Utah National Guard to hold retirement ceremony for one of its own
Mar 14, 2022, 7:59 PM
Brig. Gen. Tyler B. Smith. Photo credit: Utah National Guard
CAMP WILLIAMS, Utah — The Utah National Guard will be holding a retirement ceremony for Brig. Gen. Tyler B. Smith on Tuesday at the Scott Lundell Readiness Center at Camp Williams.
In all, Smith has served in the military for nearly 36 years. Of which, the past four years have been spent as the Utah National Guard assistant adjutant general-Army. He relinquished command during a change of command ceremony on Sunday.
“There are difficult and rewarding aspects affiliated with retiring after 35 years of military service. It’s tough to lose daily association with the most exceptional men and women our nation has to offer. However, the friendships, experiences, and education I have gained are stored up and will be treasured forever,” Smith said in a press release.
Smith began military service in 1986. He attended basic training camp at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri. From there he advanced in individual training for a tank turret repairman at Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland.
Utah National Guard
During his career, Smith was deployed to Saudi Arabia and Kuwait as part of Operation Desert Storm. From there, Smith returned to Utah and joined the Utah National Guard and attended Officer Candidate School.
Smith was deployed to Afghanistan in 2008. He was the team chief for an embedded training team in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. For his work with the Afghan National Guard, Smith earned the Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge.
Smith has a decorated career, which include the following: Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, the Meritorious Service Medal (with two bronze oak leaf clusters), Army Commendation Medal (with one bronze oak leaf cluster), Army Achievement Medal (with bronze oak leaf cluster) and the Combat Action Badge.
Smith earned a master’s degree in public administration from Brigham Young University, and a second master’s degree in strategic studies from the U.S. Army War College.
Currently, Smith resides in Fountain Green with his live Maurnie. They have four children and 13 grandchildren.
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