Leslie Smith, recently-tasked as 66th inspector general of the U.S. Army, has been promoted to lieutenant general during a ceremony conducted Feb. 9 at Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.
With this, Smith replaces David Quantock who has stepped down from the role in February after years of service since December 2014, the Army said Wednesday.
Gen. Mark Milley, Army chief of staff, administered the ceremony that had soldiers and Smith’s family and friends in attendance.
Milley gave recognition to past officers who precede Smith, and also noted that the latter was among the few, out of over 6,000 second lieutenants, to have reached the rank of general officer.
Smith expressed his gratitude for the people in his life, as well as peers and officers within the Army, who have influenced his values and work as a commissioned officer.
