Greens Farms Native Promoted to Vice Admiral

In a change of command ceremony on Friday, Oct. 24 at the historic Admiral Leutze Park on the Washington Navy Yard in Washington, D.C., Vice Adm. Dixon R. Smith relieved Vice Adm. William D. French as Commander, Navy Installations Command (CNIC). A world-class enterprise, CNIC is responsible for managing shore installation support for the Navy’s fleet, fighter and family under the Chief of Naval Operations. The organization is comprised of 11 Regions and 69 navy installations world-wide, with approximately 52,000 military and civilian personnel.

Minutes before the ceremony, Adm. Jonathan Greenert, Chief of Naval Operations, promoted Smith to the rank of Vice Adm. in a small ceremony held in French’s home in front of family and friends. During Smith’s remarks at the ceremony, he expressed his sincere appreciation for the opportunity to lead the organization. “I am honored and deeply humbled by your faith and confidence in me,” said Smith. “I’m excited by the opportunity for continued service to our navy and our nation.”

Smith also stressed the importance of the CNIC mission.“We are in a unique position within our Navy where we have the privilege to serve those who serve their country,” Smith offered. “Our responsibility is our sailors, their families, and our civilian employees throughout the Navy who depend on us.”

Smith is the fifth commander since the command’s inception in 2003. Originally from Greens Farms, Conn., Smith graduated from Staples High School in 1978 and then entered the Naval Academy Preparatory School in Annapolis, Md. He received his commission from the United States Naval Academy in 1983 and was designated a surface warfare officer in 1985.

Smith has had a distinguished career serving around the world both at sea and ashore. His first sea tour was aboard USS Miller (FF 1091) out of (homeport), where he worked as first lieutenant and damage control assistant. Follow-on assignments at sea included positions as operations officer aboard USS Jarrett (FFG 33), participating in Operation Desert Storm; operations officer aboard USS Gridley (CG 21), participating in the establishment of Operation Southern Watch over Southern Iraq; and executive officer aboard USS Antietam (CG 54). Later in his career, Smith transitioned to lead shore installations including Commander, Naval Surface Group Middle Pacific in Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii; Commander, Navy Region Hawaii; Commander, Navy Region Southwest in San Diego; and, most recently, Commander, Region Mid Atlantic in Norfolk, Va. prior to arriving in Washington, D.C.

Smith is the son of Glenn Litch West, of Lake Oswego, Ore. and James Lesesne Smith of Sister, Ore.