Aggie rising up the ranks

Former student nominated for highest Marine Corps position

ByAna Renfroe @aeoenia

Four-star Gen. Eric Smith, Class of 1987, was recently nominated on May 31 by President Biden to serve as the next commandant of the United States Marine Corps.

Since October 2021, Smith has served as the assistant commandant, the second-highest ranking position in the Marine Corps. Smith was the 10th Aggie to ever earn a four-star ranking in the military, according to the Texas A&M Foundation.

If the Senate confirms Smith’s nomination, Smith will become the Marine Corps’ 39th commandant, commanding the branch’s active duty and reserve personnel, totaling over 200,000 Marines. Additionally, he would serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, helping ensure readiness of the entire U.S. military.

While at Texas A&M, Smith was a leader in the Corps of Cadets. He served as commander of the Fightin’ Aggie Texas Band and a member of the Ross Volunteer Company, according to Texas A&M Today. Upon graduating with his political science degree, Smith was commissioned into the Marines through the Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps, or NROTC, program.