CDR Eric Smitley

COMMANDING OFFICER, USS HOWARD (DDG 83)

14 March 2024 CDR Eric Smitley is a native of Fort Worth, Texas. He graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 2008 with a degree in General Engineering. At the Naval Postgraduate School he earned his master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering and was recognized for an outstanding thesis. He has also completed Joint Professional Military Education Phase I.
 
At sea, he most recently served as the Commanding Officer of USS WARRIOR (MCM 10) forward deployed to the Western Pacific. Previously, he served as the Executive Officer of USS WARRIOR (MCM 10). As a Department Head he was the Future Operations and Plans Officer (N5) of Destroyer Squadron 50 forward deployed to Bahrain, and the Weapons Officer and Operations Officer of USS PHILIPPINE SEA (CG 58). As a Division Officer he was the Damage Control Assistant of USS ARLEIGH BURKE (DDG 51), and Deck Division Officer onboard USS MAKIN ISLAND (LHD 8).
 
Ashore, CDR Smitley served in the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, Surface Warfare Division (N96), where he was the Requirements Officer for Integrated Air and Missile Defense Weapons, Directed Energy Weapons, and lead Action Officer in the CNO’s Terminal Defense Cross Functional Team.
 
His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal and Navy Achievement Medal.