Passing of CSM (ret) Ricky Smith

Command Sergeant Major (Ret) Ricky E. Smith passed away on July 25th, 2022, peacefully in his home in El Paso Texas. His battle with cancer showed his courage in facing life challenges with a smile. Despite all odds Rick came out a hero and stayed strong until the end.

Ricky E. Smith was born in Ann Arbor, Michigan on 14 June 1954. Command Sergeant Major (Ret) Smith enlisted in the Army in July 1974. Following Basic andAdvanced Training, he was assigned to the 2nd Battalion 508th (ABN) Infantry, 82nd (ABN) Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Following into 3rd and 7th Special Forces Group (ABN) and United States Army Special Warfare Center and School in Fort Bragg, North Carolina; 2nd and 3rd BN 1st Special Forces Group (ABN) in Fort Lewis, Washington; 1st BN Special Forces Group (ABN) Okinawa, Japan; Yongsan, South Korea; and Fort Bliss, Texas.

During his Army service, CSM Smith served in every Leadership position from Fire Team leader to Platoon Sergeant in the 82nd ABN DIV, Senior Weapons Sergeant, Assistant Operations Sergeant, Team Sergeant, Battalion Operation Sergeant Major, Company Sergeant Major, Command Sergeant Major for a Joint Combined Theater Command, Command Sergeant Major for a classified Theater Command, United States Army Sergeants Major Academy Instructor, and as the Director, Directorate of Training and Doctrine at the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, Fort Bliss, Texas.

Command Sergeant Major (Ret) Smith’s formal education includes BS In Business Administration, and Associates Degree in Liberal Arts. He is also a graduate of the Basic Noncommissioned Officers Courses, Advanced Noncommissioned Officers Course, (IOBC) Course, and the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, Class 46.

Awards and decorations which Command Sergeant Major (Ret) Smith has received include the Legion of Merit (with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster), the Meritorious Service Medal (with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Commendation Medal (Oak Leaf Cluster), the Army Achievement Medal (with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters), the Army Good Conduct Medal (Ninth Award), the National Defense Service Medal (with Bronze star), NCO Professional Development Ribbon (with #4), the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, the Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Tour Ribbon (with #2), the NATO Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Master Parachute Badge, the Military Freefall Jumpmaster Badge, the Expert Infantry Badge, Special Forces Tab, Jungle Expert Badge and 7 Foreign Jump Wings.

Command Sergeant Major (Ret) Smith was responsible for The Army Noncommissioned Officer Guide (FM 6-22.7) from start to finish in Oct 2002. The First NCO to have such responsibilities and Leadership.

Upon his retirement Ricky settled in and made El Paso home. He enjoyed golfing, marksmanship, boating and fishing, traveling, RV’ing, Western reenactment, Oktoberfest (CSM Weitzenbier), enjoying military associations, and most of all the company of his family.
br> Ricky is preceded in death by his father Jimmy Smith. Ricky is survived by his wife of 27 years, Linda Smith; Mothers, Catherine Brokaw, Betty Smith; Son, Andreas Burt and wife Marilyn; Daughters, Michaela Stephens and husband Steve, Christy Klinger and husband Brent, Barbara Grummert and husband Corey; Sisters Candy Carter, Penny Silvers, and Cindy Waters; Brothers, Michael Smith, Herbie Beasley, and Christopher Cook; 6 grandchildren; 1 great grandson. Rick will be missed by Miss V & Max, who laid by his side until his very last day.