October 4, 2023
By Landry Brewer
John Paul Smith has risen to rare heights while serving his country.
The 1991 Elk City High School graduate was recently promoted to the rank of full Colonel in the United States Army.
Smith’s promotion was effective October 1, though a public ceremony will be held October 5 at Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington.
“Full Colonel is a rank I never thought I would achieve,” Smith said.
Only about 2% of active-duty Army soldiers become a Colonel.
Smith started as a private when he joined 29 years ago, and he’s risen the roughly 20 military ranks to full Colonel.
This required completing Officer Basic and Advance Courses, earning a master’s degree, serving as an officer for more than 22 years, attending numerous advanced-level military schools, demonstrating the potential for senior, executive, and strategic-level responsibilities, and receiving exceptional annual evaluations. Finally, Smith had to be selected among his peers by a board of strategic-level personnel that assessed the strength of his complete military record.
After graduating from Chaminade University with a bachelor’s degree in psychology, Smith earned two master’s degrees from the Assemblies of God Theological seminary in Springfield, Missouri, then a Ph.D. in Organizational Leadership from Regent University.
Last June, he also graduated from the U.S. Army War College with a master’s degree in strategic studies.
“Not only is this promotion important to me, but it’s important to my family,” Smith said. “It’s because of their constant encouragement and support that I’m able to serve at this next level of leadership.”
A Chaplain, Smith is stationed at the United States Army Japan, Camp Zama, Japan, just outside of Tokyo. This assignment as Command Chaplain could last up to three years.
Copyright 2023 Paragon Communications. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed without permission.
GoFundMe Established for Family of Elk City Teen Killed in Crash
Elk City, OK – A GoFundMe has been launched to support the family of 17-year-old Chaston Adams, the Elk City High School student who lost his life in a car crash northwest of Elk City on Saturday.
Justice Served in Detroit: Elk City Police Officers Testify in Homicide Trial
Detroit, MI – Elk City Police Department officers Lt. Brad George and Captain Sammy Weygand played a key role in securing justice in a Michigan homicide case last week. The two officers traveled to Detroit, Michigan, at
California Man Arrested in Custer County With 55 Pounds of Marijuana
Clinton, OK — A California man is facing a felony drug trafficking charge after troopers reported finding more than 55 pounds of marijuana during a traffic stop in Custer County. According to court records, 41-year-old Yuanfeng Chen
Beckham County Jail Earns 100 Percent Compliance Rating — Again
Sayre, OK – Beckham County Sheriff Derek Manning says the county’s detention center has achieved a rare distinction: back-to-back perfect inspection scores. “Congratulations to my staff,” Manning said. “A few months ago, the jail inspector came out
Sayre Man Facing Felony Charges After Being Found With Juvenile in Abandoned Trailer
Sayre, OK – A 31-year-old Sayre man has been charged after authorities say he was found with a 15-year-old girl inside an abandoned trailer in Beckham County. According to court records, the incident occurred on August 18,
Erick Man Arrested After High-Speed Chase in Elk City
Elk City, OK – An Erick man is facing charges after allegedly leading law enforcement on a high-speed motorcycle pursuit through Elk City earlier this month. Authorities say 23-year-old Ethan Melton was spotted riding a black Harley
Fatal Crash in Roger Mills County Claims Life of Georgia Teen
Roger Mills County, OK – A 19-year-old Georgia man was killed early Sunday morning in a single-vehicle crash on U.S. Highway 283, just north of State Highway 33, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Troopers said the
Teen Killed, Another Injured in Rollover Crash Northwest of Elk City
Elk City, OK – A 17-year-old Elk City High School student was killed and another teen seriously injured Saturday afternoon in a one-vehicle crash northwest of town, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Troopers said the crash
Fall Weather Sneaks In Ahead of Labor Day
Elk City, OK – Western Oklahoma will trade its summer heat for an early taste of fall next week, according to the National Weather Service in Norman and Oklahoma City meteorologists. After a warm weekend with highs
One Injured in Caddo County Collision
