Sergeant Major of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III

Sergeant Major of the Army

March 2011 - January 2015

Sgt. Maj. of the Army Raymond F. Chandler III, a native of Whittier, California, enlisted into the U. S. Army in Brockton, Massachusetts in September 1981 and began his military career at Fort Knox, Kentucky where he attended One Station Unit Training graduating as an Armor Crewman. During his 34-year career, SMA Chandler served in all tank crewman positions and has had multiple tours as a troop, squadron and regimental master gunner. His exceptional leadership skills led him to the position as the command sergeant major of the U.S. Armor School and later as the command sergeant major of the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy in December 2007. In 2009, SMA Chandler was named as the first enlisted commandant of the USASMA.

SMA Chandler led the academy during a period of redesign of the Noncommissioned Officer Education System. As the first enlisted commandant of the academy he was directly responsible for proposing and gaining support of the senior Army leadership of a concept plan that would serve as the platform for future enhancements of the Sergeants Major Academy. He was also responsible for the development and implementation of the initial phase of Structured Self-Development which fully leverages technology to enhance the Noncommissioned Officer Corps’ skills and provide for “life-long” learning for all enlisted Soldiers.

Train, Promote process and the implementation of Structured Self-Development for all phases of NCO Professional Development. He was also instrumental in supporting the Army G-3/5/7’s implementation of the One Army Schoolhouse which allows multi-component instructors to teach the Warrior Leader Course, now Basic Leader Course, to Active, Reserve and National Guard Soldiers under one roof increasing the footprint of available schoolhouses for multi-component instruction. Because of SMA Chandler’s efforts, Soldiers will continue to receive the quality professional military education needed to serve across the Army and the Department of Defense.

SMA Chandler, in conjunction with the Secretary of the Army and the Chief of Staff of the Army, led the effort to review and plan the way ahead for the NCOs of the future with the establishment of the NCO 2020 initiative. NCO 2020 is an integrated, progressive and sequential NCO Professional Development System that prepares the NCO Corps to execute missions and support national security requirements for the year 2025 and beyond.

Chandler’s military and civilian education includes all levels of the 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. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Administration from Upper Iowa University.

His awards and decorations include the Army Distinguished Service Medal, Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (2nd Award), Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (7th award), Army Commendation Medal (7th award), Army Achievement Medal (with OLC), Army Good Conduct Medal (10th Award), Korean Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Medal (Numeral 4), Iraq Campaign Medal (2 Service Stars), Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and the Combat Action Badge. He is a recipient of the Order of Saint George (Bronze Medallion), the Distinguished Order of Saint Martin and the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara.