Scott M. Smith

Associate Professor College of Leadership and Ethics
Capt., U.S. Navy, Retired
Scott Smith faculty photo

Biography

Scott Smith is a retired surface warfare officer. He deployed throughout the globe primarily on frigates and destroyers, including in command of USS Klakring (FFG 42) and USS Michael Monsoor (DDG 1001). Ashore, he served as a speechwriter to Commander, U.S. Fleet Forces Command and to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; as the deputy to the Secretary of Defense's Senior Advisor for Military Professionalism; as the Chairman of the Joint Military Operations Department at the Naval War College; and, in his final tour, as the director of command and senior officer training at Surface Warfare Officers School.

Areas of Expertise

  • Civil-Military Relations
  • Counterdrug Operations
  • Ethics
  • Joint Operations
  • Leadership
  • Surface Warfare

Professional Highlights

2022

College of Leadership and Ethics

Upon retirement, selected to the faculty of CLE.
2020

Director, Command/Senior Officer Training, SWOS

Assigned to guide senior officer training for all surface-ship bound XOs, COs, and Major Commanders at Surface Warfare Officers School, Newport, RI.
2019

Chairman, Joint Military Operations Dept., U.S. Naval War College

Assigned as Chair of JMO and CJCS Chair.
2015

Commanding Officer, USS MICHAEL MONSOOR (DDG 1001)

Assigned as the Commissioning commander of the 2nd ZUMWALT-Class Destroyer.
2014

Deputy to the Senior Advisor for Military Professionalism

Served as RADM Klein's deputy in her role to the Secretary of Defense.
2012

Special Assistant and Speechwriter to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff

Served two years as speechwriter for the 18th CJCS, Gen. Martin Dempsey. Lead speechwriter from 2013-2014.

Education

M.S., National War College

M.A., University of Massachusetts, Dartmouth

B.A., Virginia Military Institute

External Memberships and Associations

506th Infantry Regiment (Airborne/Air Assault)
Honorary Member

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