COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) - House Minority Leader James Smith went from being prominent to inconspicuous during his 11 weeks at boot camp in Fort Jackson.

He graduated basic training Thursday and will head back to the House on Tuesday.

"I've got no power with drill sergeants," the Columbia Democrat said. "I went from being a member of the Legislature, running a law firm, being head of a household to, basically, a maggot."

Smith, an eight-year veteran and captain in the South Carolina Army National Guard, said the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks prompted him to volunteer for the infantry. He had received an appointment as an officer to serve as a military lawyer, but before he could lead soldiers into battle, the Army wanted him to go to boot camp.

Smith, 36, was doing pre-dawn runs, sleeping in freezing tents and enduring chemical warfare training with soldiers half his age.

But he said the toughest part was being away from his wife and four children. Smith's home is less than 10 miles from Fort Jackson, but he saw his family only during a two-week Christmas break.

He distinguished himself during basic training, being selected by Army trainers as the Outstanding Soldier Leader of Company A of the 3rd Battalion, 13th Infantry. Smith's next military stop will be officer candidate school. He will take classes at Fort Jackson's McCrady Training Center.

If he passes, Smith will be recommissioned as an officer. He will remain in the Guard's 218th Infantry Brigade, headquartered at Newberry.

Smith, state chairman for Democratic presidential candidate John Kerry, also will back in time for the state's first-in-the-South primary Tuesday.

He's not the only one to leave public office for military training.

Last April, Gov. Mark Sanford, who is in the Air Force Reserve, completed two weeks of training at Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.