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A 2003 R.S. Central High School graduate and Rutherfordton, North Carolina native was recently reenlisted by the 31st Chief of Naval Operations, Admiral John Richardson, at Naval Submarine Support Center New London (NSSC NLON) in Groton, Connecticut.
Navy Petty Officer 1st Class James Smith (left), an electronics technician (submarines) communications, took the oath of enlistment along his wife Mindy and his step daughters, 10-year-old Danica Edwards and 15-year-old Madison Edwards, who were present to witness this career milestone.
"Reenlistments are always important events, but this one was particularly special," said Smith. "It means a lot that someone as busy as the Chief of Naval Operations would make time to perform my reenlistment."
As an electronics technician, Smith specializes in communication systems and is responsible for electronic equipment used to send and receive messages and must maintain, repair, calibrate, tune, and adjust all electronic equipment used for communications. While at sea, he operates and monitors computer and computer-controlled systems to include receivers and transceivers, printers and data storage devices under the supervision of senior personnel.
"I love my job because it's not every year you get to launch four Trident Missiles," said Smith.
Naval Submarine Base New London provides support over assigned shore organizations: to provide a Base Operations Support (BOS) infrastructure to the operating forces of the Navy and other naval organizations and tenants, and to program and budget for resources to support BOS requirements.
It ensures and enhances national security by providing the facilities, delivering the services, and creating the environment for the Fleet, Fighter, and Family to deploy combat-ready submarines and their crews, and, train professional submariners.
His father, Leo Smith, and grandmother, Marie Smith, both reside in Rutherfordton, North Carolina.
