CNO Biography

Biography, Official Photo and Responsibilities

Navy’s Longest-Serving, Active Duty CPO Retires

Navy’s longest-serving, active duty Chief Petty Officer retires after 34 years of service on the CPO birthday.

MCPON Smith speaks during a press conference
WASHINGTON 01 Apr 2020
Navy’s Longest-Serving, Active Duty CPO Retires

Russell L. Smith

CNO Biography

Biography, Official Photo and Responsibilities


Video Gallery

210126-N-TR763-2001 WASHINGTON (Jan. 26, 2021) A video slate for Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Gilday and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Russ Smith's message to the Fleet regarding the COVID-19 vaccine. (U.S. Navy Graphic by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Nick Brown/Released)
Washington, District of Columbia Jan 27 2021
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Russel Smith highlights the importance of the COVID Vaccine for unit integrity during an interview at AFN Naples
AFN Naples MCPON Spotlight Show Jan 27 2021
210125-N-GG306-1001 WASHINGTON (January 25, 2021) Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Russell Smith delivers his congratulatory remarks to newest Chief Petty Officers for fiscal year 2021. (U.S. video by Jonathan Synder)
District of Columbia Jan 27 2021
On this episode of the AFN Europe Report: New foundations are laid as Operation Varsity concludes in Germany and the U.S. Navy announces a more than threefold increase in the number of sailors of the year.
AFN Europe Report October 27, 2020 Oct 28 2020
MANAMA, BAHRAIN (Nov. 8, 2020) Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Russell Smith visited Sailors and families stationed in Bahrain. MCPON Smith's goal was to better understand the quality of life, force protection challenges, and vital mission sets of U.S. Naval Forces Central Command units and the role they play in the region. (U.S. Navy video by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Lindsay Lair/Released)
MCPON visits Naval Support Activity Bahrain Nov 19 2020
The first MCPON of the Navy, recount Black's life, service, and struggles he faced as the first arbiter of the enlisted voice in Washington D.C. (U.S. Navy Video by Matthew Callahan)
Fort Meade, Maryland Oct 01 2020
Becoming a Navy Chief is a culmination of steadfast devotion and self-discipline learning, leading with character, and honing professional expertise.
ft meade, Maryland May 07 2020
A message from the 15th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, Master Chief Russell Smith commemorating the U.S. Navy's 245th birthday. (U.S. Navy video production by All Hands Magazine/ Navy Production, Defense Media Activity)
District of Columbia Oct 10 2020
CNO and MCPON update the Navy with a message to the fleet regarding COVID-19, March 30, 2020.
Washington, District of Columbia Mar 30 2020
WASHINGTON (March 23, 2019) Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. John Richardson administered the oath of enlistment to Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Russell Smith for his final reenlistment. Smith has served for 30 years and is re-enlisting for four years. He gave a speech to his family and friends in attendance for the ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Sarah Villegas/Released)
Washington, District of Columbia Mar 25 2019
200507-N-TR763-0001 GREAT LAKES, Ill. (May 7, 2020) Acting Secretary of the Navy James E. McPherson, Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday, and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Russ Smith visited Recruit Training Command, Great Lakes to visit with recruits and leadership to discuss COVID-19 measures. (U.S. Navy video by Chief Mass Communication Specialist Nick Brown/Released)
Great Lakes, Illinois May 07 2020

Photo Gallery

Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy shares wisdom and lessons on leadership with a group of Sailors training to become Chief Petty Officers at Camp Lemonnier from his Alabama home.
Camp Lemonnier, Djibouti Jan 06 2021
ROTA, Spain (Jan. 15, 2021) - Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. Mike Gilday and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Russ Smith address the crews of the Arleigh Burke-class guided-missile destroyers USS Roosevelt (DDG 80) and USS Ross (DDG 71) pier side. Gilday and Smith are visiting Rota to highlight the importance of warfighting and readiness to Sailors in the region. (U.S. Navy photo by Cmdr. Nate Christensen/Released)
ROAT, Spain Jan 15 2021
MCPON Russell Smith and Navy Surgeon General, Rear Adm. Bruce Gillingham speak at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
BETHESDA, Md. Dec 21 2020
MCPON Russell Smith recieves the COVID-19 Vaccine at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center
BETHESDA, Md. Dec 21 2020
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Russell Smith requests to come aboard the guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70).
PEARL HARBOR Dec 01 2020
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Russell Smith poses for a photo with Bill the Goat, the United States Naval Academy mascot.
Washington DC Dec 10 2020
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Russell Smith speaks with Sailors assigned to the guided-missile destroyer USS Hopper (DDG 70).
PEARL HARBOR Dec 01 2020
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy Russell Smith mentors a chief petty officer selectee.
BOSTON Dec 03 2020
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Russell Smith addresses the officers of USS Missouri (SSN 780) in the wardroom during a visit to Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii.
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii Nov 25 2020
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Russell Smith takes a selfie with chief selects, assigned to the Los Angeles-class fast-attack submarine USS Greeneville (SSN 772).
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii Nov 25 2020
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Russell Smith speaks with Sailors in Manama, Bahrain.
MANAMA, Bahrain Nov 06 2020
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Russell Smith visits USS Devastator (MCM 6).
MANAMA, Bahrain Nov 09 2020
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Russell Smith speaks with Sailors during lunch.
MANAMA, Bahrain Nov 06 2020
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Russell Smith speaks with Penelope Miller-Smith, Department of Defense Education Activity Bahrain's elementary principal, during a visit to the school.
MANAMA, Bahrain Nov 06 2020
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Russell Smith answers questions during an American Forces Network Bahrain radio show.
MANAMA, Bahrain Nov 10 2020
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy (MCPON) Russell Smith speaks with Sailors during an all hands call aboard the the future USS Delbert D. Black (DDG 119). The Navy will commission Delbert D. Black, the first ship in naval history to be named after the first MCPON.
PORT CANAVERAL, Fla. Sep 28 2020

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