DING-DING, DING-DING… '89 ARRIVING!

The sharp-eyed Brother Rat BullNav brought something to my attention yesterday, but neither one of us was able to get on it because of work issues. He remembered an entry in the ’89 section of VMI Alumni Review about our long-ball-hitting Brother Rat CDR Winton Smith taking command of a destroyer, USS Higgins. (The ship is named after US Marine Colonel William R. Higgins, who was abducted and murdered in Lebanon in 1988.)

BR Smith’s change of command took place in May, so we’re a little time-late. But hey, we’re talking about the Class of ’89 here, so that’s nothing new. (Check out his bio below the fold.)

So congrats, Brother Rat! Sail that ship overseas and give ‘em what fer!

“The world is on notice: those who threaten America’s interests or dare terrorize its citizens will face Colonel Rich Higgins and the 8,300 tons of pure American steel that now surround his spirit.”

CDR FRED W. SMITH, JR., USN

Commander Fred W. Smith, Jr., a native of Kemmerer, Wyoming, graduated from the Virginia Military Institute in 1989. A Distinguished Naval Graduate, he earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in History and German. He holds a Master of Foreign Affairs cum laude with a concentration in International Law and Political Theory from the University of Virginia as well as a Master of Arts degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the Naval War College.

Sea duty includes Damage Control Assistant, First Lieutenant, and Engineering Maintenance Materials Officer in USS THOMAS S GATES (CG 51); Operations Officer in USS CURTS (FFG 38); Operations Officer on the staff of Commander Destroyer Squadron Fifteen; and Executive Officer in USS LAKE CHAMPLAIN (CG 57).

During those sea tours, he participated in seven Carrier Battle Group deployments to the Mediterranean Sea , Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and Persian Gulf, as well as several shorter deployments throughout Southeast Asia and the Caribbean Sea. He served in Operations DESERT SHIELD and DESERT STORM in the Red Sea; Operation PROVIDE PROMISE in the ADRIATIC SEA; OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM in the Persian Gulf; and various counter-drug, counter-special operations force, and counter-mine operations. In May 2007, CDR Smith assumed command of the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer, USS HIGGINS (DDG 76).

Ashore, CDR Smith recently completed tours as a Strategic Planner and the Executive Assistant to the Deputy Director for the War on Terrorism Directorate, Joint Staff (J5). He was the lead author of the National Military Strategic Plan for the War on Terrorism, commonly referred to as the Defense Department’s comprehensive strategy for the war. Before his joint assignments, he served as Deputy Executive Assistant to the Deputy Chief of Naval Operations for Plans, Policy and Operations (OPNAV N3/N5). He also served as an Action Officer on Asia-Pacific strategy and wargaming matters within the CNO’s Strategy & Concepts Branch (N513) and maritime security cooperation initiatives for the CNO’s Ocean Policy Branch (N311). Commander Smith is a Naval Command and Staff College distinguished graduate; alumnus of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Seminar XXI: Foreign Politics, International Relations, and the National Interest; and a graduate of the Navy’s Corporate Business Course. He is a proven Political-Military sub-specialist, with Strategic Planning sub-specialty experience.

His decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (six awards), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy Achievement Medals (three awards), and various unit citations and campaign awards.