On Thursday, at a ceremony in Canberra, General Chris Smith was promoted to the third-highest rank in the Australian Army.

The boy who attended Mowbray Primary and Brooks High School joined the cadets at 17, where he received an offer to study at the Royal Military College, Duntroon.

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After graduating from RMC, General Smith was deployed to Rwanda as a young lieutenant.

With a military career that has spanned more than 30 years, General Smith has travelled the world commanding troops in global conflicts, and training with some of the world's top militaries.

General Smith's father Gregory Smith said his son had experienced a career few could imagine.

"He served in Israel with the UN, Israel and Lebanon," he said.

"He commanded the second battalion in Afghanistan and spent two years studying in America at Fort Leavenworth, and two years in Washington."

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His mother Barbara Smith said she was incredibly proud of her son for having achieved so much after coming from humble beginnings.

"We're very proud,'' she said. "It's something that you don't expect your kids to do, especially when he's just a normal kid who went to Mowbray Primary School, Brookes High School and Alanvale College."

Mrs Smith said following the promotion, the husband and father of one would relocate to Hawaii for two years in his new role as the Deputy Commanding General to the US Army.

She said the couple were unable to attend the ceremony due to COVID restrictions, but watched via a Zoom link.

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Mr Smith said his son had expressed great delight in receiving the promotion after his many years of distinguished service.

"Promotion is like a pyramid in the army, so the more senior you become the tougher it is to get a promotion," he said.

"The next step is Lieutenant-General, and the chief of the army is a Lieutenant-General, so he's only one step away from that."

Mrs Smith said she felt like the achievement was a unique one for Tasmania.

"This is a pretty wonderful thing which I'm not sure many Tasmanians have achieved," she said.

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