EBBING AIR NATIONAL GUARD BASE, Ark. -- Col. Thomas Smith, Joint Force Headquarters Command Chaplain, retired after more than 25 years of service April 7, 2018, during a formal retirement ceremony.
Retired Col. Mark W. Anderson, Former Commander of the 188th Wing, presided over the ceremony, which included Col. Robert I. Kenny, 188th Wing Commander, as guest speaker. “Words really can’t do justice to the impact you've had on this wing," Kenny said. "The example that you've set, the inspiration you've provided, friendship and mentoring, you've been there for all of us."
Chaplain Smith started his military career in 1980 at the 123rd Tactical Reconnaissance Wing, Louisville, Ky. Smith graduated from the Chaplain Basic Orientation course in 1981 and was selected as the first junior grade officer to be a member of the Air National Guard Chaplains' Advisory Group and served in that capacity until 1982.
In December 1983, Smith transferred to the 188th Fighter Wing, here. In 1989 Smith resigned his commission to become a missionary in the Philippines. After a decade of service as a missionary, Chaplain Smith returned to the 188th Wing in February 2001.
During his career, Smith completed the Wing Chaplain's and Advanced Wing Chaplains's courses, as well as many advanced leadership courses to include Air War College.
Chaplin smith provided spiritual guidance for many soldiers and airman during a number of operations throughout the conflicts in Afghanistan and Iraq. While on assignment to Landstuhl Regional Medical Center in Germany, Smith provided counseling and spiritual guidance to injured service members returning from combat zones, and their families.
“Tom has always gone above and beyond, only motivated by what's right, what's pleasing to their god, and what's helpful to their fellow man," Anderson said about Smiths commitment to his fellow airmen.
Following the official retirement certificate presentation, many guest speakers spoke of Col. Smith’s accomplishments and thanked him for his leadership and guidance both professionally and personally.
Near the conclusion of the ceremony, Smith reflected on his career. “Part of the tension for anyone that's a chaplain and wears a cross or any other device wears tension between being true to their calling and also their commission,” Smith said. "I always tried to treat everybody equally regardless of what their belief was but in the same token I always remembered as Christian chaplain I wore this cross and answered to a higher calling, as some say, a peacemaker in a blue uniform."