Master Chief Smart was born in Honolulu, Hawaii and raised in Lakeside, California. He enlisted in the United States Navy in April 1997 and completed Basic Training at Naval Recruit Training Command Great Lakes, Illinois. He reported to the Naval Air Technical Training Center in Pensacola, Florida where he graduated from Aviation Structural Mechanic (AM) “A” school.

Master Chief Smart served onboard the USS KITTY HAWK (CV-63) from October 1997 to June 2001, where he quickly qualified as an F/A-18 Servo-cylinder Test Station (STS) technician performing intermediate repair of F/A-18 components. He supported a homeport change from San Diego to Japan in 1998, participating in two deployments earning both his Enlisted Aviation Warfare Specialist (EAWS), Enlisted Surface Warfare Specialist (ESWS) warfare pins.

In June 2001, he reported to Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department at NAS North Island, California where he was responsible for the intermediate repair of aircraft components across multiple platforms. During his tour, he promoted to First Class Petty Officer and later qualifying as a full systems Quality Assurance Representative (QAR).

In June 2004, he reported to the “Stingers” of Strike Fighter Squadron ONE ONE THREE, embarked onboard USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN-74). During this tour, he served as the Airframes Leading Petty Officer, a full systems QAR in addition to earning his Safe for Flight qualification. The squadron later embarked onboard the newly commissioned USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN-76) where he supported two Western Pacific Deployments and two surge deployments resulting in his selection to Chief Petty Officer.

Following a successful tour, Master Chief Smart was assigned to the Dust Devils of VX-31 in 2009, where he assumed the duties as a Contract Oversight Representative Qualifying Safe for Flight in support of 20 uniquely configured test and evaluation F/A-18A-G aircraft and transitioned the EA-18G from the Advanced Weapons Laboratory to contractor maintenance.

In June 2012, he reported to the “Golden Dragons” of Strike Fighter Squadron ONE NINE TWO, embarked onboard the JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN-74) where he served as the Maintenance Control Leading Chief Petty Officer supporting the last Legacy Hornet deployment. He then transitioned the squadron into the F/A-18E Super Hornet resulting in his selection to Senior Chief Petty Officer. During this tour, he was selected as the Carrier Air Wing Nine Flight Deck Coordinator.

In May 2016, he reported to the Lemoore detachment “Grim Reapers” of Strike Fighter Squadron ONE ZERO ONE to prepare Lemoore for the arrival of the Navy’s 5th Generation fighter. During this transition, he was selected as the Command Senior Chief and was instrumental in reactivating Strike Fighter Squadron ONE TWO FIVE, which now serves as the first west-coast based Fleet Replacement Squadron for the F-35C Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter.

In May of 2019, he reported back to the “Stingers” of Strike Fighter Squadron ONE ONE THREE as the Command Master Chief. The squadron serves as an operational fleet F/A-18E squadron attached to Carrier Air Wing Two (CVW-2) and based at NAS Lemoore, California.

Master Chief Smart’s personal awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (four awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (eight awards), Good Conduct Medal (six awards), and is a graduate from the Senior Enlisted Academy Class 207, and the Command Master Chief Class 188.

Last Updated: 22 April 2021