Executive Officer, 7th Communication Battalion
Major Paul Smith is a native of Annapolis, Maryland. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 2007 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. He attended The Basic School in 2007 and Basic Communication Officer’s Course in 2008.
In July 2008, Major Smith checked into Communications Company, 3d Marine Division, where he served as platoon commander for the Motor Transport/Utilities and Radio Platoons. In August 2009, Major Smith commenced duties as Aide-de-Camp, 3d Marine Division, and supported the Commanding General and Division in this role through December 2010.
Major Smith was next transferred to 3d Reconnaissance Battalion and deployed to Afghanistan in 2011 as the Battalion S-6 in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. Upon returning from deployment, Major Smith assumed duties as the Headquarters and Services Company Commander, 3d Reconnaissance Battalion, in May 2012. In November 2013 Major Smith was transferred to the G-6, where he served as the Network Operations Officer for six months, rounding out his time with 3d Marine Division.
Upon selection for the Foreign Area Officer (FAO) program, Major Smith moved to Monterey in May 2014 for studies at the Naval Postgraduate School and Defense Language Institute. He was subsequently assigned to the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo, Japan for FAO In-Country Training in December 2016. From December 2017 to July 2020 Major Smith served as the III Marine Expeditionary Force Liaison Officer to the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force Western Army and Amphibious Rapid Deployment Brigade, where he supported numerous joint and multi-lateral theater security cooperation exercises throughout the Indo-Pacific region.
Following completion of resident Marine Corps Command and Staff College in 2021, Major Smith was assigned to his present billet as Executive Officer for 7th Communication Battalion.
Major Smith holds an Associate’s Degree in Japanese Language, a Bachelor’s Degree in Ocean Engineering, a Master’s Degree in East Asia Security Studies, and a Master’s Degree in Military Studies.
Major Smith is married to Natsuki Smith of Okinawa, Japan and their son Toa was born in 2016.