Davis Wright Tremaine's Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, in partnership with the Veterans Affinity Group, was proud to welcome Colonel Kurt Smith (ret.) for a presentation honoring Veterans Day on Monday, November 4, 2024. This program was part of our regular DEI Education series.
Col. Kurt Smith (ret.) began his service in the U.S. Army in 1987, rising through the ranks before commissioning as an infantry officer in 1996. Over his 33-year career, Col. Smith served in the U.S. Army Rangers, holding leadership roles in four Ranger Battalions, as well as in a Special Mission Unit. His experience spans specialized operations and elite military teams, and his combat deployments took him to Panama, Somalia, Iraq, and Afghanistan. Before retiring, Col. Smith served as Deputy Regimental Commander of the Old Guard at Arlington National Cemetery. After leaving the Army, Col. Smith served as the Director of Training for a boutique physical security firm.
During this event, Col. Smith touched on his experiences in the U.S. Army Rangers and Special Mission Unit, Somalia in 1993, as well as challenges that face the Special Forces community while in service and when transitioning to civilian careers. This event was moderated by U.S. Army Veteran Richard Kim, a DWT Associate in the Real Property Practice Group.