AFCEA/USNI WEST 2026

Col Arlon Smith, USMC
Director of Project Dynamis
U.S. Marine Corps


Colonel Smith graduated from Indiana University with a bachelor’s degree in Economics and was commissioned in December 2001. After completing the Basic School and the Naval Intelligence Officer Basic Course, he reported to Marine Aircraft Group 26. From August 2003 to August 2005, he served as the Intelligence Officer for Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 167, deploying in 2004 in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. In August 2005, he assumed duties as Intelligence Officer, Marine Aircraft Group 26, deploying in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM from August 2005 to May 2006. From August 2007 to July 2009, he served as the Intelligence Officer of Marine Aircraft Group 13. During this period, he deployed for one year as the intelligence advisor for the 7th Iraqi Army Division in Al Anbar Province, Iraq. From August 2009 to June 2012, he served as the Marine Corps Training and Advisory Group’s Intelligence Officer. During this period, he served as the Operations Officer for the Republic of Georgia Training Team, leading pre-deployment training for the 33rd Georgian Infantry Battalion in Tbilisi, Georgia, from September 2010 to March 2011. From June 2013 to March 2014, he served as the Operations Officer for the 2nd Intelligence Battalion. From March 2014 to July 2016, he served as the Intelligence Officer for the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit. During this period, he deployed as the Intelligence Officer for the Special Purpose Marine Air Ground Task Force – Crisis Response – Africa from August 2014 to January 2015, and as the Intelligence Officer of the 26th Marine Expeditionary Unit aboard the KEARSARGE Amphibious Ready Group from October 2015 to April 2016. From July 2016 to June 2019, he was detailed to the Central Intelligence Agency Headquarters, serving as a Deputy Group Chief and Senior Marine Service Representative to the Director of the CIA. From June 2019 to June 2021, he served as the Commanding Officer of the Marine Cryptologic Support Battalion, the Service Cryptologic Component of the National Security Agency. From July 2021 to July 2022, he completed the Secretary of Defense Strategic Thinkers Program. From July 2022 to July 2024, he served as the Military Assistant to the Under Secretary of Defense for Policy. From July 2024 to August 2025, he served as the Director of the Intelligence Division, Capabilities Development Directorate for the Deputy Commandant, Combat Development and Integration. In August 2025, he assumed the role of the Director of Project Dynamis. Colonel Smith is a graduate of the Marine Aviation Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course and the Marine Corps Command and Staff College graduate. Additionally, he holds multiple advanced degrees, including a Master of Science in Business Administration from Boston University, a Master of Arts in Military Studies from Marine Corps University, and a Master of International Public Policy from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies in Washington, DC.

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