Raymond F. Chandler III (born August 25, 1962) is a former

United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the land warfare, land military branch, service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight Uniformed services of the United States, U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army o ...

soldier who served as the 14th

Sergeant Major of the Army The Sergeant Major of the Army (SMA) is a unique non-commissioned rank and position of office in the United States Army. The holder of this rank and position is the most senior enlisted soldier in the Army, unless an enlisted soldier is servi ...

. He was sworn in on March 1, 2011, and active on duty until January 30, 2015. Chandler 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 1st Division may refer to: Military Airborne divisions *1st Parachute Division (Germany) *1st Airborne Division (United Kingdom) *1st Airmobile Division (Ukraine) *1st Guards Airborne Division Armoured divisions *1st Armoured Division (Australi ...

(FWD), 2nd Infantry Division, 4th Infantry Division, 1st Cavalry Division, 3rd Armored Division,

2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment The 2nd Cavalry Regiment, also known as the 2nd Dragoons, is an active Stryker infantry and cavalry regiment of the United States Army. The Second Cavalry Regiment is a unit of the United States Army Europe and Africa, with its garrison at th ...

3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment The 3rd Cavalry Regiment, formerly 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment ("Brave Rifles") is a regiment of the United States Army currently stationed at Fort Hood, Texas. The regiment has a history in the United States Army that dates back to 19 May 1 ...

United States Army Armor School The United States Army Armor School (formerly Armored Force School) is a training school located at Fort Benning, Georgia. Its primary focus is the training of United States Army soldiers, non-commissioned officers, warrant officers, and commis ...

, and the

United States Army Sergeants Major Academy The United States Army Sergeants Major Academy (USASMA) was established on 1 July 1972 at Fort Bliss, Texas, and began instruction in January 1973. Its curriculum is designed to broaden the student's current knowledge base. This approach differs ...

. He also served as first sergeant in four different detachments, troops and companies. As a

sergeant major Sergeant major is a senior non-commissioned rank or appointment in many militaries around the world. History In 16th century Spain, the ("sergeant major") was a general officer. He commanded an army's infantry, and ranked about third in t ...

, 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 Fort Leavenworth () is a United States Army installation located in Leavenworth County, Kansas, in the city of Leavenworth. Built in 1827, it is the second oldest active United States Army post west of Washington, D.C., and the oldest perman ...

Kansas Kansas () is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its capital is Topeka, and its largest city is Wichita. Kansas is a landlocked state bordered by Nebraska to the north; Missouri to the east; Oklahoma to the south; and Colorado to ...

and the United States Army Armor School CSM. Chandler was assigned as the

CSM in December 2007. In June 2009, Chandler became the 19th

Commandant Commandant ( or ) is a title often given to the officer in charge of a military (or other uniformed service) training establishment or academy. This usage is common in English-speaking nations. In some countries it may be a military or police ran ...

of USASMA and the first enlisted commandant in USASMA history.

Early life

Raymond Francis Chandler was born in Whittier, California was raised in Massachusetts. He entered the United States Army in Brockton, Massachusetts in September 1981. PVT Chandler attended United States Army One Station Unit Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky as a 19E Armor Crewman.

Military career

Throughout his almost 35-year career, Chandler 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 deployed once with 1st Squadron, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division to Iraq in 2004. Chandler became the 14th Sergeant Major of the Army on March 1, 2011. As Sergeant Major of the Army, Chandler served as the

Chief of Staff of the United States Army The chief of staff of the Army (CSA) is a statutory position in the United States Army held by a general officer. As the highest-ranking officer assigned to serve in the Department of the Army, the chief is the principal military advisor and a ...

'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 The Army Service Uniform (ASU) is a military uniform worn by United States Army personnel in situations where formal dress is called for. It can be worn at most public and official functions. Over history, a number of different non-combat servi ...

. The Sergeant Major of the Army is routinely invited to testify before

U.S. Congress The United States Congress is the legislature of the federal government of the United States. It is bicameral, composed of a lower body, the House of Representatives, and an upper body, the Senate. It meets in the U.S. Capitol in Washing ...

. He was succeeded by

Daniel A. Dailey Daniel A. Dailey (born January 11, 1969) is a United States Army soldier who served as the 15th Sergeant Major of the Army from January 30, 2015, to August 9, 2019. Prior to his tenure as the Sergeant Major of the Army, he served as the Command ...

on January 30, 2015.Carroll, Chris
"Infantryman named new sergeant major of the Army"
'' Stars and Stripes'', November 3, 2014. (accessed 3 November 2014)

Post-military career

In February 2015, Chandler was appointed by Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) to serve on the National Commission on the Future of the Army (http://www.ncfa.ncr.gov/) as a commissioner. The commission submitted its report to President Obama and to the 114th Congress on January 28, 2016. Chandler serves on several boards and councils in support of Military and Veterans services.

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 A Bachelor of Science (BS, BSc, SB, or ScB; from the Latin ') is a bachelor's degree awarded for programs that generally last three to five years. The first university to admit a student to the degree of Bachelor of Science was the University o ...

degree in

public administration Public Administration (a form of governance) or Public Policy and Administration (an academic discipline) is the implementation of public policy, Administration (government), administration of Government, government establishment (Governance#P ...

from

Upper Iowa University Upper Iowa University (UIU) is a private university in Fayette, Iowa. It enrolls around 6000 students and offers distance education programs that include 15 centers in the U.S., an online program, an independent study program, and centers in ...

Awards and decorations

Chandler is a recipient of the

Order of Saint George The Order of Saint George (russian: Орден Святого Георгия, Orden Svyatogo Georgiya) is the highest military decoration of the Russian Federation. Originally established on 26 November 1769 Julian (7 December 1769 Gregorian) a ...

(Bronze Medallion), the Distinguished Order of Saint Martin and the Honorable

Order of Saint Barbara The Order of Saint Barbara is a military honor society of the US for both the US Army and the US Marine Corps Artillery, including Field Artillery and Air Defense Artillery. The award is named for Saint Barbara, the patron saint of artillerymen. ...

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Chandler, Raymond F. 1962 births Living people Recipients of the Legion of Merit Military personnel from California Sergeants Major of the Army United States Army Sergeants Major Academy alumni People from Whittier, California