Captain Leslie Smith

Leslie Smith is a Public Affairs Specialist with the Department of Defense in Virginia after having been medically retired as a Captain in the Army with 12 years. Her military career began in May 1991 with a commission from the Georgetown University Army ROTC program. Leslie was assigned to the Chemical (Nuclear, Biological, Chemical) Corps and attended the Chemical Officer Basic Course at Fort McClellan, Alabama. She later volunteered to attend the Army’s Public Affairs School at Fort Meade, Maryland. Leslie proceeded to hold a variety of both exciting and demanding assignments throughout her proud Army career.

However, Leslie was completely unaware her life was about to change forever during Operation Joint Forge, an eight-month peacekeeping deployment to Bosnia-Herzegovina. Unfortunately, Leslie became ill two weeks before completing the deployment and was sent back to the United States. From there, Leslie was admitted to Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C. and doctors diagnosed her with a rare blood disorder. Complications from this disorder led to the amputation of Leslie’s left leg just below the knee and major tissue loss over both legs. She spent seven long months at Walter Reed, undergoing more than 20 operations, in intensive care, recovery and rehabilitation. Leslie beat the odds and emerged with a new outlook on life.

Now Leslie is actively involved with fellow wounded military service members by personally visiting and encouraging them and their families at Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Brooke Army Medical Center in San Antonio and Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego. Leslie is a qualified “peer visitor” with the Amputee Coalition of America and can visit disabled veterans at their bedside. She motivates wounded warriors to overcome their physical challenges through athletics, just as she has done, and assures them they will be up and running again. Since her injuries, Leslie has completed four marathons, one triathlon and was recruited to try-out for the U.S. Paralympics Women’s Sitting Volleyball team for the 2008 Paralympic Games in Beijing, China.

Through her work with the wounded warriors, Leslie has become a strong advocate and serves in leadership positions with several organizations that support disabled veterans. Most recently, Leslie received training from the Wounded Warriors Disabled Sports Project to serve as a Mentor for kids with disabilities. She attended the Endeavor Games in Oklahoma City to meet her new “mentee” and provide motivation and encouragement during the athletic events. Her mentee ended up winning six gold medals!

Leslie also serves as the National Outreach Coordinator for the Achilles Track Club, a running club for people with disabilities, in New York City. The Achilles Track Club formed the Freedom Team, a group of 100+ disabled service members who compete in marathons across the nation. Leslie had the honor of accepting an award on behalf of the Freedom Team at a luncheon hosted by the Just One Break (JOB) organization in New York City. Leslie travels and represents the Achilles Freedom Team at various conventions and forums for disabled veterans.

Leslie has taken an active role with the United States Olympic Committee Paralympic Military Program where she assists with the development of future programs and sporting events for wounded warriors. She was personally invited to participate in this capacity by the Director of the program.

Leslie has been recognized as a strong spokesperson and now represents fellow injured service members as a National Spokesperson for the American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial that will be built in Washington, D.C. She has been paired with actor, Gary Sinise, for interviews and events in effort to raise money for the Memorial. Gary Sinise serves as the official National Spokesperson for the Memorial.

Leslie had the opportunity to address the White House Medical Unit, members of Congress on Capitol Hill and many other related groups and organizations. She was the guest speaker at the DoD’s Women’s History Month observance. Her story has been covered locally and nationally in print and broadcast media including Good Morning America, FOX News Live, Pentagon Channel, USA Today and an upcoming story to be featured in Woman’s World magazine, where she spreads her positive message, “AMPlify Your Life!”