executive Officer, 1st Tank Battalion
Major Mark A. Smith

Enlisted in the Marine Corps in July 1989 and attended basic training at MCRD San Diego.  Following graduation he attended Marine Combat Training and Basic Engineer Operators Course.  Assignments while enlisted included 1st Combat Engineer Battalion deploying for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm in August 1990 and Operation Restore Hope I in November 1992.  Additionally, he served in Marine Wing Support Squadron 374.  The highest enlisted rank attained was Staff Sergeant.

Major Smith attended Officer Candidates School in 1997 through the Marine Enlisted Commissioning Education Program, graduating in 1999 from the Oregon State University with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science.

In June 2000, following commissioning and graduation from The Basic School, Major Smith attended the Armor Officer Basic Course with follow on assignment to 1st Tank Battalion. Duties included platoon commander for 2nd Platoon, Company B and executive officer for Company A.  Major Smith deployed with the battalion to Bright Star 2002 and Operation Iraqi Freedom I.  

On return from OIF I in July 2003, he reported to 4th Tank Battalion, where he was assigned billets as the logistics officer, H&S Inspector-Instructor, and operations officer.  While assigned to H&S Company he deployed with the battalion to African Lion 2006.    

In August 2006 Major Smith reported to the Expeditionary Warfare School; Quantico, Virginia.  Upon graduation from EWS he reported to 1st Tank Battalion July 2007 assigned to the duties of Operations Officer and Alpha Company Commanding Officer.  As Operations Officer he planned and deployed with the battalion to Mongolia for Exercise Kahn Quest and to Romania for the Black Sea Rotational Force.  As Company A Commander he deployed as the last rotation from 1st Tank Battalion to OIF.   

In July 2010 Major Smith executed a permanent change of assignment to TTECG and served as the Assistant Operations Officer. 

In July 2012 Major Smith attended resident Command and Staff graduating as a distinguished graduate.   

In July 2013 Major Smith reported to 1st Tank Battalion and was assigned to an Individual Augment Billet to Afghanistan as part of the International Security Assistance Force serving in RC-North on the Commander’s Advisor and Assessment Team. 

On return from Afghanistan Major Smith served as the battalion’s operations officer for thirteen months. In July 2015 he assumed his current billet as executive officer.  

Personal decorations include the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal, two Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medals each with the combat “V” device, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, NATO/ISAF Medal, and two Combat Action Ribbons.

 
1st Marine Division