About Russell

Lieutenant Colonel, US Army, Retired, Consultant, Public Speaker, Teacher, Principal, M.Ed., Purple Heart recipient Iraq 04-05, Married 20 yrs, 2 kids.

Russell A. Smith’s military career began on May 23, 1980 when he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps. He served in Company B, 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division. His Army career began in June 1984 when he enlisted in the Army National Guard. He was commissioned through ROTC on May 24, 1986. Russell retired from active duty in the U.S. Army on August 31, 2006. He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel upon retirement. He entered teaching through the “Troops to Teachers” program upon retirement and taught in the public schools in the Oklahoma City area for four years. From 2010 to 2014 he served as National Editor, Purple Heart Magazine for the Military Order of the Purple Heart.

He earned a Masters Degree in Education Administration at the University of Central Oklahoma in 2009. Russell graduated from California State University, Sacramento with a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Government in 1986. He graduated from Del Campo High School in Sacramento, CA in June, 1979 where he was an honor student, 4 year Varsity Letterman, 4 year all- city swimmer, 4 year all-state swimmer, & 3 year NISCA All-American Swimmer. He was undefeated in league competition for four years. He was the head girls and boys Swimming and Diving Coach at Mira Loma High School, in Sacramento, CA from 1985 to 1986. Four of his female swimmers qualified for NISCA All American.

In February 2005, then-Major Smith was medically evacuated to Walter Reed Army Hospital and recovered from wounds he received in action against the enemy while stationed in Baghdad, Iraq. He worked for the Project and Contracting Office, Baghdad, Iraq, where he was assigned to the Iraq reconstruction effort. Then-Major Smith was the Liaison Officer to the 1st Cavalry Division, a certified pay agent for the 1st Cavalry Division, and Liaison Officer to the Civilian Police Advisory Training Team. He returned from Operation Iraqi Freedom on 5 September 2005.

Russell has served as a Fire Team Leader, Squad Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Platoon Leader, Company Commander, & Battalion Commander. He has held numerous staff positions including a tour on the Army National Guard Desert Storm After Action Review Team at the Pentagon as a First Lieutenant. Shortly after, Russell was assigned duties as a Congressional Actions Coordination Officer. In 1996, after commanding a rifle company full-time in south central Los Angeles for two years, he was reassigned to the Pentagon where he served in Department of the Army, Department of Defense, and Joint Chiefs of Staff level staff assignments. In 1999 he assumed duties as the Chief of Training, responsible for oversight of all training matters effecting 16,000 California Army National Guardsmen. Russell also served as the Senior Anti-Terrorism and Security officer, Provost Marshall, Mobilization Officer and Director, Operations, Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security at Camp Roberts, CA. Then-Major Smith volunteered to serve in Operation Iraqi Freedom and deployed on 22 October 2004.

Russell’s military education includes the Command & General Staff Officer Course, Combined Arms Staff Services School (CAS3), the Armor Officer Advanced Course, the Infantry Officer Basic Course, Airborne School, the U.S. Marine Corps Boot Camp, Infantry School, Marine Corps NCO Academy, & Marine Corps Guerilla Warfare Course.

Military Awards and Decorations include: Combat Action Badge, Purple Heart Medal, Basic Parachutist Badge, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation, NATO Training Mission Iraq Medal, and other federal awards and decorations.

Russell and his wife reside in Oklahoma City, OK & have two daughters.