Gen. Eric Smith, handcuffed by Sen. Tommy Tuberville’s promotion blockade, charts a steady, careful path to ready his Marines for America’s next major conflict.
Smith, as a three-star general, worked closely on the issue with his Navy counterpart, Vice Adm. James Kilby, whose nomination to become the Navy’s next No. 2 officer also is ensnared in Tuberville’s hold. The two are friends who even go fly-fishing together, but Kilby’s recommendation was to shed three more amphibious ships and apply the financial savings to other missions.
“There has never been a time where I said, ‘Am I talking to the real Eric Smith here?’” Kilby said. “The answer is always yes.”Smith, a graduate of Texas A&M University, began his 36-year career at the tail end of the Cold War in 1987. His most formative experiences, he said, occurred in Iraq.In February 2004, he deployed as a staff officer with the 1st Marine Division under the command of then-Maj. Gen.
The commander, then-Col. John Toolan, gave Smith oversight of those on the outskirts of Baghdad, with Toolan leading those farther west. “Rather than being an administrator, he really became a combat leader for the other half of the regiment,” said Toolan, who retired in 2016 as a three-star general.Months later, another tragedy would see Smith briefly take charge of the regiment. On Sept. 14, a 122mm rocket crashed into the office of his new commander, then-Col.
Smith left Iraq a few weeks later, after Nicholson’s replacement arrived, and underwent surgery on his wounded leg. But his time home was short-lived. A few months later, in December 2004, he took charge of an infantry unit, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, with plans to take those troops to the city of Ramadi. By early 2005, it had become perhaps the most violent place in all of Iraq.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
This Quiz Will Totally Expose If You Have More Gen Z Or Gen Alpha EnergySorry Millennials, y'all are basically Boomers now...👀
Read more »
Marines identify pilot killed in crash at Miramar air baseMaj. Andrew Mettler's F/A-18 Hornet fighter went down in a remote part of Marine Corps Air Station Miramar shortly before midnight Thursday
Read more »
OK Zoomer: How Millennial NFL quarterbacks can connect with their Gen Z teammatesWhen older quarterbacks are dealing with the younger generation of the NFL, veterans share the tricks to keeping up with the youngers on and off the football field.
Read more »
Gen. Stanley McChrystal on what would close the divide in AmericaThe retired four-star general says the political divisions tearing apart the very fabric of American society can be healed by bringing together young people towards a common purpose.
Read more »
Mercedes Concept CLA previews next gen EV saloonsA new platform, new look and new interior for Merc's smallest four door - the future's coming fast
Read more »