Robert Smothers

Colonel Robert Smothers was born January 3, 1964 at Little Rock, Arkansas. A native of Lonoke Arkansas, he graduated from Lonoke High School in 1982. Colonel Smothers is currently enrolled in the United States Army War College and has a Bachelor of Arts from Philander Smith College. Colonel Smothers and his wife Julie live in Central Arkansas with their two children Lee and Brooke.

Colonel Smothers began his military career by enlisting in the Arkansas Army National Guard in January 1984 and spent four years as a Combat Medic in the 39th Support Battalion. He received his commission from Officer Candidate School (OCS) in 1988, with class #31.
Colonel Smothers served in a variety of command and staff assignments throughout his career to include: Commander 739th Ordnance Detachment; Commandant, Troop Command; Commander Bravo Company, 39th Support Battalion; Garrison Commander, Robinson Maneuver Training Center; Aide-de-camp for the Adjutant General; Assistant Battalion Adjutant (S1), Headquarters 39th Infantry Brigade; Battalion Adjutant (S1), Headquarters 39th Support Battalion; and a variety of Joint Force Headquarters staff positions to include Deputy Chief of Staff Information Management (DCSIM/G6/J6) and his culminating assignment as the Deputy Chief of Staff, Personnel (G1).

Colonel Smothers developed and directed the first Support Division for the Arkansas DCSIM. He was a major contributor to the initial fielding of the Reserve Component Automation System (RCAS). He established the policies and procedures to implement and manage software development, the State's homepage and the first SharePoint Portal. Throughout his career he has served in all of the full time G6 positions in the State of Arkansas, to include the Deputy Chief of Staff for Information Management for over five years.

Colonel Smothers was crucial to the success of the States network and radio capability upgrades. As a National Leader for the Signal Community he served as the Regional and Vice-Chair for the National Guard Bureau's J6 Functional Area Council. He aided in many national level initiatives to the States and Territories. He also served on the C4IM Council for NGAUS. Colonel Smothers was a key player on the J6 Working Group and assisted in developing the Joint Incident Site Communications Capability concept. From 2010-2013 he served on the State of Arkansas Governor's executive council. During this time period he was critical to the development of the Arkansas Wireless Information Network.

Colonel Smothers has received numerous awards and decorations to include: Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal (5th award), Army Commendation (2nd award), Army Achievement Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal (9th award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Armed Forces Reserve Medal (3rd Award), Armed Forces Reserve Medal with M Device, Army Service Ribbon, Arkansas Distinguished Service Medal (2nd award), Arkansas Federal Service Ribbon, Arkansas Service Ribbon (6th award), Arkansas Emergency Service Ribbon, Arkansas National Guard General Staff Badge and the Bronze Order of Mercury.
Visitation will be Thursday, May 7th, 2015 from 6:00-8:00 p.m. at the Smith-North Little Rock Funeral Home (1921 Main St.) Funeral services will be Friday, 10:00 a.m. May 8th at North View Missionary Baptist Church (800 Page Mill Rd., North Little Rock, AR 72117). Burial will be in Arkansas State Veterans Cemetery. Please visit www.SmithFamilyCares.com for online guest register.
The family requests no flowers be sent. A scholarship fund for Robert's children has been established at Regions Bank. Contributions can be made by going to any Regions Bank and depositing into: Robert Smothers Children's Fund, C/O Julie Smothers, account number 0191941148. You can also mail your donation to Regions Bank, 3600 Cantrell RD, Suite 100, Little Rock, AR, 72202.