How did Fred Smith go from the Marines to FedEx?

Fred Smith. Marine infantry officer and twice-wounded Vietnam veteran who founded FedEx and credited the Corps for its culture.

In the military

Commissioned in the U.S. Marine Corps after Yale in 1966. Served 2 tours in Vietnam, as a platoon leader and then company commander with 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, and as a forward air controller flying the OV-10 Bronco. Left as a captain.

The transition

• Founded Federal Express on June 18, 1971 with a $4 million inheritance and $91 million of venture capital.
• By 1973 it served 25 cities with 14 jets.
• In the precarious early days he reportedly took the company’s last $5,000 to Las Vegas and won $27,000 at blackjack to pay a $24,000 fuel bill.
• Built FedEx’s management around the Marine principle of taking care of the troops.

What came next

• Led FedEx as CEO until June 2022, then executive chairman until his death.
• Forbes valued his net worth at $5.3 billion at his death.

In Smith’s own words

“Everything that went into FedEx that made the business that it is today relates to what I learned in the Marine Corps.” (Quoted by Arlington National Cemetery blog, 2025)

“I cannot overemphasize how important the Marine Corps was in my business career, more important than my formal education I might add.” (Leatherneck, Joel Searls, Sept 6, 2022)

“The principles of the Marine Corps are as true today as they were when I learned them some 50 some odd years ago” (Leatherneck, Sept 6, 2022)

“Praise in public and counsel in private.” (Leatherneck)

“Then one night, I came back, and my troops had dug my fighting hole for me.” (Military Times)

“If you take care of your troops, they’re gonna take care of you, and they’ll accomplish any mission.” (Military Times, April 9, 2024)

Lessons for your own transition

• Leadership translates directly: ‘take care of the troops’ became FedEx’s people-first operating model.
• Expect early near-failure; FedEx almost ran out of money before it worked, and persistence carried it.
• Military experience can count as much as formal education; describe it to employers that way.

More veterans who made the leap

See them all, and practical steps for leaving after a long career: How do I transition from the military to civilian work after 30 years?.