Caddo County, OK – A two-vehicle crash in rural Caddo County sent one man to the hospital Wednesday night. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol reports the collision happened around 9:25 p.m. on August 13 at the intersection of
MA+ Architecture Named Official Sponsor of the 6th Annual SWOSU Charitable Hunt
Weatherford, OK – The Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) Foundation, Inc. is pleased to announce that MA+ Architecture will once again serve as the Official Sponsor of the Charitable Hunt, scheduled for Friday, September 12, 2025, in
SWOSU Traditional Nursing Program Application Opens September 1
Weatherford, OK – The Department of Nursing at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) in Weatherford will begin accepting applications for the Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) program on September 1. Applications will be accepted through
Purple People Eater Fest Returns to Erick Sept. 26-28
Erick, OK — Erick is about to turn purple again. The annual Purple People Eater Fest is set for Friday through Sunday, September 26-28, 2025, celebrating hometown legend Sheb Wooley and his famous novelty hit, “Purple People
Clinton Man Injured in Early-Morning Crash in Roger Mills County
Strong City, OK – A Clinton man was hospitalized after a single-vehicle crash early Friday morning in Roger Mills County. According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the collision happened at 4:53 a.m. on August 22 at the
Amarillo Man Killed, Passenger Dead in Washita County Crash
Washita County, OK – A single-vehicle crash in Washita County claimed two lives and left another person injured, according to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol. Troopers said the wreck happened Tuesday on State Highway 152 near N2340 Road,
Carnegie man injured in Kiowa County crash
Mountain View, OK – A Carnegie man was injured Tuesday afternoon in a two-vehicle collision in Kiowa County. According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the crash happened at 3:55 p.m. on State Highway 115 at Highway 9,
Snipes Named ODOT District 5 Engineer
Oklahoma City, OK – The Oklahoma Department of Transportation has named Elk City native Will Snipes as the new District 5 Engineer for western Oklahoma. Snipes, a 1994 graduate of Elk City High School, will oversee all
SWOSU PR & Marketing Team Recognized for Strategic Campus Communication
Weatherford, OK – The Office of Public Relations & Marketing at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) received five awards from the Oklahoma College Public Relations Association (OCPRA) during its annual summer conference. The awards recognize a range
Weatherford Woman Injured in I-40 Ramp Crash
Custer County, OK – A Weatherford woman was injured Monday evening in a single-vehicle crash on the eastbound on-ramp to Interstate 40 at mile marker 82. According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, the crash happened at about
GPRMC, Elkview General bring specialty services to Hobart
Hobart, OK – Great Plains Regional Medical Center (GPRMC) and Elkview General Hospital today announced a partnership that will expand access to specialty health care services in western Oklahoma. The new Hobart clinic will open Friday, Aug.
SWOSU & ASAP Energy, Inc. Announce New Philanthropic Partnership
Weatherford, OK – Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) and ASAP Energy, Inc. have launched an exciting new philanthropic partnership that will provide valuable financial assistance to the university’s students, faculty, and programs. “SWOSU is honored by the
DPS Rolls Out New Driver License Design
Austin, TX – The Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) has rolled out a new design on Texas driver license (DL) and identification (ID) cards. Beginning today, Aug. 18, all newly issued Texas DLs and IDs will
SWOSU MLT Students Achieve National Honors and Record Graduation
Weatherford, OK – The Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program at Southwestern Oklahoma State University (SWOSU) is celebrating one of the most successful years in its history. The Class of 2025 is the largest graduating class in 25
Woodward Man Injured in Motorcycle Crash in Dewey County
Dewey County, OK – A Woodward man was hospitalized Sunday evening after a motorcycle crash at the intersection of U.S. Highway 270 and State Highway 51 in Dewey County. According to the Oklahoma Highway Patrol, 70-year-old Dennis
Beckham County Sheriff’s Office Warns of Phone Scam
Sayre, OK – The Beckham County Sheriff’s Office is warning residents about a recent phone scam where callers pose as law enforcement officers in an effort to steal money and financial information. Sheriff Derek Manning said the
