Senior Enlisted Leader
Master Chief Musician Todd W. Smeltzer
A native of Spring Grove, Pennsylvania, Master Chief Musician Todd W. Smeltzer graduated from Indiana University of Pennsylvania in 1992 with a Bachelor of Fine Arts in Music Performance. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1993 and attended the Basic Course of Instruction at the Naval School of Music on board Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia. Upon completion, he served for six years as keyboard instrumentalist, vocalist, and supply petty officer with the U.S. 7th Fleet Band in Yokosuka, Japan, traveling extensively throughout Asia and the Far East.
In July 1999, he was assigned to Navy Band Southeast, Jacksonville, Florida, serving as keyboardist, vocalist, sound engineer, and unit leader of the popular music group “Pride.”
In June 2003, he reported to U.S. Fleet Forces Band in Norfolk, Virginia, where his duties included: leading petty officer, ceremonial band leader, operations coordinator, unit leader of the Fleet Jazz Ensemble and leader of the U.S. Navy Showband. As a member of the U.S. Navy Showband, he toured throughout South America in support of UNITAS XLV and XLVI. On Sept. 16, 2004, he was promoted to the rank of chief petty officer.
After successful completion of the 8-month Senior Musician Course at the Naval School of Music, Master Chief Smeltzer reported to Navy Band Northeast in May 2007 where he served as ceremonial band leader, showband leader and operations coordinator. During his tour, he served as a member of the Advancement Examination Developers Conference in Pensacola, Florida, and was promoted to the rank of senior chief on July 16, 2010. Also, in November 2010, he proudly completed training at the Senior Enlisted Academy as a member of the green team.
In January 2011, he reported to the Naval School of Music Staff in Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia, as head of academics. He was promoted to the rank of master chief petty officer on June 13, 2013, and soon after reported for duty as a senior enlisted leader with Navy Band Great Lakes in Illinois. In January 2016, he reported to Navy Band Southeast as senior enlisted leader and in July 2019, reported to U.S. Fleet Forces Band where he is currently serving as the senior enlisted leader.