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Marine officer with exceptional accolades nominated for next commandant position

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BNN Correspondents
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Gen. Eric Smith
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Image Credit: DEFENSE DAILY

President Joe Biden has nominated Gen. Eric Smith to be the next Marine Corps commandant, according to the records of the Senate. Smith is currently the assistant commandant and has been involved in transforming the Marine Corps to better fight amphibious wars in the Pacific. He has commanded at every level and served multiple tours in Afghanistan and Iraq. Smith has also worked on recruiting and retention in the Marine Corps and has talked about providing bonuses to retain Marines.

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Who is Gen. Eric Smith?

Smith is a native of Plano, Texas and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1987 through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program at Texas A&M University. During his time at A&M, he was Commander of the Fightin' Texas Aggie Band in the Texas A&M University Corps of Cadets. He has a bachelor's degree in history from Texas A&M University and a master's degree in military art and science from the United States Army Command and General Staff College.

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Smith has a distinguished career as an infantry officer, participating in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm, Operation Assured Response in Liberia, Operation Iraqi Freedom, and Operation Enduring Freedom. He has commanded at every echelon from platoon to division, including 1st Battalion, 5th Marines; 8th Marine Regiment; 1st Marine Division; and III Marine Expeditionary Force. His combat awards include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit, a Bronze Star with a V for combat valor, and a Purple Heart.

Smith has also held several key staff positions, such as the Division Operations Officer of 1st Marine Division; the Naval Section Chief at the U.S. Military Group in Caracas, Venezuela; the Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense; and most recently, the Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration.

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What is Smith's vision for the Marine Corps?

As the Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration, Smith was instrumental in shaping and implementing Force Design 2030, a plan to transform and modernize the Marine Corps for future conflicts against near-peer adversaries like China. The plan involves shedding legacy equipment such as tanks and artillery, investing in new technologies such as drones and anti-ship missiles, and reorganizing the force structure to create smaller, more agile units that can operate across domains.

Smith has also advocated for improving the quality of life and career opportunities for Marines, especially those with critical skills such as cyber warfare and intelligence. He has proposed offering bonuses and incentives to retain Marines who are willing to extend their service or reenlist. He has also emphasized the importance of diversity and inclusion in the Marine Corps, saying that \"we need every single American who wants to serve this nation\".

If confirmed by the Senate, Smith will take over from Gen. David Berger, who is expected to retire later this year after leading the Marine Corps since 2019. Smith will face the challenge of continuing the transformation of the Corps while maintaining its readiness and warfighting spirit.

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Afghanistan Joe Biden Iraq Pacific Transformation Bonuses Retention Marine Corps Commandant Gen Eric Smith Amphibious Wars Recruiting Plano Texas Texas A&amp;M University
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