Maj Walter T. Smith
Major Walter T. Smith is the Director, Deparment of Cyberspace Studies, School of Strategic Force Studies, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio. In this capacity, he leads 10 military and civilian instructors to develop and deliver premiere continuing education through Cyberspace 200 and Cyberspace 300, producing up to 704 joint and total force students annually.
Prior to his current assignment, Major Smith served as Operations Officer for the Enterprise Cyberspace Defense Branch, United States Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida. In this capacity, he led a global 72-member total force team, driving priorities for defensive countermeasures, continuous monitoring, and response to protect the $660 million Special Operations Forces Information Environment.
Major Smith received his commission in the Air Force as a graduate from Fayetteville State University, North Carolina, through the Reserve Officer Training Corps in 2012.
EDUCATION
2012 Bachelor of Science, Computer Science, magna cum laude, Fayettevile State University, Fayetteville, N.C.
2012 Undergraduate Cyberspace Training, Keesler AFB, Miss.
2015 Master of Arts in Information Technology Management, Webster University, St. Louis, Mo.
2016 Squadron Officer School, Maxwell AFB, Ala.
2024 Air Command and Staff College, Maxwell AFB, Ala. (non-resident)
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 2012 – December 2012, Student, Undergraduate Cyber Training, 333rd Training Squadron, Keesler AFB, Miss.
2. December 2012 – January 2016, Officer In Charge, Network Operations; later Deputy Flight Commander, Plans and Resources; later Director of Operations, 19th Communications Squadron, Little Rock AFB, Ark.
3. January 2016 – July 2019, Watch Officer; later Senior Duty Officer; later Executive Officer, 624th Operations Center, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Tex.
4. July 2019 – September 2021, Flight Commander, 321st Training Squadron, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Tex.
5. September 2021 – June 2023, Operations Officer, Defensive Cyberspace Plans and Operations Branch, Communications Directorate (J6), United States Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.
6. June 2023 – December 2023, Deputy Director, Communications Directorate (J6), Combined Special Operations Joint Task Force – Levant, Union III, Baghdad, Iraq.
7. December 2023 – September 2024, Operations Officer, Enterprise Cyberspace Defense Branch, Communications Directorate (J6), United States Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.
8. September 2024 – present, Cyberspace Instructor; later Director, Department of Cyberspace Studies, School of Strategic Force Studies, Air Force Institute of Technology, Wright-Patterson Air Foce Base, Oh.
SUMMARY OF JOINT ASSIGNMENTS
1. September 2021 – June 2023, Operations Officer, Defensive Cyberspace Plans and Operations Branch, Communications Directorate (J6), United States Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., as a major
2. June 2023 – December 2023, Deputy Director, Communications Directorate (J6), Combined Special Operations Joint Task Force – Levant, Union III, Baghdad, Iraq., as a major
3. December 2023 – September 2024, Operations Officer, Enterprise Cyberspace Defense Branch, Communications Directorate (J6), United States Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla., as a major
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Defense Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Combat Readiness Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant 23 May 2012
First Lieutenant 23 May 2014
Captain 23 May 2016
Major 01 June 202
(Current as of Sep 2026)