Twenty years and seven months. That’s how long Jim Smith heroically served his country in one of the most selfless ways possible—as a dedicated member of the US army. Across his two decades of service, Smith was a sergeant and at many times was asked to do the duties of an officer and a captain. He earned a spot in the Airborne and Ranger Training Brigade Hall of Fame as a Distinguished Brigade Member, which is awarded to nominee Rangers for “selfless service to the Airborne and Ranger Communities and the Nation,” according to Smith. He was nominated for his 20 altruistic years in the army, and his contributions to the community. Smith has foster-parented 34 Lane County children, and adopted two boys with his wife, Kristie Smith. 

Mr. Smith’s military journey peaked with the elite ranks of the U.S. Army Rangers. “My career highlights included serving in Ranger School, Scrolled Units—2nd 75th Infantry—as an original member, and being hand-selected to work with the Blue Light Anti-Terrorism Team,” he says. That selection placed him on the Falcon Force, a unit of rangers chosen to help with the two-year creation of Delta Force, which is an elite anti-terrorism unit of the US army. 

During Smith’s service at the Ranger Department, he was given the assignment of writing and implementing lesson plans for student rangers as well as coordinating the support for the desert phase of instruction, which focused on training soldiers to operate in desert regions. He also started the General David Grange Best Ranger Competition, which in its first four years expanded into an army-wide contest, going from six teams competing in 1982 to over 50 teams in 2025. 

Smith recalls his other duties in the ARTB, “I served on Rangers Team delivering ranger week of instruction to the Officers Candidate School and Infantry Officers Course...I assisted other teams by lane-walking as instructor or grader with ranger students. I later served as their brigade level assistant Operations Sergeant and Operations Sergeant responsible for coordination of all support for the four Ranger School phases."

While Mr. Smith’s army career was incredible, he also was a member of the Marcola school district board. “My role is currently a Marcola School District Board Member, however in the nearly 25 years I have served in all positions. Board member, Vice Chairman of the Board, and six years as Chairman of the Board of Directors.”

After the tragic 9/11 terrorist attacks on the twin towers, President George Bush asked the nation to consider volunteering as soldiers or police in their communities. According to Mr. Smith, “My wife Kristie said 'no' to my going to Iraq as a contractor due to us having young children. Her friend on the MSD Board, Delana Hanson, suggested I get involved. Delana said the School District wanted to work on passing a Bond for the district. I saw an opportunity when there was a vacancy on the Budget Committee, and I started to attend Board Meetings. In about 2003, there was an unfilled term vacancy due to a board member moving out of district so I interviewed with three others and was selected by the board to serve. Two years later, once the position was up for election, I ran and won in that Lane County Election.”

During his time on the Marcola board, Mr. Smith assisted and spearheaded many projects, including being one of the board members to vote in favor of TNW’s founding. “I chaired the Facility Action Committee made up of community and board members. We decided to build a new elementary school and, in 2015, that was accomplished and I led the kids on their walk to their new school. I voted to start TEACH Northwest and later authorized its board… Along the way, we were recognized by ODE as a high functioning board, of having a great superintendent/board relationship, and of having a model Public School and Charter School relationship."

GALLERY

Jim Smith's ARTB Hall of Fame certificate.

Ranger class 13-82, of which Jim Smith was the TAC NCO, a primary mentor to the class.