Gunnery Sergeant Clayton Smith

Gunnery Sergeant Smith enlisted in the Marine Corps on 1 October 2010 and underwent recruit training at 2nd Recruit Training Battalion, Echo Company, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA.

In February of 2011, Private Smith completed Marine Combat Training at The School of Infantry Camp Pendleton, CA. He then received orders to Fort Bliss, TX where he attended the Basic Low Altitude Air Defense Gunner School. Upon graduation in June 2011, he received orders to 2d Low Altitude Air Defense (LAAD) Battalion, Marine Air Control Group 28, 2d Marine Aircraft Wing, Cherry Point, NC.

In March 2012, he was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal, where he served as Team Leader. In October 2012, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal, where he served as a Section Leader. In August 2014, he was promoted to the rank of Sergeant, where he served as the Battery Training NCO.

In October 2014, Sergeant Smith received orders to Drill Instructor School class 3-15, Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California. Upon graduating Drill Instructor School Sergeant Smith was assigned to third Recruit Training Battalion, Company I, where he served in the billet of Drill Instructor. In March of 2016, Sergeant Smith was sent to Support Battalion, Instructional Training Battalion, where he served as a Marine Corps Instructor Trainer of Water Survival. Along with working in the Swim Tank Sergeant Smith was handpicked to represent Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego as the Depot Color Guard. In March of 2017, Sergeant Smith reported back to Company I, where he served as a Drill Instructor and Senior Drill Instructor.

In June 2018, Sergeant Smith was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant. In July 2018 Staff Sergeant Smith received orders back to 2d LAAD Battalion. Staff Sergeant Smith was assigned to Alpha Battery where he served as Platoon Sergeant.

In May 2019 Staff Sergeant Smith received Temporary Additional Orders to the Marine Air Control Group (MACG) 28 detachment for the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU). During this deployment Staff Sergeant Smith conducted 12 Defense of the Amphibious Task Force Upon return from the 26th MEU Staff Sergeant Smith returned to 2d LAAD Bn, Battery A to fill the role of Assistant Battery Ops Chief.

In March 2021, Staff Sergeant Smith was assigned to the NROTC at the University of Wisconsin where he currently serves as the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor. In February 2022, Staff Sergeant Smith was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant.

Personal Decorations: Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal with gold star in Lieu of third Award.

Hobbies, sports and interests: Weightlifting, Wake Boarding, Baseball, Football, Boating