Journey to Command: The Naval Career of Captain J.c. Smith

By Carol Smith

Book Overview

This is not only the story of J.C. Smith's journey to his own command; it is the story of how his naval career advancements brought about the changing of the old rules.Written in first person by Carol Smith, she tells of her husband's remarkable career. Carol Smith has published two other books, "Inside Out" (fiction) and "Close To My Heart" (poetry.) The Smith's live in San Angelo, Texas, close to three of their four children and eight of their eleven grandsons.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1419647806
• ISBN13: 9781419647802
• Release Date: October 2006
• Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
• Length: 208 Pages
• Weight: 0.80 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.3" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Journey to Command by Carol Smith

What a great read about life in the Military as it really is. Written by the wife of a distinguished Naval aviator, this is a story about her husbands roller coast career ride. In frank terms, this book reveals how fate and dedication to duty can work through Chain of Command bureaucracies in order to accomplish great things for the service and our country. Captain Smith was the Radar Intercept Office in a Phantom Jet that shot down the very first MIG during our Viet Nam war. His career then migrated toward training and Captain Smith is credited with having established the famous Top Gun Air Combat School. Woven into the story of Captain Smith's career is another story about love and dedication to family. This is a story about life, about love, about duty and it is a story about the young warriors of our country that have kept our nation safe and secure through the years. Having just read the book, I feel proud.

I WAS THERE IN 1965

I WAS A NUGGET PILOT IN VF21 AND PROUDLY SERVED WITH LT SMITH.THE BOOK CONFIRMS HIS DEDICATION, DRIVE,INTELLIGENCE, RESPECT HE GIVES AND GETS, AND UNDERSCORES HIS MULTIPLE ABILITIES TO INSTRUCT, GUIDE BY EXAMPLE, EXUDE LEADERSHIP WITH COMPASSION,HUMOR AND UNDERSTANDING, AND PROFESS HIS LOVE OF COUNTRY,FAMILY ,AND FELLOW MAN. HE WAS A MENTOR AND GOOD FRIEND WHILE I WAS IN VF 21 AND MY FEELING HAVE NOT CHANGED AFTER ALL THESE YEARS. HE WAS THE RIO WITH CDR LEW PAGE AND GUIDED THE ATTACK FOR THE FIRST MIG KILL IN VIETNAM.HE ALSO RAMRODDED RESPECT FOR THE TWO MAN CREW CONCEPT BY DEMANDING EQUAL TREATMENT FOR RIOS AND PILOTS. THIS DEMAND SET THE STANDARD FOR ADVANCEMENT FOR RIOS TOWARDS COMMAND OF A FIGHTER SQUADRON. HAVING OBSERVED HIS INTESTIONAL FORTITUDE FIRST HAND, I CAN ONLY AGREE THAT HE DESERVED AND EARNED COMMAND AND HE GOT IT. I RECOMMEND THIS BOOK AS A MUST READ FOR OFFICERS AND LEADERS IN ANY BRANCH OF OUR ARMED FORCES,AS A GUIDE FOR MAINTAINING A MARRAGE AND A BALANCING ACT FOR GOD, COUNTRY, FAMILY AND COURAGE. NEVR FORGET TO INCLUDE A SENSE OF HUMORS.JC EPITOMISES THESE QUALITIES.IT WAS A SORRY DAY FOR THE NAVY TO LOSE THIS MAN THROUGH WELL DESERVED RETIREMENT. MIKE HANLEY

Air-toAir Combat: A History

I served as a Naval Aviator in a carrier-based squadron with J.C. Smith and was there when history was being made. It was the time when Naval Flight Officers (non-pilots) were first being tested in combat and would determine their career paths from then on. J.C. was the Radar Intercept Officer in the Phantom which shot down the very first MiG of the Viet Nam air war and would go on to establish the now-famous "Top Gun" air combat school at NAS Miramar. No graduate of this intensive course in aerodynamics and air-to-air tactics was ever downed by an enemy aircraft. The "Kill Ratio" improved ten-fold as graduates imparted their knowledge to their squadron mates and weapons' performance and reliability improved. It lead to new thinking on the importance of a close-in weapon (the 20 mm cannon), which is standard equipment on modern day fighters. J.C. proved that formerly "second class citizen" aviation officers could climb the promotional ladder to become Commanding Officers of squadrons, Air Wings and aircraft carriers. They could even become Admirals. His wife, Carol, has written a story of the love they shared while telling the story of J.C.'s battles with the Navy's bureaucracy in attaining the funds, new equipment and recognition of the skills needed to survive in the arena of Air to Air Combat.

