WASHINGTON — A Maryland lawmaker — who typically serves the people of Montgomery County in Annapolis — is opening up about how he was chosen to serve his country overseas in Afghanistan.
Sen. Will Smith of Silver Spring, a Democrat representing District 20, is an intelligence officer in the Navy Reserve.
“When you’re in the reserves, the military maintains what is affectionately known as a short list,” Smith said. “My name had slowly been ticking up closer to the top of that list, so I knew that it was coming.”
Smith announced Wednesday that he received word from the Pentagon that he would be headed to Afghanistan at the end of March.
The 2019 legislative session is scheduled to end in early April, so Smith will be leaving before everything is completely wrapped up in the General Assembly.
“It does pose some complications, but we’ve been working diligently to ensure that there will be minimal impacts to the final agenda,” Smith explained.
Although Smith said he was not able to provide details on where he will be going and what he will be doing, his office said he would be part of “Operation Resolute Support,” a NATO-led mission to train, advise and assist Afghan forces.
“I’m excited to go, and it’s a tremendous honor to be in this position,” Smith said. “Republicans, Democrats, the governor and everyone has been supportive, so it’s been great.”
State officials, including Gov. Larry Hogan, have been publicly thanking Smith for his service.
“We feel an immeasurable sense of gratitude,” Hogan wrote in a series of tweets. “Our prayers and full support go to Senator Will Smith and his family as he readies for deployment to Afghanistan at the end of next month.”
Smith holds a leadership role in the Senate Judicial Proceedings Committee. His announcement came the day after Senate Republicans secured rule changes that prevent shuffling committee membership during the session and will prevent Smith from being temporarily replaced.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
