NAVY COMMENDATION MEDAL FOR ADMIN OFFICER / CHIEF / ADMIN PETTY OFFICER

MERITORIOUS SERVICE AS ADMINISTRATIVE DEPARTMENT LEADING PETTY OFFICER FOR COMMANDER, MINE COUNTERMEASURES DIVISION THREE ONE FROM MARCH 2014 TO APRIL 2017. PETTY OFFICER SMITH OUTSTANDING LEADERSHIP AND SUPERIOR ADMINISTRATIVE EXPERTISE WERE CRITICAL TO THE COMMAND SUCCESSFUL COMPLETION OF 24 MULTI-NATIONAL EXERCISES, INCLUDING TWO MINE COUNTERMEASURES COMMANDER CERTIFICATIONS, IN THE THIRD, FOURTH, FIFTH, SIXTH, AND SEVENTH FLEET AREAS OF OPERATION. HIS INVOLVEMENT AND LEADERSHIP IN VIRTUALLY EVERY COMMAND PROGRAM CANNOT BE OVERSTATED. PETTY OFFICER SMITH INITIATIVE, UNRELENTING PERSEVERANCE AND LOYAL DEVOTION TO DUTY REFLECTED CREDIT UPON HIMSELF AND UPHELD THE HIGHEST TRADITIONS OF THE UNITED STATES NAVAL SERVICE.

For meritorious service in the superior performance of his duties during his tour at Mine Countermeasures Division THREE ONE as Admin Officer, Administrative Department Leading Petty Officer (LPO), Command Career Counselor (CCC), Education Service Officer (ESO), Lead Defense Travel Administrator, Government Credit Card Coordinator, MEDAL Operator, MWR President, Recruit Division Sponsorship Coordinator, NFAAS Coordinator, Command Pass Coordinator, Assistant Security Manager.

Arriving at the command during a gapped billet; YN1 Smith is directly responsible for the development and implementation of nearly every command program. He has consistently displayed exceptional leadership and managerial skills, far surpassing those expected of a First Class Petty Officer.

As Admin Officer and Admin Department LPO; YN1 acted as an independent Yeoman and functioned as COMCMDIV 31’s Admin Officer. During his tour, he expertly managed the production, accuracy, and timeliness of 100 awards, 500 pieces of command correspondence, and 100 Fitness / Evaluation Reports; ensuring that all personnel received the highest quality of work, support, and customer service.

Aside from his duties as Admin Officer, YN1 was heavily involved in virtually every command program.

– He organized and implemented the command Sponsor Program; coordinating and maintaining 100% contact with 32 newly reporting personnel ensuring a smooth and seamless transition into the command and local area.

– As the Command Educational Services Officer (ESO), he was instrumental in the coordination, ordering, and administration of 50 Navy-Wide Advancement Exams over nine exam cycles. As a result of his efforts, advancement within the command increased 15% during his tour.

– As a Command Career Counselor, his efforts led to the first Retention award for MCMDIV three one. He has been a trusted mentor. He routinely advocates and reports changes for Career Waypoints, makes modifications to Selective Reenlistment Bonus (SRB) requirements, and assists his Shipmates in the use of the new Career Navigator Program and Transition programs for separating Sailors. Additionally, with the command SEL, he conducted 24 Career Development Boards (CDB), processed 7 reenlistment requests and coordinated the associated ceremonies.

– As Lead Defense Travel Administrator, he expertly managed the production and completion of 900 sets of cost and no-cost TAD orders, for a travel budget worth $900,000 with 100% accuracy and zero discrepancies.

– In addition he organized and implemented the Recruit Training Command Division Sponsorship Program at COMCMDIV THREE ONE while leading 13 sailors to mentor and train 80 recruits at RTC for a period of eight weeks through for major training milestones.

YN1 Smith is more than just an Administrator. He has also been a leader for the COMCMDIV 31 staff and his community.

– Served as Command MWR president raising 7500 dollars during his tenure and also coordinating two Command Holiday Parties and Two Command Picnics

-Served as a coach and mentor at the Miramar Youth Center as a part of their Sports Program spending over 60 hours with military youth ranging in age from five to twelve. He was instrumental in raising 2000 dollars for the leukemia and lymphoma society while running the Carlsbad Full Marathon to help bring awareness to cancer patients.

Mission Oriented. During his tour, YN1 Smith was hand-picked to serve as a MEDAL Operator to fill in as the Planning cell MEDAL operator for RIMPAC 2014 and RIMPAC 2016. While working outside his rate, he rapidly cross trained, and became a key tactical watchstander and system expert. He was vital to the command mission during various complex multi-national MIW exercises, including VIGILANT SHIELD and UFG which ultimately led to the command successful certification as MCM Commander for Maritime Homeland Defense (MHD).

