Biography
Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1
Sergeant Major Eric M. Smack

Sergeant Major (SgtMaj) Smack, the son of a Marine, is a native of Hamilton, Ohio. He enlisted in the Marine Corps on 10 July 2000 and attended Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) Parris Island, South Carolina. Upon completion, he attended Marine Combat Training, Camp Geiger, North Carolina and then proceeded to Field Artillery Cannoneer Course, Fort Sill, Oklahoma where he received the Military Occupational Specialty of 0811. 
 
SgtMaj Smack, assigned to 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines, deployed as a Cannoneer in support of the Unit Deployment Program (UDP), providing humanitarian assistance in East Timor. Later, as a Howitzer Section Chief, he deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF). After re-deploying in support of OIF II, as a Provisional Infantryman, SgtMaj Smack successfully led over 40 combat patrols as a squad leader in Al-Anbar Providence and was the recipient of the Sergeant Connell Leadership Award.
 
SgtMaj Smack attended Drill Instructor (DI) School at MCRD San Diego, California and was assigned to Company L, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion. SgtMaj Smack served in the billets of Experienced DI and Senior DI; he also served as a Field Instructor and Color Guard Sergeant for Weapons and Field Training Battalion, Edson Range, Camp Pendleton, California. After completing his special duty assignment, SgtMaj Smack was assigned to 1st Battalion, 12th Marines as a Platoon Sergeant during combat operations in Al Anbar Providence, Iraq as Task Force Military Police and as a Provisional Infantry Platoon Leader during combat operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) in Kajaki, Afghanistan.
 
Upon returning from OEF, SgtMaj Smack was selected to serve as a DI for Naval Officer Candidate School in Newport, Rhode Island. During this duty, SgtMaj Smack served in the billets of Class DI, Regimental Physical Training Coordinator, and Regimental Drill Master. After completing his special duty assignment, SgtMaj Smack was assigned to 3d Battalion, 11th Marines as the Unit Senior Enlisted Leader (USEL) and was the recipient of the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara. SgtMaj Smack, assigned as a Battery Gunnery Sergeant, deployed in support of UDP operations that included the Artillery Relocation and Korean Marine Exchange training programs.
 
SgtMaj Smack was assigned to 2d Supply Battalion, Combat Logistics Regiment 25 as the USEL. During this time, he was selected to attend the Army Sergeants Major Course, Class 71. After graduating, with honors, SgtMaj Smack was assigned to Marine Air Control Squadron 4, Marine Air Control Group 18 as the USEL. He was then assigned as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader (CSEL) for 3d Landing Support Battalion. During this assignment, SgtMaj Smack deployed in support of joint and multi-national exercises to South Korea, as well as to Thailand and the Philippines as the CSEL for Combat Logistics Regiment 3. SgtMaj Smack is currently serving as the CSEL for Marine Wing Headquarters Squadron 1.
 
Sergeant Major Smack's personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal with (1) gold star, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with (2) gold stars, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with (3) gold stars and distinguishing device, and the combat action ribbon with (1) gold star. He earned his Associate of Applied Science degree in Business, with honors, from Columbia Southern University.