Chris Smith (general)

Last updated

Chris Smith
AllegianceAustralia
Service / branch Australian Army
Years of service1991–present
Rank Major General
Unit Royal Australian Infantry Corps
Commands Deputy Chief of Army (2024–)
Deputy Commanding General – Operations (2022–24)
2nd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment (2010–13)
Battles / wars
Awards Distinguished Service Cross
Member of the Order of Australia
Conspicuous Service Cross
Officer of the Legion of Merit (United States)
Bronze Star Medal (United States)
Knight of the National Order of Merit (France)
Alma mater Royal Military College, Duntroon
Australian Defence Force Academy
United States Army Command and General Staff College

Major General Christopher Robert Smith, DSC , AM , CSC is a senior officer in the Australian Army. He graduated from the Royal Military College, Duntroon in 1995 and was commissioned into the Royal Australian Infantry Corps. [1] He served with the in United Nations Assistance Mission for Rwanda in 1995 and the United Nations Truce Supervision Organization. Most recently he served as the Deputy Commanding General – Operations for the United States Army Pacific from 2022–2024 before taking over the role of Deputy Chief of Army on 31 January 2024. [1]

Military career

He was awarded the Conspicuous Service Cross as part of the 2011 Queen's Birthday Honours for "outstanding achievement as Staff Officer One Future Land Operating Concept, Directorate of Future Land Warfare and Strategy, Land Warfare Development Centre, Army Headquarters." [2] He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross as part of the 2013 Australia Day Honours for "distinguished command and leadership in warlike operations and in action as the Commanding Officer, Mentoring Task Force 3 on Operation SLIPPER in Afghanistan from June 2011 to January 2012." [3] He was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia as part of the 2022 Queen's Birthday Honours for "exceptional service as Chief of the Defence Force Liaison Officer to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff United States and as Director General Land Operations, Army Headquarters." [4] On 5 January 2024, he was appointed an Officer of the Legion of Merit with Oak Leaf Cluster at the conclusion of his appointment as the Deputy Commanding General – Operations United States Army Pacific. [5]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Major General Chris Smith, DSC, AM, CSC". Department of Defence. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  2. "Conspicuous Service Cross". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  3. "Distinguished Service Cross". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  4. "Member of the Order of Australia". Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
  5. "Major General Chris Smith Award Ceremony". Department of Defence. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
Military offices
Preceded by
Major General Cheryl Pearce
Deputy Chief of Army
2024–present
Incumbent