A Legacy Lives On: Colonel Stephanie Smith
Judge Advocate by both the American Bar Association and the Judge Advocate Association in the same year. After 24 years of service, Col Smith is used to breaking barriers. She was the first female Judge Advocate to be assigned to a Marine Expeditionary Unit (MEU), a special operations capable unit. Among her list of numerous achievements, she has been awarded two Meritorious Service Medals, and two Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medals. Smith has excelled in her career as a Marine Corps Officer, and it should come as no surprise that a daughter of Montford Point Marine Ernest A. Smith is still striving to achieve new heights. Your father is a Montford Point Marine, one of the first African American Marines. What influence did his career have on you? Initially, I was seeking my own way in the world on a path none of my older siblings had taken. Only now that I understand the Marine Corps do I realize the full measure of sacrifice that my father and others like him made. They forged a path that was unprecedented. He was part of the first 2000 Blacks to join the Corps, and paved the way for me so many years later. What was it like growing up with a father in the Marine Corps? I never knew any different. I thought everyone woke up with the lights being turned on and someone yelling “make your bed as soon as your feet hit the floor.” In many respects my house was run like boot camp. It was spotless. I had chores, my family was very strict and my father demanded excellence. I got caught laughing at Marine Corps Officer Candidates School when I saw others getting stressed out doing tasks I had been responsible for my whole life. I thought I was raised that way
C
because we had a large family. I now know we were raised that way because my dad was a Marine! What inspired you to join the United States Marine Corps? I was impressed with the Marine Officer Selection Officer who came to my college campus. He was professional and always personable and impeccably dressed. He started to talk to me about the Marine Corps during my freshman year in college. I decided to join when I was a junior. I was looking for a challenge and wanted to see if I was physically capable of making it through the training. What has been your biggest obstacle and how did you overcome
it?
Gender, race and my being a lawyer were all obstacles I had to overcome; but the most important leveling factor in the Marine Corps is that it is a meritocracy. If you come to work early, stay late and do all you can do to accomplish the mission, you are rewarded regardless of your gender, race or anything else. Every job I really wanted I got. I got school opportunities which greatly enhanced my critical thinking and my development. Overall, I am very pleased with my Marine Corps experience.
What key things have you learned in the Marine Corps that you would like to share with others? I have learned so much about myself. I have learned to trust people who are far different from me. I have been forced to build bridges and connect in a very personal way with all sorts of people. I have been faced with incredible challenges in a combat environment and have withstood those challenges. We are a profession of arms but
olonel Stephanie Smith is the only United States Marine Corps Judge Advocate to be recognized as the Outstanding Career
we are much more. We are groups of people who come from all walks of life, who assimilate for one common purpose. We become a family. The feeling is indescribable. What are the top three reasons people should consider a career in the Marines? A person should consider a career in the Corps if they are the type of person who will never quit, is self-motivated and wants an adventure.
The Marine Corps develops leaders who positively
influence the lives of others. These skills serve that individual no matter how long they stay in the Marine Corps or what they do afterwards.
Do you think that joining the Marines was a good choice for you? I never came into the Marine Corps with the intent to remain in for
a career. In fact, I had no idea really what to expect. It was a rough first couple of years but I began to admire certain people and their leadership styles and decided to stay. I think the Marine Corps has been a good choice for me and for my family. What is family life in the Marine Corps like? I am married with two kids. My husband, Tony Bumgarner, retired from the Marine Corps in 2008 as a lieutenant colonel. My children, Neil and Naomi, have the unique experience of growing up on the depot. They hear and see the making of Marines each day. My daughter is eight, and will definitely not be a Marine. We have a terrible time getting her to clean her room. Neil is 12, and he and I ride our bikes around the depot at night and listen to the Marines in the squad bays sounding off to their drill instructors. He is slowly being influenced by their sounds. Not sure if he will be a Marine, but if he does, he certainly knows what to expect.
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100