Sergeant Major Smolak

Sergeant Major, U.S. Army (Retired)

1966-1991

Sergeant Major Smolak was born 6 January 1948, in Auburn, New York./p>

He joined the U.S. Army 27 July 1966, and completed initial training at Fort Dix, New Jersey. His first assignment was as a training clerk, battery clerk and personnel clerk with the 2/44th Pershing Missiles, Fort Sill, Oklahoma. Subsequent assignments include Admin Specialist, Office of the Surgeon, USMACTHAI/JUSMAGTHAI, Bangkok, Thailand; Admin Specialist, USAG, Fort Riley, Kansas; Student, DLIWC, Presidio of Monterey, California; Admin Sergeant, AAG, USMACV, Saigon, Vietnam; Admin Sergeant, DCSLOG USARPAC, Fort Shafter, Hawaii; AFEES Processing NCO, AFEES Hawaii, Honolulu, Hawaii; NCOIC, AFEES Guam, US Naval Station, Guam; Admin Sergeant, U.S. Army 3ROTCR, University of Alabama, Tuscaloosa, Alabama; Assistant IG, Office of the Inspector General, FUSA, Fort Meade, Maryland; First Sergeant, 127th Postal Detachment, Nurnberg, West Germany; Class 29, USASMA; Lesson Author and Instructor, Personnel and Logistics Course, USASMA; and Chief Instructor, Battle Staff Non-Commissioned Officer Course; USASMA. He has served as a training clerk, battery clerk, personnel clerk, clerk typist, administrative specialist, administrative NCO, squad leader, section NCOIC, AFEES processing NCO, AFEES NCOIC, assistant Inspector General, operations NCO, First Sergeant, and instructor/lesson author. His final assignment was the chief training developer and chief instructor for the Battle Staff NCO Course.

His military education includes clerk typist school, language school, NCOES advanced course, inspector general training, the Personnel and Logistics Course, the Battle Staff NCO Course, and USASMA Class 29. Additionally, he has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sociology. He later went on to earn a Dual Master of Arts Degree in Human Resource Development and Management.

His military decorations include the Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (5th Award), Joint Service Commendation Medal (2nd Award), Army Commendation Medal (4th Award), Army Achievement Medal (3rd Award), Good Conduct Medal (8th Award), and Vietnamese Honor Medal - 2nd Class. Other decorations include the National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star, Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon Level 4, Army Service Ribbon, Army Overseas Service Ribbon with 2, Vietnam Campaign Medal with V Device.

Sergeant Major Smolak retired from the Army 31 August 1991. He resides in El Paso, Texas with his wife, Catsy. They were married 28 June 1968. His daughter Natasha, her husband Jimmy and their son Noah live in Horizon City.