Sergeant Major Gary Smith
Sergeant Major
Marine Corps Systems Command
Sergeant Major Gary Smith is the command senior enlisted leader of Marine Corps Systems Command, Quantico, VA. He serves as the principal advisor to the MARCORSYSCOM Commander on all issues affecting health, morale, welfare and professional development for Marines within the command.
Sergeant Major Smith was born in Walterboro, South Carolina. He attended Walterboro High School and upon graduation, enlisted in the Marine Corps. He attended recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina, and was meritoriously promoted to private first class upon completion of recruit training. He was then transferred to Twenty Nine Palms, California, where he attended the Field Radio Operator Course and was assigned the MOS 2531.
Sergeant Major Smith then received orders to 2nd Marine Division, Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and was assigned to Headquarters Battalion, Communications Company Radio Platoon. During this tour of duty he deployed in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
In March 1993, he was ordered to Okinawa, Japan, and assigned to 3rd Marine Division, 12th Marine Regiment, Communications Radio Platoon as a section leader. Upon completion of a one-year tour, he was transferred to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing where he served with Marine Wing Support Squadron-273, Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort, South Carolina. Assigned to the Communications Platoon, he served as the Radio Section leader and was promoted to sergeant in October 1994.
In July 1995, Sergeant Major Smith requested and received orders to Drill Instructor School at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, South Carolina. Upon graduation from Drill Instructor School, he was assigned to 2nd Recruit Training Battalion. During this tour of duty, he served as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and Series Gunnery Sergeant with Golf Company.
In November 1998, he reported to The Basic School, Quantico, Virginia, as the Communications Chief. During this tour he was promoted to gunnery sergeant and subsequently assigned to Officer Candidate School Permanent Personnel where he served as Sergeant Instructor, Platoon Sergeant, Company Gunnery Sergeant and General Military Subjects Chief.
In June 2002, Sergeant Major Smith received orders to 1st Marine Aircraft Wing and was assigned to Headquarters and Service Company, Marine Wing Communications Squadron-18 where he served as company First Sergeant. During this tour, he also served with the Central Identification Lab as a Communications Watch Officer for the 81st mission to Laos to recover U.S. service members’ remains.
In December 2003, he was selected to first sergeant and transferred to the 7th Communications Battalion, III Marine Expeditionary Force Headquarters Group as Service Company First Sergeant. In March 2005, he was assigned as the Alpha Company First Sergeant, and in January 2006, he was transferred to 3rd Transportation Support Battalion, 3rd Marine Logistics Group and posted as the Headquarters and Service Company First Sergeant.
In October 2006, Sergeant Major Smith attended the Senior Enlisted Academy in Newport, Rhode Island, where he received Distinguished Honor Graduate Award in Class 128.
In July 2007, he was transferred to 1st Battalion, 10th Marines, 2nd Marine Division as the Charlie Battery First Sergeant. In October 2007, he was selected for his current rank of sergeant major.
In July 2008, Sergeant Major Smith transferred to Marine Attack Squadron 542, Marine Aircraft Group 14, 2nd MAW as the Squadron Sergeant Major.
In May 2010, he was selected as Director of the Quantico Staff Noncommissioned Officer Academy where he was responsible for the efforts of more than 50 permanent personnel and two civilians who supported and educated more than 3,000 Marine, joint service and international students during the operation of all courses.
In January 2012, he attended the Keystone Command Senior Enlisted Leaders Course at the National Defense University.
Sergeant Major Smith was selected as the Senior Enlisted Leader for Combined Joint Task Force Horn of Africa, an organization of more than1,800 joint military members in 14 countries in Africa. In August 2013, he was transferred to the 4th Marine Logistics Group, New Orleans, Louisiana, as the principal advisor to the commander on all issues affecting the health, morale, welfare and professional development of the Marines and Sailors in the command.
Sergeant Major Smith’s personal decorations include the Legion of Merit, the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with one gold star, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with three gold stars, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with three gold stars and the Combat Action Ribbon.
Sergeant Major Smith holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Management from Excelsior College and is currently enrolled in a graduate program at Louisiana State University School of Business. He also holds a U.S. Department of Labor certification as a professional counselor.