Biography



Colonel (Ret.) W. Thomas Smith, Jr.
δούλος του Ιησού Χριστού

MILITARY TECHNICAL CONSULTANT, writer and editor W. Thomas Smith, Jr. is a recognized expert in matters of national defense; primarily special operations, counterterrorism, amphibious operations, unconventional warfare and conventional ground combat. His work has appeared in countless publications, including U.S. News & World Report, USA Today, GEORGE magazine, The Associated Press, The New York Post, Business Week, Investor’s Business Daily, Marine Corps Times, S.W.A.T. magazine, Police magazine, Police One, Black Belt magazine, Deutsche Welle, Israel National News, Human Events, The Daily Caller, Association of the U.S. Army magazine, American Greatness, American Legion, CBS News, The Christian Post, many others.

Smith is a formerly deployed U.S. MARINE RIFLE SQUAD (Infantry) LEADER, a nuclear security and counterterrorism instructor, and a tactical (SWAT) team officer in the nuclear industry. He is also a retired colonel (O-6) in the S.C. Military Dept. where he founded and directed the department’s first-ever counterterrorism task force which evolved into the U.S. Counterterrorism Advisory Team.

INTERRELATED: Smith is a military technical consultant for films airing on The Military Channel and E! Entertainment Television. As a military analyst, Smith has appeared on THE FOX NEWS CHANNEL and NEWSMAX. He is an author; columnist; New York Times bestselling editor (also a USA Today and Washington Post bestselling editor); founding partner of NATIONAL DEFENSE CONSULTANTS, LLC; the national director of the U.S. Counterterrorism Advisory Team; and he served on the Homeland Security Subcommittee of the S.C. Public Health Preparedness Advisory Committee. Smith is also a former national security advisor for presidential candidate Rick Santorum, and a former advisor to the S.C. Governor’s Military Base Task Force. Smith served as an adjunct professor at the University of South Carolina (his alma mater, BA History, 1982). He is a former instructor at Columbia College and an instructor at the Northeast Columbia Arts Academy. He was the media relations director for the 2010 MEDAL OF HONOR NATIONAL CONVENTION in Charleston, S.C. and the convention’s ‘program book’ editorial director.

SOUTH CAROLINA FLOODWATER COMMISSION: Smith serves on the executive leadership team of the National Security Task Force, S.C. Floodwater Commission. The S.C. Floodwater Commission was established by Governor Henry McMaster in 2018.

RCSD: Smith is a special deputy sheriff with the Richland County Sheriff’s Department (RCSD) in S.C., dually reporting to both Sheriff Leon Lott ― the 2021 National Sheriff of the Year ― and RCSD’s public information office where Smith is responsible for national media and special projects. He has directly participated in several special operations with the Midlands Gang Task Force, and he serves as director of RCSD’s Elder Abuse Awareness Team. He also serves as editorial director of the department’s official magazine, THE DEPUTY, serving nearly 1,000 RCSD employees and nearly 200 retirees.


SPEECHWRITER: As a speechwriter, Smith has composed speeches and written other prepared remarks for state legislators, flag and general-officers, Medal of Honor recipients, and members of Congress (his prepared remarks having been delivered on the floor of the U.S. Congress).

COMBATING POST-TRAUMATIC STRESS DISORDER: In 2018, Smith created a PTSD informational one-pager using emojis and text to simply describe post-traumatic stress disorder. Developed for RCSD, the sheet has been regularly published in the department’s official magazine, and it has since been used by mental health professionals at the VA medical facility in Columbia, S.C., as well as myriad military veterans organizations. Smith’s work was referenced in the New York City Police Department’s (NYPD) 2019 report on officer wellness and safety.  In 2020, the story of Smith’s PTSD sheet was featured in POLICEONE [see here], one of the premier law-enforcement publications in the nation. In 2021, Smith’s PTSD sheet became the centerpiece of POLICE2PEACE’s nationwide PTSD training [see here], with his one-page document forwarded to ― for use by ― 3,000 sheriffs’ offices and 14,000 police departments across the U.S., including large metropolitan police departments like NYPD and LAPD.

A VETERAN WAR CORRESPONDENT: Smith has covered war and armed conflict across the Balkans and throughout the Middle East [Author and former White House advisor Dick Morris discusses work of W. Thomas Smith Jr. ― Listen here].

PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION: Smith has been awarded multiple times for counterterrorism activities and honored on four separate occasions by four different recipients of the Medal of Honor. Aside from his military decorations and other military and civilian awards, Smith is a recipient of two S.C. Senate commendations, a U.S. Army North (U.S. 5th Army) commendation, an Honorary BLACK BELT, and the Richland County Sheriff’s Department’s 2018 CIVILIAN OF THE YEAR award. Smith is an IRONMAN, an award presented by Global Eco Adventures. He is a recipient of the ORDER OF SAINT MAURICE (Centurion level), a national infantry award. He is also a recipient of the Palmetto Patriot Award, the highest award presented by the lieutenant governor of S.C. And he is a recipient of the ORDER OF THE PALMETTO, the highest honor awarded by the State of South Carolina and presented by the governor [see awards and honors below].

