Joshua Smith

Technical Sergeant, US Air Force
Bachelor of Science in Emergency Services Administration with an emphasis in Emergency
Management, Utah Valley University

Retired (TSgt) Joshua was born and raised in Fairfield, Montana. His childhood and teenage years were spent working on the family ranch and he received the Eagle Scout Award at age 14. Following graduation, he served a two-year church service mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints from 1996-1998 in Connecticut and Rhode Island. Upon returning home he decided to move to Utah where he spent the next five and a half years. 

While working full-time, he attended Utah Valley University taking college courses. Joshua enlisted in the Air Force in 2003 and arrived at Lackland AFB, Texas, in November 2003 for Basic Military Training. In June 2008, Joshua was attending Combat Survival School, Non-Parachuting and Helicopter Dunker Egress training courses. He was placed in a small culvert during POW Camp/Resistance Training and sustained major injuries resulting in two hip replacements, right shoulder and right elbow surgeries, and severe degenerative joint disease/arthritis in both knees and ankle joints. Joshua also sustained a cervical strain to the neck and severe thoracolumbar spine degenerative joint disease to the lower back. After 13 years of service, Joshua was medically retired in November 2016.

Following his time in service Joshua decided to return to school at Utah Valley University to study Emergency Services Administration with an emphasis in Emergency Management. He was accepted to Sentinels of Freedom and received a nominal subsidy during his 2 years of schooling allowing him to focus on his studies and support his family. Joshua also received mentoring through a partnership with American Corporate Partners (ACP), and support with his resume as he approached graduation. Josh now works as a Behavior Specialist at Provo City School District assisting children in grades K – 6 th grade.

He and his wife, Michelle, enjoy raising their 5 children and Joshua actively participates in the Air Force Wounded Warrior Program competing in the Warrior Games and mentoring new warriors going to AFW2 warrior camps.

“I am eternally indebted to the entire SOF Program, Mike, and the entire staff. You have provided my family and I with a housing subsidy, very personal and constant communication, friendship, love, support, and true genuine compassion. I have thoroughly enjoyed the proactiveness you have taken to ensure our entire family has always felt wanted, needed, and cared for. The mentoring, networking, coaching, and planning assistance with the transition from active duty to civilian, and full-time college student life has been so much easier because of all of you at SOF.”