Sergeant Major Joshua J. Smith was born in Los Angeles, California and graduated Marine Recruit Depot San Diego in August of 1996. He reported to 1st Marine Division as a Field Radio operator and was subsequently selected to attend indoctrination for 1st Reconnaissance Company. He served as a Team Radio Operator, Platoon Radio Operator, and Company Radio Chief. He Latmoved to Reconnaissance Marine (0321) following his first enlistment.
As a Reconnaissance Marine, he served as a Team Radio Operator, Assistant Team Leader, Team Leader, Platoon Sergeant, and Company Operations Chief. He deployed five times in support of training and military operations overseas. His training and combat deployments include Operations in Panama, East Timor, Kuwait, and Iraq.
In March 2007, he was selected for the Marine Security Guard Program. After successful completion of the Detachment Commanders Course 3-07, he served as Detachment Commander at US Embassies Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, Muscat, Oman, and Kabul, Afghanistan.
In January 2010, he was transferred to 2D Reconnaissance Battalion. While at 2D Reconnaissance Battalion he served as Platoon Sergeant and Assault Element Leader CHOPed to the 22MEU. Following his selection to First Sergeant, he assumed the duties as Company First Sergeant.
In April 2011, Sergeant Major Smith was awarded the military occupational specialty of 8999 and transferred to 2D Battalion, 10 Marine Regiment. He served as Golf Battery First Sergeant and deployed to Afghanistan in support of operation Enduring freedom 12.1, partnered with Jordanian and Afghan forces at Patrol Base Boldak.
In May of 2013, Sergeant Major Smith was transferred to Bravo Company, 1st Battalion, 24th Marines and served as the Inspector-Instructor First Sergeant.
In November of 2015 Sergeant Major Smith was selected to his current rank and subsequently transferred to Okinawa, Japan in June of 2016 to serve at the MASS-2 Sergeant Major.
In January of 2018 Sergeant Major Smith was transferred to MWSS-172. Following an 18 month assignment as the “Firebirds” Sergeant Major, he was transferred in June of 2019 to Camp Lejeune North Carolina to serve with the 2d Marine Divisions “Ace in the Hole”, 2d Tank Battalion.
Some of his schools include the Marine Combatant Dive School, Military Freefall School, Urban Reconnaissance and Surveillance Course, SERE, and holds an Associate’s Degree in Criminal Justice. Sergeant Major Smith is married to formerly Trisha Mozden, and has three children; Jenna (20), Seth (16) and Cayden (14).