Smith Hall medical instruction facility dedicated during ceremony

  • Published
  • By Jon Stock
  • Air Force Surgeon General Public Affairs
SAN ANTONIO (AFNS) --  A new medical instructional facility honoring the United States Air Force's first Sergeant Major for the Air Force Medical Service was dedicated during a ceremony at the Medical Education and Training Campus (METC) at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, Aug.12.

Smith Hall was named after the late Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Raymond T. Smith, in recognition of his contributions throughout 30 years of service, and his service as the first enlisted senior NCO for the entire Air Force Medical Service.

"Visionary, groundbreaking, foundational ... descriptors of a leader who dedicated his career to furthering others capabilities," said Chief Master Sgt. Charlie Cole, the Chief of Air Force Medical Enlisted Force, during the ceremony. "He was truly a giant, an exceptional leader in the AFMS."

Among other dignitaries attending the event were three of Chief Smith's four sons, including Army Sgt. Major Dan Smith, who also spoke to the crowd during the facility dedication.

"He was a role model who demonstrated duty, respect and honor every day he was part of our lives," said Sgt. Major. Smith. "Having this facility to carry on his legacy is an honor and a great symbol of his lifetime achievement."

METC is the largest consolidation of military training in the history of the Defense Department, and the largest medical technical education institution in the world.

In recognition of the uniqueness of the METC's tri-service mission, the Army, Navy and Air Force were each given the opportunity to dedicate one of the instructional facilities to honor a member of the medical enlisted force from that service.