Colonel Schmidt was born in Telluride, Colorado in April 1965. He received a Bachelor of Science Degree in Construction Engineering from The University of Nebraska on 07 May 1988 and was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. Upon completion of The Basic School in December of 1988, he reported for flight training at NAS Pensacola to begin his Naval Aviation training. After completing Aviation Indoctrination he then reported to training at NAS Corpus Christ, TX to complete his primary flight training. After completion of primary flight training he then reported to NAS Chase Field Beeville, Texas for Jet training on January of 1990. Upon his successful completion of jet training he was then designated a Naval Aviator in January 1991. After receiving his wings, 1st Lt Schmidt reported to VMFAT-101 at MCAS El Toro for Fleet Replacement Training (FRS) in the F/A-18 Hornet. In November of 1991, 1st Lt Schmidt reported to VMFA-451, MCAS Beaufort, as the S-4 (A) and later Power Line Officer. After completing multiple deployments, Capt Schmidt was selected to help stand up a new F/A-18 Squadron and deploy to combat with them. He reported to the newly stood up VMFA(AW)-332 as the Quality Assurance Officer in April of 1994 and deployed to Aviano Italy in September 1994 in support of Operation Deny Flight Provide Promise in Bosnia Herzogovenia. In August 1995, Captain Schmidt reported for duty to VMFAT-101, MCAS El Toro as a F/A-18 Instructor Pilot. His numerous jobs while being an Instructor Pilot included Pilot Scheduling Officer, Ground Attack Phase Officer and Instructor Under Training Officer. In May of 1998, Capt Schmidt transferred to the Marine Corps Reserve and reported to VMFA-142 in NAS Atlanta as the Pilot Training Officer. Promoted to Major in June of 1998 while on deployment to the Pacific Missle Test Range, Maj Schmidt flew his 2,000 hour in the F/A-18 while deploying a Walleye II and sinking a Naval Destroyer. While flying with VMFA-142 Maj Schmidt held many jobs to include, Assistant Operations Officer, Operations Officer, Assistant Maintenance Officer, Maintenance Officer, Executive Officer and was screened and slated to become Commanding Officer but VMFA-142 was cadred before assuming command. Promoted during this tenure to the rank of LtCol, LtCol Schmidt participated in many deployments from the Pacific Rim to Europe. Just some of the countries that VMFA-142 deployed to were Norway, Germany, Sweden, and Denmark. Most notably VMFA-142 was the first Marine Reserve Fighter Squadron to activate and deploy to war since the Korean war. VMFA-142 activated and deployed to Al Asad Iraq in February of 2005 to take part in OIF 04 as part of the Global War on Terrorism. In June of 2008 LtCol Schmidt, as the Executive Officer, helped to de-activate VMFA-142 and Cadre the flag for future activation. LtCol Schmidt reported to TAC Battle Staff Southeast as the Executive Officer. Deploying once in support of 2nd Marine Air Wing TAC Battle Staff Southeast was then absorbed by AC2T located in Great Lakes Michigan. Colonel Schmidt, as part of AC2T, held the billets to include operations Officer, Pacific Theatre Action Officer, Assistant Director and now currently holds the Director of AC2T Billet. During this time LtCol Schmidt was promoted to Colonel and deployed numerous times to Osan Korea as part of the MARLO Battle Staff. Billets to include were Strategy Division MARLO, MAAP MARLO, Deputy MARLO and MARLO. Colonel Schmidt also deployed to Al Udied Qatar, 609th AOC as the Battle Director from September 2013 to April 2014. Colonel Schmidt’s personal decorations include the Legion of Merrit, Meritorious Service Medal, Nine Strike/Flight Awards, Two Navy Commendation Medals, Two Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal with “M”, Selected Marine Corps Reserve Medal (6th award), and the Humanitarian Service Medal.
Rotary Club of Roswell
Bill Johnson Community Activity Building
10495 Woodstock Road
Roswell, GA 30075