Rear Adm. Kevin Smith, the Navy’s executive officer for its unmanned and small combatants program, was relieved of his duties due to a loss of confidence. (U.S. Navy)
WASHINGTON — A rear admiral was fired Tuesday after the Navy’s inspector general substantiated a complaint lodged against the senior leader, the service said.
Rear Adm. Kevin Smith, the Navy’s executive officer for its unmanned and small combatants program, was relieved of his duties due to a loss of confidence based on a complaint substantiated by an Office of the Naval Inspector General investigation.
The Navy did not respond to a request for additional information, including what the nature of the complaint was or when the complaint was filed. The U.S. military routinely cites only a vague “loss of confidence” when removing commanders and other leaders from positions of authority.
“The Navy maintains the highest standards for leaders and holds them accountable when those standards are not met,” the service said in a statement.
Smith was promoted to rear admiral in 2023 and was assigned as the executive officer for the Navy’s unmanned and small combatants program. The program falls under the Navy’s acquisition department and authorizes the design, development, build, maintenance and modernization of unmanned maritime systems, mine warfare systems, special warfare systems, expeditionary warfare systems and small surface combatants.
Smith was relieved by Brett Seidle, the acting assistant secretary of the Navy for research, development and acquisition. Melissa Kirkendall, executive director for the program, assumed temporary responsibilities. Smith was temporarily reassigned to the staff of Naval Sea Systems Command.
Smith has served on ship development teams multiple times throughout his career. He was a lead systems engineer and later a deputy program manager at the Dahlgren Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center. Smith also served as a test officer for the supervisor of shipbuilding, where he was responsible for combat system installation, activation, integration, test and trials for five new destroyers.
Smith has also served within the executive office for the Zumwalt-class destroyers and Constellation-class frigates. He was involved in the installation, test, trials, acceptance and delivery of the first two Aegis ashore missile defense systems planned for Romania and Poland.
Smith’s personal decorations include the Legion of Merit award, the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.