Dynamic and well written true to life story!

Wow...where to start. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It only took me two days to read from beginning to end. I am an avid reader of many types of books and I usually spend weeks reading just one...but with this book, I literally had a hard time setting it down! I think of this book in two parts. On one side it is a detailed chronicle of one man's adventurous career in the military and on the other is a touching insight into the life and times of a lovingly devoted husband and father. I found it simply inspirational! I am also a military man and found the detailed look into the aviation community very interesting. There are many amazing true tales of Captain Smith's accomplishments. He had the first MIG kill in the Vietnam War, one of the original builders of the "Top Gun" school and it's first Commanding Officer, set the standards for all Radar Intercept Officers, earned many high level medals (way to many to list), but the one thing that stands above all other achievements, at least in my view that is, he was an inspirational leader! Captain Smith is the perfect example of what it takes to be a successful leader. He served his country in the most unselfish way, always looking out for his wingman, grooming countless young officers that would not have been successful without his mentorship, always stood up for what was right regardless the degree of pressure applied by his seniors, and when his career was on the line, he never buckled on doing the right thing, always took the heat and shielded those beneath him. A true leader by example! The writer also gives an in-depth look at who the man really is, in and out of uniform. You find out about the man inside, through personal letters sent to his wife and children while overseas in harms way. What a brave author to allow such a personal look into their lives! I dare say, the most amazing of feats in Captain Smith's life, was his ability to balance a very demanding career of service to country while maintaining a loving commitment to his family. The book transcends the dime a dozen military biography, by taking a courageous look into the life of not just the Naval Officer, but the "family man" as well. Sincerely, Mac Diehl

A unique and distinguised career

I must first admit to a bias in this review; I served as a junior officer under then Commander Smith when he was Executive Officer and later Commanding Officer of Fighter Squadron 114 in the early 1970's. It was an unforgettable experience. Carol Smith was a Navy Commander's wife during the times that I met her over those two years. There were certain bridges that a junior officer did not cross. A junior officer was to be polite and respectful of a Commander's wife, but things never went beyond polite and respectful small talk. Life long friendships were forged between the officers and spouses of equal rank, but not with those of higher rank. Thus, I never knew that Carol was a talented writer, nor did I ever know that Carol and Captain Smith carefully documented his unique career after his retirement from the U.S. Navy. Carol Smith has managed to capture the technical aspects of naval aviation, while telling a bigger story. That is no small accomplishment. Fortunately for all of us, the story has now been written and published. J.C. Smith was already a naval aviation legend when I was assigned to fly airplanes with VF-114 right out of flight school. Smith and Commander Lou Page had shot down the first MIG of the Vietnam War. Smith was a founding member of the Naval Fighter Weapons School (TOP GUN) - actually the first Commanding Officer. Smith was purported to know the F-4 Phantom better than any human alive. Smith did all this as a Radar Intercept Officer - and when I arrived at his office to report for duty as a lowly Ensign, Smith had been designated as the first RIO (Radar Intercept Officer) in the history of the U.S. Navy to command a fighter squadron at sea. I walked into his Executive Officer's office expecting to meet George Patton and be to be slapped down for having the mere insolence to report. Who I met was a professional and witty man, who for the next two years showed me how to approach a dangerous business in a professional manner - and who showed me how to enjoy every minute of it. The 'firsts' in Captain Smith's naval aviation career would be too long for me to list; which is why you should buy and read the book. The one that is most meaningful to me is the fact that Captain Smith was 'the' pioneer for naval aviation officers who were not pilots to move up the career ladder. Captain Smith was originally a Navy pilot. He still wears those wings today, but his career path was unique by any previous standard. Because of him a lack of 20-20 vision or a talent for weapons systems no longer became an impediment to full career advancement - from command of fighter or attack squadrons, to command of aircraft carriers, to Chief of Naval Operations. All Naval Flight Officers (non-pilot aviators) who hold command, or aspire to command, walk in the original footsteps of Captain Smith. I suspect my old Skipper might point to another achievement as more important to him, however. The founding of the Naval Fighter Weapons School led to a