Raymond F . Chandler Raymond F . Chandler III ( born August 25 , 1962 ) is the current Sergeant Major of the Army in the United States . He was sworn in as the 14th Sergeant Major of the Army on March 1 , 2011 . 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 ) , 2nd Infantry Division , 4th Infantry Division , 1st Cavalry Division , 3rd Armored Division , 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment , 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment , United States Army Armor School , and the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy . He also served as First Sergeant 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 , Kansas and the United States Army Armor School CSM . Chandler was assigned as the United States 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 . Early life . Chandler is a native of Whittier , California , and entered the Army in Brockton , Massachusetts in September 1981 . He attended both Basic Training and Armor Advanced Individual Training at Fort Knox , Kentucky . Military career . As Sergeant Major of the Army , Chandler serves as the Chief of Staff of the United States Army ' s personal adviser on all enlisted - related matters , particularly in areas affecting soldier training and quality of life , including the adoption of the new Army Service Uniform , which phases out the Green Service Uniform in 2014 . The Sergeant Major of the Army is routinely invited to testify before U . S . Congress . Throughout his 30 - year career , he has served in every enlisted leadership position from all tank crewman positions to his position as Sergeant Major of the Army . Other assignments he held as a sergeant major were 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 . Chandler was assigned as the United States Army Sergeants Major Academy CSM in December 2007 . He had only deployed once upon becoming the SMA , that being with 1st Squadron , 7th Cavalry Regiment , 1st Cavalry Division to Iraq in 2004 - 2005 . His most recent assignment was as the commandant for the United States Army Sergeant Major Academy in Fort Bliss , Texas . Chandler now serves as the 14th Sergeant Major of the Army which started on March 1 , 2011 . Education . Chandler ' s military education includes 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 . His civilian education includes a Bachelor of Science degree in public administration from Upper Iowa University .