Marine Captain and Frankfort, Ind., native commended for exemplary performance

Photo By Gunnery Sgt. Alexis Mulero | Capt. Arlon, D. Smith, Frankfort, Ind., native, was presented with a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal by Col. Christopher McCarthy, commanding officer at Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group during a formation at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Va., today. Smith was commended for his exemplary leadership and expertise while deployed as the Deputy Team Chief for the Georgia Training Team, Krtsanisi Training Area, Republic of Georgia September 2010 to March 2011.  

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, UNITED STATES

05.26.2011

Story by Gunnery Sgt. Alexis Mulero 

Fleet Marine Force Atlantic, Marine Forces Command, Marine Forces Northern Command

VIRGINIA BEACH, VA. — U.S. Marine and Frankfort, Indiana native, Capt. Arlon, D. Smith was presented with a Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal during a formation at Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group aboard Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek – Fort Story, Va., May 26.

Smith was awarded this medal for his exemplary leadership and expertise while deployed as the Deputy Team Chief for the Georgia Training Team, Krtsanisi Training Area, Republic of Georgia September 2010 to March 2011.

During this period, Smith led 143 USMC instructors in the development and execution of 26 training packages preparing the 33rd Georgian Infantry Battalion for their deployment in support of I MEF (fwd) operations in Afghanistan. During this time Smith, proactively engaged with subordinates, host nation instructor counterparts and augment instructors from throughout the Marine Corps.

Prior to checking into MCTAG, Smith served for one year as the Intelligence Advisor for the 7th Iraqi Army Division in the Western Anbar province of Iraq. He also deployed two previous times in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Smith graduated from Frankfort High School in Frankfort, Indiana and then earned his undergraduate degree from Indiana University and his Masters degree from Boston University.

His parents Jimmy and Karen Smith still reside in the Frankfort Indiana area.

Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group is a unit in the Marine Corps that provides conventional training and advisor teams to work alongside partner Nations' security forces.

• Date Taken: 05.26.2011
• Date Posted: 05.26.2011 13:12
• Story ID: 71135
• Location: VIRGINIA BEACH, VA, US