Lieutenant Colonel Michael P. Smith is a native of Lakeville, Massachusetts. He attended the Platoon Leaders Course (PLC) Juniors in 2008 and PLC Seniors in 2009 at Officer Candidate School. He graduated from Northeastern University in 2009 with a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminal Justice and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in January 2010.
Upon completing The Basic School and the Infantry Officer Course in Quantico, Virginia, Second Lieutenant Smith was assigned to 1st Battalion, 2d Marines in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. While there, he served as a Rifle Platoon Commander, Afghan National Security Forces Liaison, Weapons Company Executive Officer, and Weapons Company Commander.
From March to December 2012, First Lieutenant Smith deployed as a Rifle Platoon Commander with the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard the USS Gunston Hall (LSD-44). The following year, he deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, from July to November 2013 as the Afghan National Security Forces Liaison with 2d Marine Regiment Headquarters, Task Force Belleau Wood, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) 13.2. In 2014, he deployed again to Afghanistan with 1st Battalion, 2d Marines as the Weapons Company Executive Officer from April to November in support of OEF 14.2. Upon redeployment, Captain Smith assumed command of Weapons Company, relinquishing command in February 2015.
In March 2015, Captain Smith reported to the School of Infantry-West, Advanced Infantry Training Battalion (AITB), where he served as the Operations Officer and the Advanced Courses Officer-in-Charge at Infantry Unit Leaders Training Company (IULTC). In April 2016, he assumed the role of Battalion Operations Officer for the AITB, remaining in that position until leaving active duty in February 2017 to pursue a career in law enforcement.
Captain Smith joined the Selected Marine Corps Reserve in August 2017 and was assigned to Weapons Company, 2d Battalion, 23d Marines (2/23) in Port Hueneme, California, in October, where he served as the Company Executive Officer. In June 2018, he activated with the battalion at the Intermediate Location (ILOC) aboard the Marine Air Ground Combat Center (MCAGCC) at Twentynine Palms, CA, and completed Integrated Training Exercise (ITX) 5-18 as Battalion Fire Support Coordinator. Captain Smith deployed in support of Unit Deployment Program (UDP) 19.1 to Okinawa, Japan, from September 2018 to March 2019, deactivating in May 2019.
In August 2019, he assumed command of Weapons Company, 2d Battalion, 23d Marines. During this period, Major Smith led Weapons Company during multiple unit-level exercises and Annual Training Events, including ITX 4-21. In March 2022, Major Smith relinquished command and assumed the role of Battalion Operations Officer. During his time as Operations Officer, the battalion successfully executed Mountain Training Exercise 4-23 at Mountain Warfare Training Center (MWTC), Bridgeport, CA. In January 2024, he was assigned as the Battalion Executive Officer. During his tour as Battalion XO, the battalion activated in support of UDP 25.1, including completion of SLTE 1-25 aboard MCAGCC. From February to August 2025, he deployed with 2d Battalion, 23d Marines to Okinawa and the Republic of Korea, where 2/23 participated in numerous III MEF Operations, Activities, and Investments. The battalion deactivated in October 2025.
In March 2026, Lieutenant Colonel Smith assumed his current command of 2d Battalion, 23d Marines. His personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal (x3), the Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.