YN1 Smith dedication to the mission and its personnel along with his skilled leadership led to his selection as COMCMDIV 31 FY15 and FY16 SENIOR SAILOR OF THE YEAR!

YN1 Smith leadership, ingenuity, and ceaseless motivation to succeed have situated him as a deck plate leader and resulted in the highest operational readiness. His dedication to process improvement significantly increased the administrative efficiency of Commander, Mine Countermeasures Division THREE ONE. His departmental improvements resulted in a profound command wide impact on readiness and crew morale.  YN1 Smith expertise and a solid sense of mature leadership served as the finest example of professionalism and dedication to duty in every endeavor. He is most deserving of the recognition afforded by the awarding of the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal.

Navy Commendation Medal for Executive Officer

Lieutenant Commander Smith distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious performance while serving as Executive Officer, Lieutenant Commander Smith distinguished himself by exceptionally meritorious performance while serving as Executive Officer, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Mobile Unit SEVEN(EODMU SEVEN) from February 2012 to September 2013. His exemplary performance, phenomenal leadership and superb guidance greatly enhanced the readiness and mission accomplishment of the command while making tangible contributions to the EOD Community. Sailors under his command delivered full spectrum EOD capabilities in combat and provided remarkable results making impressive contributions to the objectives of NORTHCOM, EUCOM, AFRICOM, CENTCOM, and SOCOM. Specific achievements include:

He deployed battalion headquarters to FIFTHFLT AOR as Deputy Commander, Task Group 56.1/56.9 from February June 2012 ISO Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, maintaining operational control of 120 personnel including Task Group staff, four EOD platoons, one Mobile Diving and Salvage company, one Intelligence Exploitation Team (IET), one Combat Camera detachment and one Maritime Civil Affairs Team (MCAT). CTG 56.1/56.9 mission was to conduct underwater salvage and EOD warfare operations in order to support maritime security, strengthen partnerships, deter disruptive countries, counter violent extremism, conduct intelligence and media operations to mitigate or eliminate regional threats and positively influence regional governments and populations in the C5F AOR.

– He provided expert operational leadership, planning and mentorship in the areas of Counter Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED), Underwater Mine Countermeasures (UMCM), Anti-terrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP) Diving, Theater Security Cooperation (TSC), and Underwater Salvage And Ships Husbandry (UWSH) diving. Total dive operations included: 572 local AT/FP dives, 38 AT/FP fly-away dives, 66 ship husbandry dives, and 101 other dives, totaling over 387 hours of bottom time.

– Coordinated interoperability training with Bahraini Ministry of Interior (MOI) facilitating vital information exchanges and fostering relationships critical to gaining information on local civil unrest and bomb-making capabilities. This crucial training directly affected security postures and measures employed by COMUSNAVCENT.

– Orchestrated emergent repair services for USS MOMSEN (DDG 92) damaged Controllable Pitch Propeller in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This repair was the first ever waterborne removal and capping flange installation, saving the U.S. Navy $1.4M and allowed MOMSEN to remain in theater to continue its vital operational mission in C5F AOR

– As COMUSNAVCENT UMCM Deputy Mission Commander, CTU 52.1.3, his role in two international exercises provided C2 of US and UK UMCM forces, providing timely and accurate information to the overall MCM Commander. Additionally, he developed a concept of operations (CONOP) for C5F response to multiple floating mines in the Arabian Gulf. The CONOPS was approved as the way ahead to clear multiple floating mines.

– He spearheaded a landmark waiver request procedure for EOD Technicians who sustained catastrophic injuries during combat operations to return to operational duty. This process provided the Bureau of Naval Medicine and Navy Personnel Command concise recommendations which led to a successful approval for EOD1 Miller to return to operational duty. As a result, his procedure has become the standard for other mobile units to emulate.

– Led EOD MCM Force Working Group. His mission analysis of the current EOD UMCM operational construct, UMCM diving operations, underwater mine threat, and current technologies became the driving force for moving Navy EOD away from their current UMCM diving system and toward a safer and more effective dive system.

– In addition to managing operational requirements for his forces abroad, he provided VIPSSA and USS support to over 92 missions including the Democratic and Republican National Conventions and the United Nations General Assembly.

– He aggressively oversaw all aspects of training, Final Evaluation Phase certification and professional development for platoons assigned to Special Operations Forces, Mobile and Mine Countermeasures, and Carrier Strike Groups. Under LCDR Smith leadership, the command conducted over 560 realistic drill scenarios, over 1615 SCUBA and mixed gas dives and completed over 1,660 Navy Mission Essential Task List grade sheets.

– Provided 20 manned, trained and equipped EOD platoons to five different combatant commanders covering over 14 countries.

