Vorlage:Infobox military person Eric M. Smith is a United States Marine Corps general who serves as the 36th assistant commandant of the Marine Corps since 8 October 2021. He most recently served as the deputy commandant for Combat Development and Integration, being succeeded by Karsten Heckl.^[1][2]

Eric Smith is from Plano, Texas. Smith was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps in 1987 through the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps program at Texas A&M University.

After completing The Basic School and Infantry Officer's Course, he received assignment to 2nd Battalion, 3rd Marines as rifle platoon commander participating in Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Following a tour as an Officer Selection Officer, he attended the Amphibious Warfare School and then reported to 2nd Battalion, 2nd Marines for duty as Commanding Officer of Weapons and E Companies. During this tour he participated in Operation Assured Response in Monrovia, Liberia. After a tour as a Marine Officer Instructor at Texas A&M University, he attended the United States Army Command and General Staff College. The following assignment was as the Naval Section Chief at the U.S. Military Group in Caracas, Venezuela from 2001–2003.

From 2003 until 2006, Smith served in the 1st Marine Division as the Division Operations Officer; Executive Officer of Regimental Combat Team 1; Commanding Officer of 1st Battalion, 5th Marines. During this time, had several deployments to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, including to Ramadi in 2005. He has also served in the 2nd Marine Division as the Assistant Chief of Staff and the Commanding Officer of 8th Marine Regiment, which was deployed to Afghanistan and was involved in Operation Enduring Freedom. From July to November 2015, he commanded the Marine Corps Forces Southern Command in Miami, Florida. Then he was transferred to the Pentagon to serve as the Senior Military Assistant to the Secretary of Defense.^[3][4]

As a major general, Smith assumed command of the First Marine Division at Camp Pendleton.^[5] The division is part of the larger I Marine Expeditionary Force.^[6] As commander, he led a hazing crackdown but was rebuked by a military judge.^[7]

In May 2018, Smith was nominated for promotion to lieutenant general,^[8] and assignment as commanding general of III Marine Expeditionary Force.^[9] He received his promotion and assumed command of III MEF in August 2018.^[10]

Smith has also participated in Operation Assured Response in Liberia.^[11]

On 13 June 2019, Smith assumed responsibility as the Commanding General, Marine Corps Combat Development Command and the Deputy Commandant for Combat Development and Integration.

In July 2021, he was nominated and confirmed for promotion to four-star general and assignment as Assistant Commandant of the Marine Corps, succeeding Gary L. Thomas.^[12] He assumed the position from the retiring Gary L. Thomas on October 8, 2021.

U.S. military decorations Defense Distinguished Service Medal with one bronze oak leaf cluster Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal with Combat Distinguishing Device and one gold award star Purple Heart Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two award stars Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with award star Combat Action Ribbon with gold award star U.S. Unit Awards Joint Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster Navy Unit Commendation with two bronze service stars Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation U.S. Service (Campaign) Medals and Service and Training Ribbons National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star Southwest Asia Service Medal with two bronze campaign stars Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two service stars Iraq Campaign Medal with service star Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal Global War on Terrorism Service Medal Armed Forces Service Medal Humanitarian Service Medal Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with silver service star Navy and Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon with bronze service star Marine Corps Recruiting Service Ribbon NATO Medal for service with ISAF Kuwait Liberation Medal (Saudi Arabia) Kuwait Liberation Medal (Kuwait)

U.S. badges, patches and tabs Parachutist Badge Rifle Expert Badge (5th award) Pistol Expert Badge (5th award) Office of the Secretary of Defense Identification Badge

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1. ↑ General Officer Announcements. In: U.S. Department of Defense. 9. April 2019, abgerufen am 1. Juni 2019. 
2. ↑ PN596 — Lt. Gen. Eric M. Smith — Marine Corps. In: U.S. Congress. 23. Mai 2019, abgerufen am 1. Juni 2019. 
3. ↑ Previous Assignments. 24. Juni 2017; abgerufen im 1. Januar 1. 
4. ↑ Smith, M Eric. Abgerufen im 1. Januar 1 
5. ↑ Storied 1st Marine Division Gets New Commander. 24. Juni 2017, abgerufen am 2. März 2018. 
6. ↑ First Marine Division. Abgerufen am 3. März 2018. 
7. ↑ 16 marines separated for hazing. Abgerufen am 18. März 2018. 
8. ↑ PN1913 — Maj. Gen. Eric M. Smith — Marine Corps. In: U.S. Congress. 7. Mai 2018, abgerufen am 18. Mai 2018. 
9. ↑ General Officer Announcements. In: U.S. Department of Defense. 8. Mai 2018, abgerufen am 18. Mai 2018. 
10. ↑ III MEF bids farewell to Nicholson, welcomes Smith as new commanding general. In: Defense Visual Information Distribution Service. 2. August 2018, abgerufen am 2. August 2018. 
11. ↑ Lieutenant General Eric M. Smith Commanding General, III Marine Expeditionary Force; and Commander, Marine Forces Japan. Marines, abgerufen am 15. September 2018. 
12. ↑ PN818 — Lt. Gen. Eric M. Smith — Marine Corps. In: U.S. Congress. Abgerufen am 14. Juli 2021.