Veteran Spotlight: Ashlyn Smith

Lieutenant Colonel Ashlyn M. Smith

I served as a Combat Systems Officer in the U.S. Air Force and, after seven years on active duty, the Oklahoma Air National Guard, again as a Combat Systems Officer and later as a Judge Advocate.

Military service has run deep in my family for generations. My call to serve came following 9/11, which led me to enroll in R.O.T.C. and later commission as a Second Lieutenant in the U.S. Air Force.

I was deployed in support of the 2011 military intervention in Libya when news broke that the U.S. has successfully killed Osama bin Laden. I learned of the news after landing at the end of a nearly 16-hour mission in support of the Libyan no-fly zone. I remember that moment as vividly as 9/11.

Thanks to my military service, I was able to attend law school with the assistance of the G.I. Bill. As an attorney, I have offered pro bono services to various veteran groups and individual veterans experiencing service-related hardships. I also maintain close friendships with many of my fellow servicemembers.

How did your military service shape your view of leadership and teamwork?

The rigorous training and demanding environment taught me the importance of discipline and attention to detail. I learned to stay calm under pressure, which has been invaluable in both my personal and professional life. Teamwork was another crucial lesson. Working closely with others, often in high-stress situations, taught me the value of trust and collaboration. Serving my country gave me a broader perspective on life and a strong sense of purpose. These experiences have made me more resilient and adaptable, qualities that I carry with me every day.

What could civilians or your workplace do to better support veterans?

Say thank you and appreciate the sacrifice service members and their families make to keep our country free.