Commander Clement L. Smith, a native of Birmingham, Alabama, graduated from Lincoln High School in 1996. He enlisted in the Navy in July 1996 and completed basic training at Recruit Training Command (RTC) Great Lakes, IL in September 1996.
In June 1997, he completed Aviation Electronics Technician “A” School at NATTC Pensacola. Upon graduation, he received orders to AIMD Oceana as a FLIR technician and deployed aboard USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67).
He then reported to AIMD New Orleans in August 2002 as a USM-449 maintainer. He earned a Bachelor of Business Administration from Northwood University and was selected for Officer Candidate School (OCS) in 2007.
CDR Smith commissioned via OCS while assigned to NAS Pensacola in July 2007. Following training, he received orders to Strike Fighter Squadron ONE FIVE FOUR in Lemoore, CA where he performed Material Control Officer (MCO), Quality Assurance Officer (QAO), and Assistant Maintenance Officer (AMO) duties. He also deployed aboard USS JOHN C. STENNIS (CVN 74) and USS RONALD REAGAN (CVN 76).
In November 2010, he reported to Patrol Squadron EIGHT as MCO and MMCO. While there, he earned a Master of Business Administration from Trident University, won two “Golden Wrench Awards,” and received the “Captain Virgil Lemmon Award.”
In November 2012, CDR Smith reported to Fleet Readiness Center Southeast (FRCSE) Jacksonville, FL as Avionics Division Officer and MMCO. In 2014, he obtained the Professional Aviation Maintenance Officer (PAMO) qualification.
In January 2015, he reported to Helicopter Maritime Strike Squadron SEVEN TWO where his leadership was critical to the preparation of the squadron’s first CVN deployment aboard USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75).
CDR Smith reported to Naval Air Systems Command in 2016 as AIR 6.0 Operations Officer and PMA 272’s Assistant Program Manager for Logistics.
In January 2019, he served as AMO and MMCO aboard USS ABRAHAM LINCOLN (CVN 72). During his tour, AIMD won the “2019 Secretary of Defense Phoenix Award.”
CDR Smith reported to Center for Naval Aviation Technical Training Detachment Whiting Field in January 2021 as Officer in Charge (OIC) of AMO, Marine Corps Aviation Supply Officer, and Aviation Ordnance Schools.
He is currently serving as Fleet Readiness Center Southeast Detachment Jacksonville Officer in Charge.