| Raymond F. Chandler III | |
| Nickname: | Ray |
| Birth Date: | 25 August 1962 |
| Birth Place: | Whittier, California, United States |
| Allegiance: | United States |
| Branch: | United States Army |
| Serviceyears: | 1981–2015 |
| Rank: | Sergeant Major of the Army |
| Commands: | United States Army Sergeants Major Academy |
| Battles: | War in Afghanistan Iraq War |
| Awards: | Army Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit (2) Bronze Star Medal Meritorious Service Medal (8) Army Commendation Medal (8) Army Achievement Medal (2) |
| Signature: | Raymond F. Chandler signature.svg |
Raymond F. Chandler III (born August 25, 1962)[1] is a former United States Army soldier who served as the 14th Sergeant Major of the Army. He was sworn in on March 1, 2011, and active on duty until January 30, 2015.[2] [3] 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 (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.
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.
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.[4]
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'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 Sergeant Major of the Army is routinely invited to testify before U.S. Congress. He was succeeded by Daniel A. Dailey on January 30, 2015.[5]
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.
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.
| Army Distinguished Service Medal | ||
| Defense Superior Service Medal | ||
| Legion of Merit with one oak leaf cluster | ||
| Bronze Star Medal | ||
| Meritorious Service Medal with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters | ||
| Army Commendation Medal with one silver and two bronze oak leaf clusters | ||
| Army Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster | ||
| Meritorious Unit Commendation | ||
| Superior Unit Award | ||
| Army Good Conduct Medal 11 awards | ||
| National Defense Service Medal with one service star | ||
| Iraq Campaign Medal with two service stars | ||
| Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal | ||
| Global War on Terrorism Service Medal | ||
| Korea Defense Service Medal | ||
| NCO Professional Development Ribbon with bronze award numeral 4 | ||
| Army Service Ribbon | ||
| Army Overseas Service Ribbon with award numeral 4 |