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.