Brigadier General Jeffery M. Smith assumed duties as the Director Joint Staff for the Alabama National Guard on 15 January 2023.
Brigadier General Smith began his military career by enlisting in the Regular Army. During this time he deployed in support of Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Brigadier General Smith’s nomination and acceptance into the “Green to Gold” program resulted in his commission as a Signal Officer through the ROTC program at the University of North Carolina-Pembroke in 1993.
He is a graduate of the Signal Officer Basic Course, Engineer Officer Advanced Course, Command and General Staff College, Advanced Force Management (FA50) Course, Lean Six Sigma Course, Reserve Component Theater Sustainment Course, United States Army War College, and Joint Task Force Commander Course.
Brigadier General Smith’s Command Assignments include: Garrison Commander for the Alabama Army National Guard Training Center (Fort McClellan and Eglin), Commander, 22nd Recruiting and Retention Battalion; Commander, 1203rd Engineer Battalion; Commander, HHD, Joint Forces Headquarters-Alabama; and Commander, of the 167th Engineer Company (AFB) where he mobilized the company for Operation Enduring Freedom.
Brigadier General Smith’s other key staff assignments include: Chief of Staff, Alabama Army National Guard; Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations (G3-5-7), Alabama Army National Guard; G3, 135th Expeditionary Sustainment Command (deployed to the CENTCOM AOR in support of Operations Spartan Shield, Inherent Resolve and Enduring Freedom); S3, 226th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade; Mobilization Plans Officer, JFHQ-Alabama; S3 Plans Officer, 1169th Engineer Group (deployed for combat operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom 06-07); Force Integration Officer, JFHQ-Alabama; Administrative/Training Officer, 200th Engineer Battalion; Training Officer, 1203rd Engineer Battalion; and J2, Joint Task Force Caribbean Castle in support of Operation Beyond the Horizon.
Brigadier General Smith holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from the University of North Carolina-Pembroke, a Master of Science in Quality Management from the University of Alabama and a Master of Strategic Studies from the United States Army War College.
His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal w/ 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters, Southwest Asia Service Medal w/ 3 Bronze Stars, Iraqi Campaign Medal w/ Campaign Star, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medal and the Combat Action Badge.
Brigadier General Smith is married to Barbara (BJ) and has three children: Tanner (27), Anna (25), Zach (21) and three step-children: Mary Beth (31), Kendall (28) and Tucker (22).