MSG Russell Smith
Field First Sergeant
U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps

Master Sergeant Russell (Rusty) Smith was born in Atlanta, GA and raised in Greenville, North Carolina, home of the best BBQ in the world!  He joined the Army and was assigned to The United States Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps in October of 1994.

MSG Smith started to play trumpet at age 7. He studied trumpet with Bill Frazier, James Searl, Thomas Huener, and Britt Theurer.

MSG Smith has held many duty assignments within The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps including Bugle Arranger, Drill Writer, Supply Sergeant, Drum Major, Operations/Training NCOIC, Bugle Group Leader, and Field First Sergeant.  As the Head Drum Major MSG Smith lead the Corps at White House Arrivals for visiting dignitaries such as Queen Elizabeth II and Pope Benedict XVI.

In addition to his performance and leadership experience within the Fife and Drum Corps, MSG Smith taught middle school band at Northwoods Park Middle School in Jacksonville, NC and performed with the 15-time World Champion Drum and Bugle Corps, the Blue Devils in 1991.  He has written drill for many local high school bands and performed with the Tom Cunningham Jazz Orchestra and DC area Salsa and Merengue bands.

MSG Smith received a Bachelor of Music in Music Education from East Carolina University in 1994 and completed a Masters in Music Education from George Mason University in 2013.

MSG Smith lives in Arlington, VA with his wife Lisa Gibbs Smith and their two daughters Audrey and Lauren.