STORY BEHIND THE PLAQUE
Service Reflections of LTC Stephen Smith, U.S. Army (1985-2022)

There is no doubt in my heart that it was the Lord God and the encouragement of a dear/beloved friend who influenced my decision to join the US Army. Here is the quick story: In our senior year in high school, we had the opportunity to attend George T. Baker Aviation Technical School, a trade school where we would become aviation sheet-metal and power-plant mechanics.

After a year at the trade school, my buddy on a particular day saw an Army commercial on TV, “Be All You Can Be In The Army” campaign. Influenced by the TV commercial, he went to the recruiter’s office and signed up. The following week, when I saw him at the trade school, he told me that he had joined the Army. I remember plainly saying to him, “Are you mad!” My buddy explained to me the military incentive the Army was offering him once he completed Basic Training. I was so encouraged by what he shared, especially the financial incentives the Army was offering for college (The GI Bill). Pondering what my friend had told me, I prayed to God for guidance and direction about joining the Army. Given the peace, the following week I went to the recruiter’s office and signed up, and joined!

Before I entered Basic Training, I was on the Delayed Entry Training Program as a freshman at Miami-Dade Junior College. My major at that time was Aviation Technology. On 1 July 1985, I received my Basic Training ORDERS for Fort Jackson, SC. Once at Fort Jackson, I was assigned to D Co-4th BN-1BDE (D-4-1) and later reassigned to E Co-5th BN-1BDE (E-5-1). Upon completing Basic Training, I received ORDERS for Fort Eustis, VA, where I attended my Advanced Individual Training (AIT). From there, I received ORDERS for Fort Hood, TX, and was assigned to 6th Cavalry Aviation Brigade (6th CAV BDE). I enlisted for 3 years as an Aviation Sheet Metal Mechanic (68G) and served as an Enlisted Soldier until I ETS in 1988. I returned to FL, where I started my freshman year at Palm Beach Atlantic University. I graduated in 1991, worked for a while, and in 1993 enrolled in graduate school, where I received my commission as a 2LT in 1994.

My first assignment as a Commissioned Officer was Fort Leonard Wood, MO (1 MAY 1998), and my final assignment was Fort Benning, GA. I retired in November 2022 after a 30-year combined military career.

I served in several military operations, including combat and peacekeeping operations: US Army Eskan Village, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (SEP 01 – MAY 02), Joint Task Force, Kuwait, Victory Strike III Tactical Field Exercise (2002), Poland. As a Combat Veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF 2003) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF 2008 – 2009), I must say that OIF theatre operations impacted me the most because it was war, and war changes you!!!

Yes, during Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). I was assigned to 6-52 Air Defense Artillery (Patriot) Battery, Germany. As soon as we arrived in Kuwait and in-processed, immediately after we got our marching ORDERS, we were on the road heading north to Baghdad. There were seven assigned Batteries. We were loaded down with the unit Defense Artillery (Patriot) Scud missiles, Humvees, military trucks, unit equipment, and personnel. On our way to Baghdad, we had several breakdowns where we encountered enemy surveillance and Iraqi Soldiers.

Other situations were when I had to make my Religious Support/Spiritual-Morale Coverage rounds, that is, get on the manifest roster to visit the troops spread out throughout the operation theater.

Of all my duty stations/assignments, the one I have the fondest memories of is my first duty assignment: 787th Military Police BN, 14th MP BDE, Fort Leonard Wood, MO. It was my fondest because I was on the trail for three years with the best of the best: the drill sergeants who professionally developed and trained me to become a professional military Officer/Soldier. Hooah!!!

In addition to what I have mentioned, as a Military Police (MP) Basic Training Chaplain (1LT) and cadre, it stretched and challenged me above and beyond what I thought I could not do. The days and hours were long, and we got little sleep and rest. I was constantly engaged (24/7) with the basic trainees, the Drill Sergeants, the command, and the mandatory staff work that was required of me. It was hard work, but I enjoyed every moment of it!!!

I do not have a least favorite assignment, but I must say that Korea (2005 -2007) was a challenge!

Memories from my entire military service that I still reflect on to this day are: my Enlisted Basic Training at Fort Jackson, SC; my Advanced Individual Training (AIT), Fort Eustis, VA; my Officer Basic Training at Fort Monmouth, NJ and Fort Jackson, SC, and my Advanced Officer Basic (C3) training at Fort Leavenworth, KS.

In addition, my deployments to Kuwait, Eskan Village, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, OIF/OEF, and my assignment to Germany.

I enjoyed all of my professional achievements as I rose through the ranks. I say this with all humility; I am grateful and humbled for the opportunity God gave me as an Army Chaplain to serve and minister to others (bless others) throughout my military career. In addition, I am very grateful to have achieved the level of rank and retired after serving 25+ combined years.

