Paul Gregory Smith
Last Name: Smith
First Name: Paul
Mi
ddle Name:
Suffix: Gregory
Nickname: Greg
Medals and Honors:
Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal w/4OLC, Army Commendation Medal w/ 4OLC, Air Force Commendation Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Medalla de Honor de CECOPAZ (Paraguay), Distinguished Order of St. Martin
ACNSL Offices and Committees:
Rank: Brigadier General
Service/Department: U.S. Army
Last or Significant Assignment: Land Component Commander & Joint Task Force Commander, Massachusetts National Guard
Areas of Experience:
Counter-terrorism
South and Central America
Articles, Books and Publications:
Brigadier General Paul Gregory Smith
Brigadier General Paul "Greg" Smith served in the US Army and Massachusetts National Guard for 36 years, holding command assignments from company to state level. As a citizen-soldier, he also pursued a parallel career as a public school educator for 38 years. Smith earned a Bachelor of Science in Special Education from Fitchburg State College, a Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology from Anna Maria College, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the US Army War College. His writing has appeared in publications such as ARMY, Military History, Canada's History, National Guard and other platforms.
From the beginning of his military career, Smith commanded forces in response to numerous civil emergencies, including blizzards, floods, hurricanes, a tornado, and a bitter workers' strike. He commanded critical infrastructure protection missions at Logan Airport and other facilities during periods of heightened terrorist threat. Smith completed NORTHCOM Dual Status Commander's qualification and was appointed as the Dual Status Commander for Massachusetts during Superstorm Sandy. In 2013 Smith commanded the military Joint Task Force that responsed to the Boston Marathon Bombings resulting in the apprehension of the terrorist bombers.
Smith had oversight for the State Partnership Program with the Republic of Paraguay. He was instrumental in developing and training a United Nations Peacekeeping Company within the Paraguayan Defense Forces. The unit participated successfully in support of the MINUSTAH operation in Haiti. While in Paraguay, Smith conducted staff training and advised counterinsurgency operations to prevent freedom of movement of the Ejercito del Pueblo Paraguayo (EPP), a Marxist insurgent group.
Smith served as a guest instructor for Public Affairs and Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) courses at the US Army War College. Following official retirement, Smith teaches leadership courses for managers in the medical manufacturing industry and Counterterrorism courses at the graduate level at Nichols College. He continues to write for military publications. Smith actively supports veterans' organizations, serves on the board of Montachusett Veterans' Outreach in Gardner MA, and pitches in on Team Rubicon projects when he can.
