By ANTHONY BOTTAN
Smith's mobile assault platoon secured the Iraqi border near Syria, and soon the 24-year-old will be patrolling and securing the streets of New York City. After seven years in the Marines, Smith will return to his job as a police officer at the 10th Precinct in midtown Manhattan. For now though, he wants to enjoy his time off from work and the war, and get back to living a civilian life.
"It feels good to be back home," Smith said. "But I'm still adjusting to getting back."
Smith joined the Marines Reserves in 2002 for several reasons, he said. A long line of relatives had served in the Armed Forces, and the 9/11 attacks compelled him to sign up. He said he didn't see much combat during his latest tour in Iraq, but he did experience some things that will always stay with him. His unit helped rebuild schools in northwestern Iraq and feed schoolchildren who were malnourished. "I'll never forget helping out those school kids," said Smith, who was pleased that he made friends with several of the interpreters who traveled with his platoon from city to city, some of whom he still keeps in contact with.
Though it is good to be back in East Rockaway, Smith said, it has been hard for him to sleep at night. "I got adjusted pretty quick, and it wasn't too hard to get back into a rhythm," he said. "But I've been waking up late in the afternoons ... I can't sleep at night." To help reacquaint himself with a normal life, he said he has begun fishing again, and started working on his motorcycle and an all-terrain vehicle.
He will go back to work with the NYPD in about a month and a half, and he plans to make the most of his time off. "I needed to get some things done," Smith said, "so it's nice to have vacation."
He spoke to his 10-year-old cousin's class about being in the Marines, and said the students were interested in hearing about his time in Iraq. Smith said he wishes he had more events like that to fill his days. "The hardest part about being back is not having a job," he said. "It's been boring. All my buddies are working. I needed the time off, but I'm trying to keep myself busy."
His mother, Clarice, said she has been trying to keep Craig busy by putting him to work around the house. He put up a new fence and finished some minor repairs that his father had not finished, Clarice said, adding that having Craig home has made their family whole again. "The void in our family has been filled," she said. "He is our middle child, so with him gone, there was a void."
Smith has dated Paola Ventimiglia for the last six years, and he said that when he returned home, it was as if nothing changed. "Everything worked out perfect with her," he said. "We jumped right back into our regular routine."
Ventimiglia said she is grateful to have Smith back by her side again. "It's definitely great to have him home," she said. " I'm more relaxed now ... I can sleep at night."
The one thing Smith has had trouble acclimating to, he said, is dealing with regular people every day. He is used to life in the Armed Forces, and admitted that sometimes he forgets that. "To tell you the truth, it sometimes gets tough dealing with regular people," he said. "I'm not in the military world anymore. I have to be more patient with people."
Smith starts his new assignment for the NYPD's 10th Precinct on July 15.
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