New Sergeant Major of The Army Biography
Command Sergeant Major Raymond F. Chandler III was born in Whittier, California and entered the
Army in Brockton, Massachusetts in September 1981. He attended One Station Unit Training at Fort
Knox, Kentucky and graduated as a 19E Armor Crewman.
CSM 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), 2d Infantry
Division, 4th Infantry Division, 1st Cavalry Division, 3d 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, United States Army Garrison Fort
Leavenworth, KS and the United States Army Armor School CSM. CSM Chandler was assigned as the
United States Army Sergeants Major Academy CSM in December 2007. On 29 June 2009 CSM
Chandler became the 19th Commandant of USASMA and the first enlisted commandant in USASMA
history.
CSM 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.
CSM Chandler’s awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious
Service Medal (7th OLC), Army Commendation Medal (7th OLC), Army Achievement Medal (1st OLC),
Army Good Conduct Medal (9th Award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Army Service
Ribbon, Korean Defense Service Medal, Overseas Service Medal (Numeral 4), Noncommissioned
Officer Professional Service Ribbon (Numeral 4), Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism
Service Medal, Meritorious Unit Commendation, the Superior Unit Award 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. CSM Chandler also serves on the Board of
Directors for Army Emergency Relief.