Commander, 174th Air Defense Artillery BrigadeBrigadier General Rufus J. Smith assumed command of the 174th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, the newest and largest Brigade in Ohio, on 1 October 2006. General Smith commands a Brigade of three Battalions and one squadron to include the 1st Battalion-174th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 2nd Battalion-174th Air Defense Artillery Regiment, 1st Battalion-145th Combat Arms Regiment (Heavy Maneuver), and the 2nd Squadron-107th Calvary Regiment (Reconnaissance, Surveillance, and Target Acquisition).
General Smith began his military career in 1978, when he enlisted into the United States Army as an active duty soldier. In 1982, he transferred into the Ohio Army National Guard and one year later received his commission through the Federal Officer Candidate School program. Throughout his career, General Smith has held leadership positions at the platoon, battery, battalion, and brigade level to include command of an Air defense Battery, a Forward Support Battalion, a Corps Support Group, and the Air Defense Artillery Brigade. He has also held several staff/administrative positions include serving as the Inspector General, Military Support Officer, Recruiting and Retention Manager, G1, and G3/J357 for the Ohio National Guard. His previous deployment includes mobilization in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as Commander, 371st Corps Support Group.
1985 Marietta College, Bachelor of Arts, Personnel Management and Industrial Relations, Marietta, Ohio
1998 Central Michigan University, Master of Science, Administration, Columbus, Ohio
2001 United States Army War College, Master of Science, Strategic Studies, Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania
1. September 1983 - September 1984, Platoon Leader, Battery A, 2nd Battalion, 174th Air Defense Artillery, Logan, Ohio
2. September 1984 - September 1985, Platoon Leader, Battery D, 2nd Battalion, 174th Air Defense Artillery, Marietta, Ohio
3. August 1985 - July 1987, Executive Officer, Battery D, 2nd Battalion, 174th Air Defense Artillery, Marietta, Ohio
4. August 1987 - November 1987, Commander, Battery D, 2nd Battalion, 174th Air Defense Artillery, Marietta, Ohio
5. November 1987 - February 1989, Commander, Battery D, 2nd Battalion, 174th Air Defense Artillery, Marietta, Ohio
6. March 1989 - May 1992, S-1, 2nd Battalion, 174th Air Defense Artillery, Athens, Ohio
7. May 1992 - January 1993, Assistant S-3, 2nd Battalion, 174th Air Defense Artillery, McConnelsville, Ohio
8. January 1993 - August 1995, Assistant Inspector General, Headquarters State Area Command, Columbus, Ohio
9. September 1995 - June 1998, Recruiting and Retention Manager, Detachment 4, Headquarters State Area Command, Columbus, Ohio
10. July 1998 - November 2001, Commander, 237th Forward Support Battalion, Springfield, Ohio
11. November 2001 - June 2002, Military Support Officer, Headquarters State Area Command, Columbus, Ohio
12. July 2002 - July 2004, Commander, 371st Support Group (Corps), Kettering, Ohio
13. July 2004 - February 2005, Deputy Chief of Staff Personnel, Joint Force Headquarters, Columbus, Ohio
14. February 2005 - November 2005, Deputy Chief of Staff Operations, Joint Force Headquarters, Columbus, Ohio
15. December 2005 - September 2006, Director G3/J357, Joint Force Headquarters, Columbus, Ohio
16. October 2006 - Present, Commander, 174th Air Defense Artillery Brigade, Columbus, Ohio
Bronze Star
Meritorious Service Medal (with 2 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters)
Army Commendation Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Army Achievement Medal (with 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
Army Good Conduct Medal
Army Reserve Component achievement Medal (with Silver Oak Leaf Cluster and 1 Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster)
National Defense Service Medal (with 1 Bronze Service Star)
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Armed Forces Reserve Medal (with Silver Hourglass and M Device)
NCO Professional Developmental Ribbon
Army Service Ribbon
Overseas Service Ribbon
Combat Action Badge
National Guard Association of Ohio
Ancient order of Saint Barbara
1992 General Douglas MacArthur Leadership Award Recipient
Second Lieutenant ARNG 9 September 1983
First Lieutenant ARNG 8 September 1986
Captain ARNG 11 August 1988
Major ARNG 21 May 1993
Lieutenant Colonel ARNG 13 August 1997
Colonel ARNG 1 July 2002
Brigadier General ARNG 17 January 2009
(Current as of April 2012)
The date of publication indicated on this biography reflects the most recent update. It does not necessarily reflect the date of printing.