 Smith completed his basic training at Fort Sam Houston, Texas, while attached to 3rd Cavalry Regiment and was promoted to the permanent rank of first lieutenant on May 15, 1917 and to the temporary rank of Captain on August 5 that year.He embarked for France in October 1917 and his regiment was tasked with the operation of three major horse remount depots.The three squadrons were charged with the purchase of horses, mules and forage, the care, conditioning, and training of remounts before issue, and the distribution and issue of remounts to the American Expeditionary Force.