Major General Chris Smith, DSC AM CSC
Major General Smith was appointed as the Deputy Chief of the Army on 31 January 2024.
Major General Smith graduated from the Royal Military College – Duntroon in 1994 and commissioned into the Royal Australian Infantry Corps. His regimental service included command appointments within the 2nd Battalion, The Royal Australian Regiment, staff appointments within the 3rd Brigade and training staff appointments at the Royal Military College – Duntroon.
He has held a number of senior appointments within Australian and United States headquarters. These include appointments as Chief of Staff to the Chief of the Defence Force, the Chief of the Defence Force’s Liaison Officer to the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Director Future Land Warfare and Director General Land Operations (G3) of the Australian Army. Most recently, Major General Smith has completed a two year appointment as the Deputy Commanding General US Army Pacific.
His operational experience includes: Commanding Officer, 2nd Battalion Battle Group, Afghanistan, 2011; Operations Officer, 2nd Battalion Battle Group, Iraq, 2006; United Nations Military Observer, Lebanon and Golan Heights, 2002; Platoon Commander, United Nations Assistance Mission, Rwanda, 1995. Major General Smith also served as the Commander Landing Force for the newly formed Australian Amphibious Ready Element in 2013.
Major General Smith is an honours graduate of the United States Army School of Advanced Military Studies. He is also a graduate of the United States Army Command and General Staff College, the Royal Military College - Duntroon, and the Australian Defence Force Academy.
His awards include the Distinguished Service Cross, Member of the Order of Australia, the Conspicuous Service Cross, the United States Legion of Merit (Officer) with Oak Leaf Cluster, French Legion of Merit (Chevalier), United States Bronze Star, Japan’s Defense Cooperation Award, Commander Joint Operations Commendation and the Meritorious Unit Citation-Rwanda.
He is married to Marcelle and together they have one daughter, Sophia. He is a passionate St Kilda supporter, an avid reader, and enjoys a number of outdoor activities with his family.