Wing Commander
COLONEL JENNIFER SMITH
Colonel Jennifer L. Smith is the Missouri Wing Commander of the Civil Air Patrol, a non-profit, benevolent organization devoted to humanitarian activities, and by law the official auxiliary of the United States Air Force.
Colonel Smith has served as the Vice Commander for Missouri Wing before being selected as the Missouri Wing Commander and is currently responsible for CAP operations in the state of Missouri. She oversees more than 900 members in almost 30 units across the state.
Colonel Smith is a native of St. Charles County, Missouri. She attended Central Missouri State University and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business administration. She currently works as the planning and exercise officer for St. Charles County Regional Emergency Management.
Colonel Smith first joined Civil Air Patrol in 1991 as a cadet with the Wentzville Composite Squadron and completed the CAP cadet program earning its highest award, the General Carl A. Spaatz Award, in 1996. As a cadet she participated in the International Air Cadet Exchange program where she travelled to Switzerland representing the United States.
Colonel Smith returned to CAP in 2012 when her son joined and served in multiple positions with the Wentzville Composite Squadron including Deputy Commander for Cadets, Deputy Commander, and Commander. She has served on wing encampment staff for five years, including two years as encampment commander, as Missouri Wing Group II’s Director of Cadet Programs, and most recently as the Missouri Wing Chief of Staff of Missions from 2019 to 2022. Colonel Smith has continuously served as a Character Development Instructor since 2013.
Colonel Smith’s Civil Air Patrol awards include the USAF Organizational Excellence Award, Exceptional Service Award, Meritorious Service Award with Clasp, three Commander’s Commendations, two CAP Achievement Awards, Crisis Service Award, Benjamin O. Davis, Jr. Award, Grover Loening Award, Paul E. Garber Award, and the Gill Robb Wilson Award. She was named the Missouri Wing Cadet Junior Officer of the Year for 1993, Missouri Wing Squadron Commander of the Year for 2018, Missouri Wing and North Central Region Character Development Instructor of the Year for 2019, and received the Torch Award in 2021. Colonel Smith holds master ratings in Professional Development, Character Development, Cadet Programs, and Command.
Colonel Smith lives in Lincoln County, Missouri. She is married to Jay, her husband of 25 years. They have one son, Justin, who also completed the CAP cadet program and earned his General Carl A. Spaatz Award in 2019.
