Colonel Smarsh is the Chief of Staff of the Naval Postgraduate School. 

The Colonel was commissioned in the Air Force following his graduation from Officer Training School in 1979. His career has encompassed a range of command, staff, and operational assignments.

The Colonel has commanded at the flight, detachment and squadron levels.   As the commander of the 88th Weather Squadron, his unit solved acquisition and natural environmental issues for DoD programs including the B-2, F/A-22, C-17, and Missile Program Offices.  While commanding the 18th Weather Squadron, his unit provided meteorological support to the XVIII Airborne Corps and the 82d Airborne Division.

His staff experience includes serving as the directorate of weather’s chief of plans and deputy for federal and national programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force.  In this position, he coordinated issues between government agencies, DoD, and the intelligence community.   His operational experience includes providing meteorological support to joint operations and contingencies.  He has logged 82 jumps during para-weather operations.  He has meteorological support experience to the space shuttle, bombers, fighters, air-lifters, and rotary wing aircraft. 

EDUCATION:

1979 Bachelor’s degree in meteorology, Florida State University
1987 Master’s degree in business, Boston University
1991 Master’s degree in meteorology, Georgia Institute of Technology
1995 Ph.D in atmospheric chemistry, Georgia Institute of Technology
2003 Master’s degree in strategic studies, Air War College

ASSIGNMENTS:

1. Jul 79 - Nov 79, student, Officer Training School, Lackland AFB, TX.
2. Nov 79 – Aug 81, weather officer, Altus AFB, OK.
3. Aug 81 - May 84, 82d Airborne Division, XVIII Corps weather officer, Ft Bragg, NC.
4. May 84 – Jul 87, 1st Infantry Division staff weather officer, Goeppingen, GE.
5. Jul 87 – Sep 90, Commander, Detachment 3, 5th Weather Squadron, Robins AFB, GA.
6. Sep 90 – Aug 94, Ph.D student, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA.
7. Aug 94 – Sep 97, Chief staff meteorologist, later, commander, 18th Weather Squadron, Wright-Patterson AFB, OH.
8. Sep 97 – Feb 00, Commander, 18th Weather Squadron, Ft. Bragg, NC.
9. Feb 00 – Jul 02, Chief of weather plans, later, deputy for federal and national programs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington D.C.
10. Jul 02 – Jun 03, student, Air War College, Maxwell AFB, AL.
11. Jul 03 – current, deputy superintendent and chief of staff, Naval Postgraduate School, Monterey, CA.

AWARDS:

Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal
Army Achievement Medal
Combat Readiness Medal with oak leaf cluster

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:

Second Lieutenant, Nov 79
First Lieutenant, Nov 81
Captain, Nov 83
Major, Nov 91
Lieutenant Colonel, Mar 96
Colonel, Feb 02