Lieutenant Commander Smith leadership and extraordinary professional acumen is directly responsible for the success of EODMU SEVEN Sailors both in garrison and deployed in arduous and demanding combat environments. EODMU SEVEN and its Sailors directly reduced the viability and capacity of insurgent forces and networks, improving the security and stability of our Nation overseas contingency operations. His truly remarkable and impressive performance, displayed under challenging conditions, is worthy of the recognition afforded by award of the Navy Commendation Medal.

from February 2012 to September 2013. His exemplary performance, phenomenal leadership and superb guidance greatly enhanced the readiness and mission accomplishment of the command while making tangible contributions to the EOD Community. Sailors under his command delivered full spectrum EOD capabilities in combat and provided remarkable results making impressive contributions to the objectives of NORTHCOM, EUCOM, AFRICOM, CENTCOM and SOCOM. Specific achievements include:

– He deployed battalion headquarters to FIFTHFLT AOR as Deputy Commander, Task Group 56.1/56.9 from February June 2012 ISO Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, maintaining operational control of 120 personnel including Task Group staff, four EOD platoons, one Mobile Diving and Salvage company, one Intelligence Exploitation Team (IET), one Combat Camera detachment and one Maritime Civil Affairs Team (MCAT). CTG 56.1/56.9 mission was to conduct underwater salvage and EOD warfare operations in order to support maritime security, strengthen partnerships, deter disruptive countries, counter violent extremism, conduct intelligence and media operations to mitigate or eliminate regional threats and positively influence regional governments and populations in the C5F AOR.

– He provided expert operational leadership, planning and mentorship in the areas of Counter Improvised Explosive Device (C-IED), Underwater Mine Countermeasures (UMCM), Anti-terrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP) Diving, Theater Security Cooperation (TSC), and Underwater Salvage And Ships Husbandry (UWSH) diving. Total dive operations included: 572 local AT/FP dives, 38 AT/FP fly-away dives, 66 ship husbandry dives, and 101 other dives, totaling over 387 hours of bottom time.

– Coordinated interoperability training with Bahraini Ministry of Interior (MOI) facilitating vital information exchanges and fostering relationships critical to gaining information on local civil unrest and bomb-making capabilities. This crucial training directly affected security postures and measures employed by COMUSNAVCENT.

– Orchestrated emergent repair services for USS MOMSEN (DDG 92) damaged Controllable Pitch Propeller in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). This repair was the first ever waterborne removal and capping flange installation, saving the U.S. Navy $1.4M and allowed MOMSEN to remain in theater to continue its vital operational mission in C5F AOR

– As COMUSNAVCENT UMCM Deputy Mission Commander, CTU 52.1.3, his role in two international exercises provided C2 of US and UK UMCM forces, providing timely and accurate information to the overall MCM Commander. Additionally, he developed a concept of operations (CONOP) for C5F response to multiple floating mines in the Arabian Gulf. The CONOPS was approved as the way ahead to clear multiple floating mines.

– He spearheaded a landmark waiver request procedure for EOD Technicians who sustained catastrophic injuries during combat operations to return to operational duty. This process provided the Bureau of Naval Medicine and Navy Personnel Command concise recommendations which led to a successful approval for EOD1 Smith to return to operational duty. As a result, his procedure has become the standard for other mobile units to emulate.

– Led EOD MCM Force Working Group. His mission analysis of the current EOD UMCM operational construct, UMCM diving operations, underwater mine threat, and current technologies became the driving force for moving Navy EOD away from their current UMCM diving system and toward a safer and more effective dive system.

– In addition to managing operational requirements for his forces abroad, he provided VIPSSA and USS support to over 92 missions including the Democratic and Republican National Conventions and the United Nations General Assembly.

– He aggressively oversaw all aspects of training, Final Evaluation Phase certification and professional development for platoons assigned to Special Operations Forces, Mobile and Mine Countermeasures, and Carrier Strike Groups. Under LCDR Smith leadership, the command conducted over 560 realistic drill scenarios, over 1615 SCUBA and mixed gas dives and completed over 1,660 Navy Mission Essential Task List grade sheets.

– Provided 20 manned, trained and equipped EOD platoons to five different combatant commanders covering over 14 countries.

Lieutenant Commander Smith leadership and extraordinary professional acumen is directly responsible for the success of EODMU SEVEN Sailors both in garrison and deployed in arduous and demanding combat environments. EODMU SEVEN and its Sailors directly reduced the viability and capacity of insurgent forces and networks, improving the security and stability of our Nation overseas contingency operations. His truly remarkable and impressive performance, displayed under challenging conditions, is worthy of the recognition afforded by award of the Navy Commendation Medal.