CHURCH: Smith is an ordained Presbyterian deacon (both PCA and ARP). He has served as a Bible study group leader, facilitating both in-church men’s groups and leading-and-teaching homeless men’s groups outside of church. He is a Sunday School teacher, past-president of his Sunday School class, former usher captain, and former director of his church’s special needs class among other church responsibilities. Smith is also founding director of Always Faithful Outreach, a Christian ministry reaching out to the homeless and others in need [see Faith page].

BOARDS AND COUNCILS: Smith serves or has served on numerous boards and advisory councils, including the board of directors of the S.C. Athletic Hall of Fame, the S.C. Military Hall of Fame, the S.C. Black Belt Hall of Fame, the S.C. Military Support Foundation, the S.C. National Guard Youth Challenge Academy, the advisory board for the Gateway to the Army Association, and many others. In 2024, Smith was appointed to the board of directors for CRIME STOPPERS GLOBAL SOLUTIONS, the international arm of Crime Stoppers USA. He is a life member of the National Infantry Association and a life member of the Association of the United States Army. He also serves on the Blue Ribbon Committee (advisory council) for the United States Marine Corps Film Repository ― a partnership between the University of South Carolina Libraries and the Marine Corps University History Division.


“W. Thomas Smith Jr. is one of the nation’s premier counterterrorism and special operations experts.”
— Medal of Honor recipient John Baker

“One of the nation’s top counterterrorism experts.”
— The Associated Press

“One of the nation’s premier military technical consultants and counterterrorism experts.”
— WPIX-TV (CW PIX 11 NEWS), New York, NY

“A military expert.”
— USA TODAY

“A military analyst with expertise in special operations and amphibious and ground warfare.”
— The State newspaper

“A sterling U.S. Marine infantry leader and incisive counterterrorism expert with both deployed USMC service and, later as a civilian military analyst, front-line combat experience in the Iraq War and elsewhere. The vast scope of his service is reflected in his extensive, distinguished, reputable body of work.”
— Col. Steve Vitali, U.S. Marine Corps (Ret.), commander of U.S. and foreign forces in Iraq and Afghanistan

“W. Thomas Smith, Jr. is a proven Marine infantry leader, an acclaimed military expert, and so much more. His work also as a writer and editor is frankly the best I’ve seen.”
— Writer, actor, producer, world-champion martial artist Keith Vitali

“W. Thomas Smith, Jr. is a military and defense expert.”
— Author, columnist, Middle East expert Dr. Walid Phares

“Easily one of the nation’s premier counterterrorism experts and Shia extremism analysts.”
— Ops Lens magazine

“W. Thomas Smith, Jr. is the top go-to guy for military analysis. His core values of duty, honor and integrity make him one of the most respected military experts in the field today.”
— New York Times bestselling author and three-time Emmy winner Rita Cosby

“W. Thomas Smith, Jr. is one tenaciously tough and brilliant Marine infantry leader.”
— Dr. Tom Mullikin, South Carolina Floodwater Commission chairman

“A Lion among Men. … He stands on a wall that makes us all safer. Much respect.”
— Bruce Brutschy, South Carolina Black Belt Hall of Fame inductee

“W. Thomas Smith, Jr. has a rare understanding of the military and its unique culture that reflects strongly in his work.”
— Beth Zimmerman, editor, Marine Corps Times

“W. Thomas Smith, Jr. is a known quantity in the critical world of military writing where experience and credibility count.  His training as a Marine and following service as a ground combat leader give him the essential heft often lacking in a journalistic world where prose often poses for substance.”
— Col. (Ret.) John W. Ripley, U.S. Marine Corps

[EDITORIAL NOTE: The late Col. Ripley was the legendary commander of both U.S. and Royal Marines, who is best known for single-handedly blowing up the Dong Ha bridge in Vietnam thus blunting the North Vietnamese Army’s Easter Offensive 1972.]

The executive leadership team of the National Security Task Force, SCFC, at
the S.C. State House (L-R – Col. Steve Vitali, Smith, and Col. Bill Connor).


