General Leslie Smith
Board Director
Retired Lieutenant General Leslie C. Smith joined Our.love Company board in November 2021 after serving over 35 distinguished years in the U.S. Army, with the last 3 years of his tenure as the 66th Inspector General, Office of the Secretary of the U.S. Army (the first chemical officer to hold this position). Throughout his career, he served in all levels of command and staff throughout the Army and the joint force. Smith also deployed to the Middle East for Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, and to Iraq during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Smith’s previous assignment was the deputy Inspector General, Office of the Secretary of the Army. His early assignments include the 1-230th Field Artillery Battalion of the 48th Infantry Brigade, Georgia National Guard; Chemical Staff officer in the 3-52nd Air Defense Artillery Battalion; Division and DIVARTY staff officer and company commander in the 82nd Airborne Division; Chemical Branch assignments officer, PERSCOM; S-3 and executive officer in the 23rd Chemical Battalion; and the Joint Staff, J-5. In 2001, he assumed command of the 83rd Chemical Battalion, where elements of the battalion deployed in support of Operations Enduring Freedom, Iraqi Freedom, and New Dawn. Following command, he served on the Army Staff in the G-8 as the deputy division chief and chief, NBC Branch for the Full Dimensional Protection Division. In 2005, he assumed command of the 3rd Chemical Brigade at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and later served as the G-3, 20th Support Command (CBRN). In June 2013, Smith became the first chemical officer to serve as the commanding general of the United States Maneuver Support Center of Excellence and Fort Leonard Wood.
His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal (with 2 oak leaf clusters), Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Bronze Star Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Senior Parachutist Badge, and the Joint and Army Staff Identification Badges.
His military education includes the Chemical Officer Basic and Advanced Courses, Airborne School, Jumpmaster School, Command and General Staff College, and National War College.
Smith holds a master’s in administration from Central Michigan University and a master’s in national security strategy from the National Defense University. Smith is married to VAnedra for over 33 years and has two daughters.