Of all the medals, awards, formal presentations, qualification badges, and memorabilia I received, all of them were meaningful to me. There is hardly a reason; I just appreciated it, and I am thankful for the opportunity to serve in the capacity I did.

The individuals from the time I served who stand out as having the most positive impact on me were my 787th Military Police BN Commander, XO, and Drill Sergeants. I was a green 1LT, and I had a lot to learn as a junior officer, and the Drill Sergeants on the tail did exactly that for me. They professionally taught (developed and trained) me how to be a good officer and a professional Soldier.

1998-2001, 787th Military Police BN, 14th MP BDE, Fort Leonard Wood, MO:
Drill Sergeants, staff, cadre
LTC McClanahan, Jack R. Jr BN Commander
MAJ Blackwell, Michael D. BN XO
CPT Hamilton, Craig

2007-2011, 277th Aviation Support BN, 10th Mountain, Fort Drum, NY; Combat Operation Base (COB Camp Speicher), Tirkit, Iraq:
MAJ Glazier, George, BN XO
CW5 (Ret.) Redding, Walter Jr.

2015-2018, 211th Region Support Group (RSG), Corpus Christi, TX:
CSM (Ret.) Bashear
SSG (Ret.) Gamez, James
MSG (Ret.) Armstrong

1995 Chaplain School, Fort Monmouth, NJ, Fort Jackson, SC:
Chaplain (LTC, Ret.) Riedel, Scott
CH Young D Kim
CH Nyhl F. Irvin

Yes, I can recount a particular incident from my Army military service, which may or may not have been funny at the time, but I can laugh at it. It all started in Basic Training. I was an Enlisted PFC in Basic Training, Fort Jackson, SC. During Blue Phase Week, Weapon Qualification (Weapon Qual with M16), I quickly learned that I was one of the worst weapon shooters (qualifier). I had to go several times to the range to qualify. During my weapon-qual trips, the Drill Sergeants (DS) would give me an extra 10 rounds to help me qualify. It was not funny at the time, but would you believe it, I still did not qualify–get the magic number. To qualify, you had to get 23 out of 40 rounds. I did not get it! I had to be recycled to another unit…I was a marked private with the Drill Sergeants. It was not funny then, but now I laugh!!!

After my military service and retirement from the Army, I worked at the VA hospital as a Clinical Pastoral Education Chaplain. My work included providing comprehensive pastoral care and counseling to all patients and staff, beginning in the ER and continuing through the Medical Telemetry unit, Long Care, Behavioral Health Ward, Palliative Care, and Hospice/end-of-life Care. Currently, I am fully retired!

There have been many ways in which serving in the military has influenced the way I approach my life and career. For example, our Military Leadership and Discipline. It has been an added discipline (code of conduct) besides my Christian faith that has governed and shaped my behavior and attitude, decision-making, conduct, and how I approach things throughout life. It is a discipline, a code of conduct, that has helped me through stressful situations.

In addition to our Military Disciplines, are our Army Values: Loyalty–Bear true faith and allegiance to the U.S. Constitution, the Army, your unit, and other Soldiers. Duty–Fulfill your obligations. Doing your duty means more than carrying out your assigned tasks. Respect–Treat people as they should be treated., Selfless Service–Put the welfare of the nation, the Army, and your subordinates before your own. Honor–Live up to Army values., Integrity–Do what’s right, legally and morally, and Personal Courage–Face fear, danger, or adversity (physical or moral), as a Chaplain has been an added blessing to my spiritual life and my ordinary and professional life.

The Military has also influenced me to act and function like an extrovert, to be well-rounded and balanced, to make decisions (tough decisions under pressure), and to be a good leader, lead by example!!!

What I missed the most was the Esprit de Corps: the sense of unity, the camaraderie, the Bond of Friendship and relationships, the Band of Brothers and sisters, and the MWR!

The Field Training Exercises (FTX) and deployments…

Based on my own experiences, the advice I would give to those who have recently joined the Army is this: You have given up so much to serve our nation. You are the 1% who have volunteered to defend our nation’s freedom. You have sacrificially served for over 10 years! Should I remind you of the times you spent away from your family, loved ones, and close friends? You have missed birthdays, family weddings, anniversaries, family-friends’ outings, family vacations, the numerous pains and aches you have put your body through; and oh, what about the countless deployments, should I go on? If you have served for 10 years or more, please, please stay in until you get your 20-year. Do not throw away your Retirement Benefits! It is worth it!!!?

The website TogetherWeServed.com has helped me remember (reminisce) my military service and the friends I served with through the great questions asked, the dynamic website design and its dashboard, and the way it helps us record our history, personal military information and documents, and, most importantly, reconnect with old friends, Battle Buddies.