W. THOMAS SMITH JR. — AWARDS AND HONORS

  • Order of the Palmetto ― S.C.’s highest award presented by Governor Henry D. McMaster
  • Order of St. Maurice (Centurion) ― National Infantry Assoc. and the U.S. Army Chief of Infantry *
  • Palmetto Patriot ― S.C. Lieutenant Governor’s highest award
  • Two (2) SOUTH CAROLINA SENATE commendations
  • U.S. ARMY NORTH (U.S. Fifth Army) commendation
  • Maj. Gen. James E. Livingston Award ― presented by Col. Charles Murray, Medal of Honor recipient
  • Honorary Black Belt ― presented by the S.C. Black Belt (Martial Arts) Hall of Fame
  • Kempo Blood SAMURAI sword ― presented by members of the S.C. Black Belt Hall of Fame
  • Honorary Green Beret ― presented by the U.S. Army Special Forces Association
  • Richland County Sheriff’s Dept. Deputy of the Quarter
  • Richland County Sheriff’s Dept. Civilian of the Year 2018
  • Richland County Sheriff’s Award for Community Service
  • IRONMAN ― presented by Global Eco Adventures and the S.C. National Heritage Corridor
  • U.S. Counterterrorism Advisory Team Combatants Cross ― presented by MSGT John Baker, Medal of Honor recipient
  • U.S. Counterterrorism Advisory Team William Barret Travis Award for Valor
  • Salvation Army Bellringer Commendation Award 2022 **
  • Special Honoree ― Carolina Celebration of Liberty 2023

* Smith was formally presented the Order of St. Maurice by Senator Thomas Alexander, president of the S.C. Senate, during an award ceremony held on the floor of the Senate, S.C. State House,  May 25, 2022.

** Smith was formally presented the Salvation Army Bellringer Commendation Award (for his years of outreach and service) by the Salvation Army of the Midlands at the S.C. State House, Nov. 21, 2022.

FOREIGN HONORS

  • French Fourragère for service in 5th Marines
  • Honorary Ranger in the Republic of Korea Marine Corps
  • Honorary Soldier in the Lebanese Cedars Revolution
  • Lebanese Armed Forces crest ― presented by commander-in-chief Lebanese Armed Forces (future president of Lebanon)

MILITARY DECORATIONS

  • Secretary of the Navy’s Commendation Medal for Achievement (aka Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal) for “exceptional leadership” in nuclear security and counterterrorism activities
  • Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal
  • Korea Defense Medal
  • Sea Service Deployment Ribbon
  • Air Force Training Ribbon
  • S.C. National Guard Meritorious Service Medal
  • State Merit Ribbon
  • State Service Ribbon
  • Joint Services Det. Meritorious Service Medal
  • Washington Light Infantry Medal
  • State Meritorious Service Medal (two awards)
  • State Volunteer Service Ribbon
  • Cold War Service Medal
  • Guard Life Ribbon

MILITARY, PARAMILITARY, AND OTHER QUALIFICATION BADGES-EMBLEMS

  • U.S. Marine Corps emblem
  • U.S. Army parachutist wings
  • U.S. Marine Corps Rifle Expert badge
  • U.S. Marine Corps Pistol Expert badge
  • Royal Laotian Airborne Corps parachutist wings
  • Special Deputy Sheriff’s badge – Richland County Sheriff’s Dept.
  • Military Emergency Management Specialist badge
  • U.S. Counterterrorism Advisory Team pin
  • RAIDER pin

ADDITIONAL MILITARY SKILLS QUALIFICATIONS-TRNG

  • FBI close-quarters combat training, Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek, VA
  • U.S. Secret Service close-quarters combat training, NAB Little Creek, VA
  • USMC Force Recon facilitated amphibious raid training, NAB Coronado, CA
  • USMC nuclear security and counterterrorism training (instructor qualified ― Smith developed and led training for shipboard sailors, Marines, and submarine crews in port and at sea)
  • USMC Mountain Warfare School, Bridgeport, CA
  • USMC Amphibious Raid School, NAB Coronado, CA
  • USMC Sea School (preparatory training for Marine Detachment), MCB San Diego, CA
  • USMC Infantry Training School, MCB Camp Pendleton, CA
  • USMC Recruit Training, MCRD Parris Island, S.C.
  • Republic of Korea (ROK) Marine Corps Mountain Warfare/ROK Ranger School, Muchuk, Korea
  • U.S. Army Airborne training (jump school), Fort Benning, GA

SMITH’S OTHER MILITARY AND PARAMILITARY AWARDS

  • HONORMAN (first in his class) ― Armed Response Force SWAT Team training, V.C. Summer Nuclear Station
  • HONORMAN (first in his class) ― Nuclear Security Force training, V.C. Summer Nuclear Station
  • U.S. Army Special Forces Antiterrorism/Force Protection (AT/FP) Qualification Course, Level II Standards, with Level III Authorized (in conjunction with intelligence overview)
  • U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security qualifications, including FEMA National Incident Management System qualification and FEMA “Active Shooter” response qualification
  • Francis Marion Achievement Award
  • miscellaneous military and civilian honors




    Smith receiving a Quilt of Valor (2019); Smith and the PTSD one-pager at RCSD (2019); Smith with MEDAL OF HONOR recipient Maj. Gen. Jim Livingston, USMC (2017); Smith with statuette of the Angel Gabriel presented by the S.C. National Heritage Corridor–National Park Service (2021); Smith after receiving the Salvation Army Bellringer Commendation Award (2022); and Smith as ‘Special Honoree’ during Carolina Celebration of Liberty (2023).

 

 

 

 

 

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