LCDR Eric Smitley is a native of Fort Worth, Texas. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2008 with a degree in Engineering. He holds a Master’s in Mechanical Engineering from the Naval Postgraduate School and was recognized for an outstanding thesis. He also completed Joint Professional Military Education (JPME) Phase I education.

Among his sea tours, Smitley has served on multiple platforms. Smitley was assigned division officer jobs on USS MAKIN ISLAND (LHD 8) and USS ARLEIGH BURKE (DDG 51). As a first tour department head he was Weapons Officer and Operations Officer aboard USS PHILIPPINE SEA (CG 58). Additionally, he embarked USS GEORGE H.W. BUSH (CVN 77) as the Air Defense Commander (XW) Liaison Officer to Commander, Carrier Strike Group TWO, deployed to C6F and C5F. As a second tour department head, he was the Future Operations and Plans Officer (N5) in Destroyer Squadron 50 / CTF 55, responsible for planning and briefing all surface exercises and named operations in C5F. At sea, he most recently served as the Executive Officer on USS WARRIOR (MCM 10).

His personal awards include the Navy Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal.