Command Sgt. Maj. Rodney M. Smith is a native of Houston, Texas. He enlisted in the United States Army on 13 August 2003. He attended Basic Combat Training and Advance Individual Training as a Human Resource Specialist at Fort Jackson, South Carolina.
Command Sgt. Maj. Smith has served in variety of leadership positions, including Human Resources Operations Center Sergeant Major, First Sergeant, Brigade S1 NCOIC, Equal Opportunity Advisor (EOA), Battalion S1 NCOIC, Warrior Transition Battalion Squad Leader, Human Resource Sergeant, Human Resource Specialist and Unit Mail Clerk.
His stateside assignments include Joint Base Lewis McCord, Washington; Joint Base San Antonio, TX; Fort Stewart, GA; Fort Liberty, NC; Fort Carson, CO. His overseas assignments include Wiesbaden, Germany and contingency operations in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Command Sgt. Maj. Smith's military education includes the Sergeants Major Academy (Class 73) Commander/First Sergeant Course; Master Leader’s Course (MLC); Senior Leader’s Course (SLC); Advance Leader’s Course (ALC); Basic Leader’s Course (BLC); BDE S1 Course; Equal Opportunity Advisor Course; Battle Staff Course; SHARP and Equal Opportunity Leaders Course; Combative Level I; ASSIST T4T Course; WTU TRIAD Course. SGM Smith holds an Associate’s Degree in Business Administration from Wayland Baptist University and a Bachelor’s Degree in Liberal Arts from Kaplan University and a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Workforce Development from Command and General Staff College.
Command Sgt. Maj. Smith's awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal (4th award), Army Commendation Medal (3rd award), Army Achievement Medal (5th award), Valorous Unit Award (VUA), Meritorious Unit Commendation (MUC), Army Good Conduct Medal (6th award), National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal (2nd Award), Iraq Campaign Medal (2nd award), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NATO Medal,
Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon (5th award), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon (2nd award) Driver and Mechanic Badge and the Sharp Shooter Marksman Qualification Badge.
Command Sgt. Maj. Smith is a member of the prestigious Sergeant Audie Murphy Club and a recipient of the AG Colonel Manning Award.
He has three children.