COLONEL CHRISTOPHER L. SMITH

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Colonel Christopher L. Smith is the AGR State Staff Judge Advocate for the Wyoming National Guard, Cheyenne, Wyoming.  His principal duties include providing full-time legal services to the Wyoming Military Department, both Air National Guard and Army National Guard.   

Colonel Smith was commissioned through a direct appointment with the United States Air Force in January 1992. During his six and half years of active duty, he was assigned to the 10th Tactical Fighter Wing/710th Air Base Wing, United States Air Forces in Europe, Alconbury, United Kingdom; the Air Force Legal Services Agency, Royal Air Force Alconbury, United Kingdom; and the 90th Space Wing (SPACECOM), F. E. Warren AFB, Wyo. During this time, Colonel Smith acted as Chief of Civil Law and Chief of Military Justice (RAF Alconbury), Area Defense Counsel for RAF Alconbury, RAF Chicksands, RAF Menwith Hill and other locations (RAF Alconbury), Chief of Environmental Law, Chief of Contracts, and then Chief of Military Justice and Special Assistant to the U.S. Attorney (F. E. Warren AFB). 

After leaving active duty in August 1998, Colonel Smith was a Sole Practitioner in Cheyenne, Wyo., specializing in Civil and Criminal Litigation in Wyoming and Colorado while remaining a member of the Air Force Reserves, assigned to F. E. Warren AFB. In March 2002, Colonel Smith transferred to the Wyoming Air National Guard after selection as the first full-time AGR Judge Advocate for the 153rd Airlift Wing and Wyoming Air National Guard. He became the State Staff Judge Advocate in 2012.

EDUCATION
1981 Bachelor of Arts degree in Physics, Colby College, Waterville, Maine
1985 Juris Doctor, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colo.
1996 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2013 Air War College, by correspondence

ASSIGNMENTS
1. January 1992 - May 1993, Assistant Staff Judge Advocate, 10th Tactical Fighter Wing/710th Air Base Wing, RAF Alconbury, United Kingdom
2. May 1993 - June 1995, Area Defense Counsel, Air Force Legal Services Agency, RAF Alconbury, United Kingdom
3. June 1995 - August 1998, Chief of Military Justice, 90th Space Wing, F. E. Warren AFB, Wyo.
4. August 1998 - March 2002, Reserve Assistant Staff Judge Advocate, 90th Space Wing, F. E. Warren AFB, Wyo.
5. March 2002 - June 2008, Staff Judge Advocate, 153rd Airlift Wing, Wyoming Air National Guard, Cheyenne, Wyo.
6. June 2008 - December 2012, Assistant State Staff Judge Advocate, Joint Force Headquarters-Wyoming, Cheyenne, Wyo.
7. December 2012 - present, State Staff Judge Advocate, Joint Force Headquarters-Wyoming, Cheyenne, Wyo.

AWARDS & DECORATIONS
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Army Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with Valor Device and three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
National Defense Service Medal with bronze service star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Ribbon - Long Tour
Air Force Longevity Service Award with four oak leaf clusters
Armed Forces Reserve Medal with 'M' Device
Air Force Small Arms Marksmanship Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
Wyoming National Guard Association Medal for Excellence
Wyoming National Guard Exceptional Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Wyoming Service Ribbon

CIVILIAN POSITIONS
Sole Practitioner, Law Office of Christopher L. Smith, Cheyenne, Wyoming (August 1998 - February 2002)
Associate Attorney, Law Office of Timothy J. Buchanan, Boulder, Colorado (1991)
Associate Attorney, Law Office of Stephen T. Williamson, Louisville, Colorado (1985 - 1991)

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
First Lieutenant Jan. 15, 1992
Captain July 15, 1992
Major Oct. 1, 2000
Lieutenant Colonel Oct. 20, 2004
Colonel Feb. 24, 2014

(Current as of September 2015)