Monday, September 14, 2020

Emery S. Smith III Research and military service verification

 


"Emery Smith III was born on January 28th, 1972 to his parents Emery and Dorothy Smith in Plainfield, New Jersey. At about 8 years of age, he moved to Fort Myers Florida to be raised on a self-sustainable farm with a fascination for the universe and a fixation on science, particularly aerospace and biologics. Excelling in all of his classes at such a young age, Emery quickly advanced his education and pursued his dream of joining the United States Airforce.

By age 10, Emery was awarded Lee County’s Sharpest Shooter by the Lee County Sheriff’s Department, carrying the title on into the military. In 1986, Emery volunteered to join the Civil Air Patrol where he worked on a vast array of life-saving missions. He obtained his single-engine pilot license shortly thereafter and became an EMT by age 16. During this time. Emery participated in all extracurricular activities that would advance his rank, knowledge, and experience within the military. His time put into ARMY ROTC, Lee County’s sheriff explorer’s unit, and other advanced training courses paid off allowing Emery to quickly succeed with accomplishing his goals. 

In 1990, Emery became active duty in the USAF and was stationed at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas. From there, he went on to surgical tech training at Sheppard AFB in Wichita Falls, Texas, and then on to England AFB in the 23rd Tactical Fighter Wing, located in Alexandria Louisiana, where he worked as a surgical technologist and surgical first assist. Finally, Emery was transferred to Kirtland AFB in Albuquerque, New Mexico where he worked on and off base at UNM Hospital as a surgical assist and as a paramedic. He was certified in surgical apprenticeship and also worked as a HAZMAT instructor, EMT, terrorist negotiation coordinator, flight medic specialist, surgical technologist, expert marksman, chemical warfare specialist, biotech warfare specialist, and lead DECON response units, among other positions."

https://emerysmith.net/


Air Force Surgical Field - Enlisted


MINIMUM EDUCATION
High school diploma, GED with 15 college credits, or GED
ASVAB REQUIREMENTS
General

QUALIFICATIONS
Fundamental knowledge of anatomy and physiology
No record of emotional instability 
No limitations for continuous standing
Completion of 8.5 weeks of Basic Military Training
Must be between the ages of 17 and 39

Completion of Basic Training 

8.5 weeks training - Ft. Sam Houston, TX Designated Medical Facility

https://www.airforce.com/careers/detail/surgical-service

https://www.thebalancecareers.com/air-force-enlisted-job-descriptions-3344362

http://www.foreverwingman.com/career_fields/4n1x1-surgical-service/

Air Force Field: Surgical Service (4N1X1)

Air Force Medical Technician - 

USAF Medical Technician Badge


Awarded USAF Achievement Medal May 1992 - Rank: Airmen First Class (E-3)

Note:  Enlargement of this photo does reveal Smith is probably wearing the Medical Technician Badge, but it is covered by the officer's hand and the medal which resulted in a dark shadow beneath.  Smith does not appear to be wearing any ribbons. 


Why are there no other photos of Smith in uniform?

Promotion to the rank of Technical Sergeant (E-6):

"Technical Sergeant (TSgt) is the second Non-Commissioned Officer (NCO) rank in the US Air Force. It is the rank just above Staff Sergeant and below Master Sergeant. Within the enlisted Air Force, TSgt is known as the second hardest promotion to acquire, next to the promotion to Senior Master Sergeant, which is capped by federal law. A Staff Sergeant must have served five years along with twenty-three months in grade in order to even be considered for promotion to TSgt; it takes an average of eleven years in service to reach this rank." 

https://www.military-ranks.org/air-force/technical-sergeant

This information is not consistent with what Smith has claimed.  Smith claims to have served 5 years Active Duty (and then "later" Active Duty) and was discharged at the rank of E-6.

Smith posted a short video to YouTube in Feb 2019 in which he films a few of his USAF certificates.  These screen captures show an Award of Appreciation For Dedicated Service at England AFB, Louisiana (likely presented to him before a permanent change of duty assignment) dated 25 April 1990-1 August 1992.



This shows his dates of assignment at England AFB where he had been awarded an Achievement Medal 3 months prior.

"Expert Marksman":

"In order to graduate from Air Force basic training, you must complete (and qualify on) the Air Force rifle (M-16) qualification course. Airmen who hit the target at least 35 times qualify for the Small Arms Expert Ribbon."
https://www.military.com/join-armed-forces/air-force-rifle-qualification-course.html

The U.S. Air Force awards a single ribbon, known as the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, for an expert qualification on either the M16 rifle, M4 carbine or the individual's AFSC (duty) designated pistol. The ribbon is issued in only one degree; however, a 316 inch bronze star may be worn on the ribbon for those who have qualified expert on both the service rifle and pistol.[3] The ribbon was authorized by the Secretary of the Air Force on Aug. 28, 1962, and was awarded to all Air Force members who qualified after Jan. 1, 1963. Prior to the conception of a ribbon, Air Force members were awarded with the United States Air Force Small Arms Marksmanship Certificate of Achievement (AF Form 1193 Jan 1961).

USAF Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon

Note:  Smith is NOT wearing this ribbon on his uniform in May 1992. (See photo above)

UPDATE: September 14, 2020 6:50 PM

I have obtained the FOIA results from the DOD/DMDC regarding Emery S. Smith III:









This document shows Emery Smith served from August 8, 1990 to January 7, 1995 on USAF Active Duty Status. It shows NO additional dates of Active Duty service and NO Dates of Reserve Status.

This confirms his claims of Active Duty Service in the USAF.  However, it also confirms his claims to have served on Active Duty beyond 1995 or to have attained the rank of Technical Sergeant (E-6) are false.

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