Mark A. Schafer
Mark A. Schafer | |
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| Service/ | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1994–present |
| Rank | Rear Admiral |
| Commands held | U.S. Naval Forces Korea Naval Special Warfare Group TWO NSW Basic Training Command |
Mark A. Schafer is a United States Navy rear admiral who currently serves as Commanding General, Special Operations Joint Task Force-Central, United States Central Command.[1] Schafer recently served as Commander, United States Naval Forces Korea from Sept 2021 to Sept 2023.
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Schafer attended the United States Naval Academy, graduating in 1994 and was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. Schafer volunteered for Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training (BUD/S) at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. After six months of training, Schafer graduated with BUD/S class 197 in 1995.[2] His first operational assignment was with SEAL Team TWO. Following SEAL Tactical Training (STT) and completion of six month probationary period, he received the 1130 designator as a Naval Special Warfare Officer, entitled to wear the Special Warfare insignia. Schafer later volunteered for assignment to Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG) in Damneck, Virginia and completed a specialized selection and training course. Schafer planned, rehearsed and operated during classified exercises and operations including deployments to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. Schafer earned a master's degree in Business Administration at the Naval Postgraduate School in 2009.[3] Schafer's Naval Special Warfare (NSW) assignments include assistant platoon commander, SEAL TEAM TWO; platoon commander, SEAL TEAM FOUR; Troop Commander, Naval Special Warfare Development Group; Operations officer, Joint Special Operations Command; student, Naval Postgraduate School; Executive officer and Squadron Commander, Tactical Development and Evaluation Squadron THREE, NSWDG; student, Joint and Combined Warfighting School; Commanding officer, Naval Special Warfare Basic Training Command; Deputy Commander, Naval Special Warfare Development Group; Commanding officer, Naval Special Warfare Group TWO; Director of Operations J3, Joint Special Operations Command.[4]
Awards and decorations[edit]
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| Badge | SEAL Insignia | |||||
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| 1st Row | Defense Superior Service Medal | |||||
| 2nd Row | Legion of Merit Medal w/ gold award star | Bronze Star with Combat "V" and 4 award stars | Defense Meritorious Service Medal w/ 4 oak leaf cluster | |||
| 3rd Row | Meritorious Service Medal w/ 1 award star | Joint Service Commendation Medal | Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal | |||
| 4th Row | Combat Action Ribbon | Navy Presidential Unit Citation w/ 1 bronze service star | Joint Meritorious Unit Award | |||
| 5th Row | Navy Unit Commendation | Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation | ||||
| 6th Row | National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 service star | Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal | ||||
| 7th Row | Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ campaign star | Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal | ||||
| 8th Row | Global War on Terrorism Service Medal | Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 7 service stars | Overseas Service Ribbon | |||
| 9th row | NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia | Rifle Marksmanship Medal | Pistol Marksmanship Medal | |||
| Badge | ||||||
| Badge | Naval Parachutist insignia | |||||
See also[edit]
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References[edit]
- ^ "Flag Officer Assignments". U.S. Department of Defense. Archived from the original on February 18, 2024. Retrieved February 18, 2024.
- ^ BIOGRAPHICAL DATABOOK Class 2021-4 12-30 July 2021 National Defense University (PDF), June 26, 2022, archived from the original (PDF) on June 26, 2022
- ^ "Naval Postgraduate School Commencement Ceremony / Class of December 2009" (PDF). February 18, 2024. Archived from the original (PDF) on February 18, 2024.
- ^ "Rear Admiral Mark A. Schafer". February 18, 2024.
This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Government.