Reserve Command Senior Chief
Senior Chief Petty Officer Jake R. Smith
Senior Chief Petty Officer Jake R. Smith assumed the duties as the Reserve Command Senior Chief for Sector Charleston in January 2025. While serving as the voice of the command and crew respectively, his primary focus will be to better understand the crew, their roles and what motivates them to support the missions of the U.S. Coast Guard. His area of responsibility will include Sector Charleston, Station Brunswick, Station Georgetown, Station Charleston, Station Tybee and Marine Safety Unit Savannah.
Senior Chief Smith first enlisted into active duty on November 12, 2002, where he attended basic training at Cape May, New Jersey. Upon graduation, he reported to his first unit in Alameda, California, aboard the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Boutwell (WHEC 719). From February 2003 to May 2003 Boutwell’s crew engaged in Coalition Maritime and Fifth Fleet Missions in the North Arabian Gulf in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. During Smith’s tenure on the cutter Boutwell, he assisted in interdicting over 20 tons of illegal narcotics as well as search and rescue and migrant operations. In February 2007 Smith joined the U.S. Coast Guard Reserve. His duty stations include Sector Charleston Sector Boarding Team and Station Georgetown, where he supported numerous joint exercises; “Charleston Bridge Run,” “Shrimp and Grits,” “Hammerhead,” “OVS” and operation “Dry Water.”
Smith is a graduate of the Chief Petty Officer Academy, the Senior Enlisted Leadership Course in New London, Connecticut, and the Chiefs Call to Initiation. In addition, he graduated from the University of North Carolina at Charlotte in 2002 with a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice. His Coast Guard credentials include boarding officer, boarding officer ashore, law enforcement instructor, firearms coach, deck watch officer and various ICS qualifications. As a civilian, Smith works as a maritime enforcement specialist A-School instructor at the Coast Guard Maritime Law Enforcement Academy.
During his distinguished career, Senior Chief Smith received the following awards: DHS Outstanding Unit Award, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, CG Achievement Medal, CG Unit Commendation Ribbon, CG Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon (2), Military Outstanding Volunteer, CG COMDT Letter of COMM Ribbon (2), CG “E” Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, CG Special Ops Service Ribbon (3), CG President Unit Citation, CG Sea Service Ribbon, and the CG Reserve Good Conduct Medal (5).