Raymond F. Chandler III
Sergeant Major of the Army

Raymond F. Chandler III was sworn in as the 14th Sergeant Major of the Army on 1 March 2011. SMA Chandler has held a variety of leadership positions throughout his career ranging from tank crewman to command sergeant major.

Military Career

Chandler was born in Whittier, CA, and entered the Army in Brockton, MA, in September 1981. He attended One Station Unit Training at Fort Knox, KY, and graduated as a 19E Armor Crewman.

He has served in all tank crewman positions and has had multiple tours 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 Armor Division, 2d ACR, 3d ACR, U.S. Army Armor School, and the U.S. Army Sergeants Major Academy. He also served as a 1SG 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 (OIF II 2004-2005), U.S. Army Garrison Fort Leavenworth, KS, and the U.S. Army Armor School CSM. Chandler was assigned as the U.S. 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.

SMA 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.

Sergeant Major of the Army Duties

As Sergeant Major of the Army, Chandler serves as the Army Chief of Staff's personal adviser on all enlisted-related matters, particularly in areas affecting Soldier training and quality of life. He devotes the majority of his time to traveling throughout the Army observing training, and talking to Soldiers and their families.

He sits on a wide variety of councils and boards that make decisions affecting enlisted Soldiers and their families and is routinely invited to testify before Congress.

SMA Chandler also serves on the Board of Directors for Army Emergency Relief.

Medals and Awards

Legion of Merit
Bronze Star Medal
Meritorious Service Medal with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters
Army Commendation Medal with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters
Army Achievement Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Good Conduct Medal (10 Awards)
National Defense Service Medal with 1 Service Star
Army Service Ribbon
Korean Defense Service Medal
Overseas Service Medal with Numeral 4
NCO Professional Development Ribbon with Numeral 4
Iraq Campaign Medal with 2 Service Stars
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Meritorious Unit Commendation
Superior Unit Award

Other Awards

Order of Saint George (Bronze Medallion)
Distinguished Order of Saint Martin
Honorable Order of Saint Barbara

Badge

Combat Action Badge

Family

SMA Chandler and his wife, Jeanne, are the proud parents of six children, and eight grandchildren.