1SG Dennis L. Smith 

First Sergeant Dennis Smith was born in Lake City, Florida.  He entered the United States Army on 14 February 1986 at Ft. Benning, GA. After completing Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training he was assigned to A Company, 3d Battalion 502d Infantry Regiment, Ft. Campbell Kentucky where he served two years.  First Sergeant Smith was transferred to the United Nations Command, Joint Security Force Pan Mun Jom, Korea in 1988 where he served on year. When First Sergeant Smith returned from overseas, he was assigned to C Company, 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment (Pathfinders) Ft. Rucker, Alabama.  While assigned to the 509th, he was attached to the 2d Battalion 29th Attack Aviation Battalion as a member of a five man Pathfinder team and conducted combat operations in Iraq during Operation Desert Shield and Storm.  Following this assignment in 1992, First Sergeant Smith returned to Ft. Benning where he served in the 3d Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment.  While assigned to 3d Battalion First Sergeant Smith held the jobs of Squad Leader, Weapons Platoon Sergeant, Rifle Platoon Sergeant, Battalions Assistant Operations Sergeant, Battalion Operations Sergeant and his most recent assignment as Company First Sergeant of Headquarter and Headquarters Company, 3d Battalion 75th Ranger Regiment.  First Sergeant Smith has deployed four times since September 11, 2001in support of the Global War on Terrorism, twice to Iraq and twice to Afghanistan. 

First Sergeant Smith's military education includes:  Selection to the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, the First Sergeants Course, Battle Staff Noncommissioned Officer Course, Ranger School, Pathfinders School, Airborne School, Air Assault School, Jumpmaster School, Master Fitness Trainers course and the Special Operations Training Course. 

First Sergeants Smith's awards and decorations include: The Bronze Star Medal (3d Oak Leaf Cluster), Purple Heart, The Meritorious Service Medal (4th Oak Leaf Cluster), Air Medal, Army Commendations Medal (with Silver Oak Leaf), Army Achievement Medal (4th Oak Leaf Cluster), Humanitarian Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Development Ribbon (with Numeral 3), Army Conduct Medal (6th Award), Ranger Tab, Master Parachutist Badge (with Bronze Combat Jump Star), Pathfinder Badge, Air Assault Badge, Expert Infantryman's Badge, and the Combat Infantryman's Badge (second award). 

First Sergeant Smith is married to the former Miss Debra Kay Kenneda, from Boyne City Michigan.  They have two dogs, Cynder age nine and Redd age three.