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    Hometown hero – Capt. Tim Smoke

    Hometown Hero - Capt. Tim Smoke

    Photo By Master Sgt. Thomas Duval | Capt. Tim Smoke, 6th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Brigade Combat Team,...... read more read more

    KUNDUZ PROVINCE, Afghanistan – Growing up as the son to a WWII veteran, Capt. Timothy Smoke understood the importance of serving his country at an early age.

    In fact it was his dad's service that directly influenced Smoke to follow in his footsteps.

    Smoke’s fascination took a leap when he got the opportunity to explore the M1 Abram Tank while attending a family day with his dad, a retired lieutenant colonel, at the Tank Automotive Command in Warren, Mich.

    This motivated Tim to enlist into the Army 10 years later as an armor crewman, where he made his way up through the ranks.

    During his time as a non-commissioned officer, the Dearborn, Mich., native, deployed three times to Iraq including the invasion in March 2003.

    It was Tim’s leadership on and off the battlefield that opened up the door for his next job.

    He was selected to serve as a drill sergeant at Fort Benning, Ga., where he trained new recruits.

    “My experience as a drill sergeant was a time I felt as though I could make a difference, I accomplished a lot,” said Smoke. “Seeing the contrast of those new soldiers from beginning to end was something that made me proud - seeing the teamwork and training them on basic army tasks, conditions, standards, and also instilling the Army values.”

    After molding and mentoring the future generations of soldiers and after returning from his third tour in Iraq, Smoke decided to apply for Officer Candidate School.

    After 13½ years of service, Tim was selected for both attendance to OCS and for selection to the rank of master sergeant.

    It was during his first couple days of OCS candidacy that Smoke realized how small the Army really is.

    “I walked in and a fellow student called me Drill Sergeant,” Smoke remembered.

    It turned out that a fellow OCS classmate had been a new recruit of Tim’s when he was a drill sergeant.

    After Tim received his commission as a 2nd lieutenant, he pursued finishing his bachelors degree in criminal justice at Excelsior College, New York while serving in the Armor branch as a cavalry officer in a light reconnaissance squadron.

    In 2011 he made the transition from the Armor branch to military intelligence, where he still serves today.

    Tim expressed how the Army has changed him, saying, “It has changed me a lot. I have more confidence, more maturity, I’m more adaptable and I’ve learned a lot about my limits physically and emotionally. I have three friends from elementary school, and they notice the fitness, pride, and the experiences that I share. They see a lot of positive energy from me.”

    Currently, Tim is deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, as an intelligence officer, with the 6th Squadron, 4th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, this being his fifth deployment; first in Afghanistan.

    His training and experience has allowed him to prepare accordingly for his current deployment.

    In keeping with his days a drill sergeant, Tim urges anyone who wants to join the military to be mentally prepared.

    He adds that there are struggles and challenges to being in the military, but in the end the rewards far outweigh the struggles.

    To help you get through those struggles, Smoke often references his favorite quote; “If you do anything, do it to 100% of your abilities. You will feel proud knowing you gave it your all.”

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    NEWS INFO

    Date Taken: 06.18.2013
    Date Posted: 06.18.2013 10:03
    Story ID: 108824
    Location: KUNDUZ, AF
    Hometown: DEARBORN, MI, US
    Hometown: ELIZABETHTOWN, KY, US
    Hometown: LOUISVILLE, KY, US

    Web Views: 533
    Downloads: 0

    PUBLIC DOMAIN