Lt. Cmdr. Jack L. Smith was born on July 8th, 1972, in Ocala, Florida. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy October 19th, 1993 under the Seaman Apprenticeship Program. He attended Basic and Seaman Apprenticeship training at Recruit Training Command in Orlando, Florida. Shortly thereafter in February 1994, he reported to USS Peterson (DD-969). He completed one Mediterranean cruise and numerous deployments in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.
In May of 1996, Smith attended the Navy's Master-at-Arms (MA) "A" school. Upon graduation, Smith reported to Security Department Naval Support Activity Naples, Italy as a Master-at-Arms 3rd Class Petty Officer. June 1998 he reported to Security Department Naval Support Activity Souda Bay Crete, Greece.
He was promoted to Master-at-Arms 2nd Class Petty Officer in December of 1998 and was selected to attend the Military Working Dog Handlers (MWD) course at the 341ST Training Squadron in Lackland AFB, Texas. Upon completion, he reported to Security Department Naval Submarine Base Kings Bay, Georgia.
In May of 2000, he was deployed numerous times to Naval Station Roosevelt Roads, Puerto Rico in support of counter-insurgency Operation Eastern Access. In December 2001, Smith was promoted to Master-at-Arms 1st Class Petty Officer.
In August of 2002, he reported to USS Simpson (FFG-56) as the ship’s Chief Master-at-Arms. As part of Standing Naval Forces Atlantic, USS Simpson conducted numerous deployments in the western Atlantic, counter-drug operations and exercises involving NATO and U.S. naval forces.
In September 2005, he was promoted to Master-at-Arms Chief Petty Officer. In November 2005, he reported to Strategic Weapons Facility, Atlantic tasked with guarding some of the nation’s highest assets.
In October 2008, he was commissioned to Ensign through the LDO/CWO In-Service Procurement program. After completing Officer Development School in Newport, Rhode Island, he reported to USS Nassau (LHA-4). He completed an arduous seven month deployment in support of Operation Unified Response Haiti and Mediterranean/Persian Gulf NASARG operations. Smith also completed his Surface Warfare Officer qualification while onboard USS Nassau.
In April 2011, he reported to the Naval Criminal Investigative Service, Security Training, Assessments, and Assistance Team Atlantic.
In July 2013, he reported to Commander Fleet Actives Chinhae, South Korea as the installation Security Officer and Force Protection Officer. He also played a major part of two Tier I Joint combined exercises Key Resolve and UFJ strengthening the US-ROK alliance.
In August 2015 he reported to Coastal Riverine Group TWO Detachment Bahrain for Embarked Security Intelligence Teams in support of Operations Enduring Freedom and Inherent Resole.
In October 2016 he reported to Naval Weapons Station Yorktown as the Installation Security Officer.
Lt. Cmdr. Smith’s personal decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (five), Navy Achievement Medal (eight awards), and various unit, service and campaign medals and ribbons.