# Mark A. Schafer

Mark A. Schafer is a United States Navy rear admiral who currently serves as Commanding General, Special Operations Joint Task Force-South, United States Southern Command . Schafer recently served as Commander, United States Naval Forces Korea from Sept 2021 to Sept 2023.

## Navy career

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. His first operational assignment was with SEAL Team TWO as assistant platoon commander. 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 served as platoon commander with SEAL Team FOUR. In 2001 Schafer volunteered for assignment to Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG) in Damneck, Virginia and completed a specialized selection and training course. Schafer served as troop commander till 2004 where he 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. Schafer's Naval Special Warfare (NSW) staff and command assignments include Operations officer, Joint Special Operations Command; Executive officer and Squadron Commander, Tactical Development and Evaluation Squadron THREE, NSWDG; Director of Selection and Training, NSWDG; 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.

## Awards and decorations

| Badge | SEAL Insignia | SEAL Insignia | SEAL Insignia | SEAL Insignia | SEAL Insignia | SEAL Insignia |
| 1st Row | | Defense Superior Service Medal | Defense Superior Service Medal | Defense Superior Service Medal |
| 2nd Row | Legion of Merit Medal w/ gold award star | Legion of Merit Medal w/ gold award star | Bronze Star with Combat "V" and 4 award stars | Bronze Star with Combat "V" and 4 award stars | Defense Meritorious Service Medal w/ 4 oak leaf cluster | Defense Meritorious Service Medal w/ 4 oak leaf cluster |
| 3rd Row | Meritorious Service Medal w/ 1 award star | Meritorious Service Medal w/ 1 award star | Joint Service Commendation Medal | Joint Service Commendation Medal | Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal | Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal |
| 4th Row | Combat Action Ribbon | Combat Action Ribbon | Navy Presidential Unit Citation w/ 1 bronze service star | Navy Presidential Unit Citation w/ 1 bronze service star | Joint Meritorious Unit Award | Joint Meritorious Unit Award |
| 5th Row | Navy Unit Commendation | Navy Unit Commendation | Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation | Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation | |
| 6th Row | | National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 service star | National Defense Service Medal w/ 1 service star | Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal | Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal |
| 7th Row | Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ campaign star | Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/ campaign star | | Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal | Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal |
| 8th Row | Global War on Terrorism Service Medal | Global War on Terrorism Service Medal | Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 7 service stars | Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/ 7 service stars | Overseas Service Ribbon | Overseas Service Ribbon |
| 9th row | NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia | NATO Medal for the former Yugoslavia | Rifle Marksmanship Medal | Rifle Marksmanship Medal | Pistol Marksmanship Medal | Pistol Marksmanship Medal |
| Badge | |
| Badge | Naval Parachutist insignia | Naval Parachutist insignia | Naval Parachutist insignia | Naval Parachutist insignia | Naval Parachutist insignia | Naval Parachutist insignia |