Raymond F. Chandler

Raymond F. Chandler III (born August 25, 1962) is the current Sergeant Major of the Army in the United States. He was sworn in as the 14th Sergeant Major of the Army on March 1, 2011. Chandler has served in all tank crewman positions and has had multiple tours as a troop, squadron and regimental master gunner. He has served in the 1st Infantry Division (FWD), 2nd Infantry Division, 4th Infantry Division, 1st Cavalry Division, 3rd Armored Division, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment, United States Army Armor School, and the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy. He also served as First Sergeant in four different detachments, troops and companies. As a Sergeant Major, he served as Operations SGM in 1/2 ACR and as CSM in 1/7 Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division, United States Army Garrison Fort Leavenworth, Kansas and the United States Army Armor School CSM. Chandler was assigned as the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy CSM in December 2007. In June 2009, Chandler became the 19th Commandant of USASMA and the first enlisted commandant in USASMA history.

Early life
Chandler is a native of Whittier, California, and entered the Army in Brockton, Massachusetts in September 1981. He attended both Basic Training and Armor Advanced Individual Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky.

Military career
As Sergeant Major of the Army, Chandler serves as the Chief of Staff of the United States Army's personal adviser on all enlisted-related matters, particularly in areas affecting soldier training and quality of life, including the adoption of the new Army Service Uniform, which phases out the Green Service Uniform in 2014. The Sergeant Major of the Army is routinely invited to testify before U.S. Congress.

Throughout his 30-year career, he has served in every enlisted leadership position from all tank crewman positions to his position as Sergeant Major of the Army. Other assignments he held as a sergeant major were Operations SGM in 1/2 ACR and as CSM in 1/7 Cavalry, 1st Cavalry Division; United States Army Garrison Fort Leavenworth, KS; and the United States Army Armor School CSM. Chandler was assigned as the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy CSM in December 2007. He had only deployed once upon becoming the SMA, that being with 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division to Iraq in 2004-2005.

His most recent assignment was as the commandant for the United States Army Sergeant Major Academy in Fort Bliss, Texas.

Chandler now serves as the 14th Sergeant Major of the Army which started on March 1, 2011.

Education
Chandler's military education includes Noncommissioned Officer Education System, M60A3 and M1/M1A1 Tank Master Gunner Course, Battle Staff NCO Course, First Sergeant Course, Basic Instructor Training, Total Army Instructor Trainer Course, Small Group Instructor Trainer Course, Video Tele-Training Instructor Trainer Course, Army Management Staff Course, Garrison Command Sergeant Major Course and various other professional development courses. His civilian education includes a Bachelor of Science degree in public administration from Upper Iowa University.

Chandler is a recipient of the Order of Saint George (Bronze Medallion), the Distinguished Order of Saint Martin and the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara. SMA Chandler also serves on the Board of Directors for Army Emergency Relief.