Peter Schoomaker
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| Peter Jan Schoomaker | |
|---|---|
| Born b. February 12, 1946 | |
 General Peter J. Schoomaker 35th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army |
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| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1969-2000, 2003-2007 |
| Rank | General |
| Commands held | Army Chief of Staff |
| Battles/wars | Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm |
| Awards | Defense Distinguished Service Medal (2OLC) Army Distinguished Service Medal (OLC) Defense Superior Service Medal (3OLC) Legion of Merit (2OLC) Bronze Star (OLC) |
General Peter J. Schoomaker (b. February 12, 1946) was the 35th Chief of Staff of the United States Army, serving from August 1, 2003 to April 10, 2007, when he was replaced by General George Casey. Schoomaker retired from the Army for the second time in 2007. His appointment to Chief of Staff was unusual in that he was called out of retirement to take up the post.[1]
Prior to his last assignment, Schoomaker spent over 30 years in a variety of assignments with both conventional and special operations forces – he is the first Special Forces-trained Army Chief of Staff and the second to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff (General Henry H. Shelton was the first, when he served as Chairman).
His brother, Lieutenant General Eric B. Schoomaker, M.D., is the 42nd Surgeon General of the United States Army.
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[edit] Biography
Schoomaker graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Education Administration. A football player, he was a starter on Wyoming's Sugar Bowl team. He holds a Master of Arts Degree in Management from Central Michigan University, and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Hampden-Sydney College.
He participated in numerous deployment operations including Eagle Claw in Iran, Urgent Fury in Grenada, Operation Just Cause in Panama, Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in Southwest Asia, Uphold Democracy in Haiti, and supported various other operations.
Early in his career, General Schoomaker was a Reconnaissance Platoon Leader and Rifle Company Commander with 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry, and a Cavalry Troop Commander with 1st Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment in Germany. He then served in Korea as the S-3 Operations Officer of 1st Battalion, 73rd Armor, 2nd Infantry Division. From 1978 to 1981, he commanded a Squadron of 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - Delta at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Following a year at the Army's Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, General Schoomaker served as the Squadron Executive Officer, 2nd Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment in Germany. In August 1983, he returned to Fort Bragg, North Carolina, to serve as Special Operations Officer, J-3, Joint Special Operations Command. From August 1985 to August 1988, General Schoomaker commanded another Squadron in the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - D, commonly known to the public as "Delta Force". Following the National War College in Washington, D.C., he returned as the Commander, 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment - D from June 1989 to July 1992. Subsequently, General Schoomaker served as the Assistant Division Commander of the 1st Cavalry Division, Fort Hood, Texas, followed by a tour in the Headquarters, Department of the Army staff as the Deputy Director for Operations, Readiness and Mobilization.
General Schoomaker served as the Commanding General of the Joint Special Operations Command from July 1994 to August 1996, followed by command of the United States Army Special Operations Command at Fort Bragg, North Carolina through October 1997. His most recent assignment prior to assuming duties as the Army Chief of Staff was as Commander in Chief, United States Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base, Florida, from November 1997 to November 2000. According to the 9/11 Commission, Schoomaker wanted to take action against Al Qaeda in Afghanistan using his special operators but was unable to gain approval for the mission.
[edit] Army transformation
- Further information: Transformation of the United States Army
[edit] Decorations and badges
- Defense Distinguished Service Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Cluster)[2]
- Army Distinguished Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster)
- Defense Superior Service Medal (with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters)
- Legion of Merit (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters)
- Bronze Star (with Oak Leaf Cluster)
- Defense Meritorious Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster)
- Meritorious Service Medal (with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters)
- Joint Service Commendation Medal
- Joint Service Achievement Medal
- Combat Infantryman Badge
- Master Parachutist Badge
- Military Free Fall Parachutist Badge
- Special Forces Tab and Regimental Insignia
- Ranger Tab
- Joint Chiefs of Staff Identification Badge
- Army Staff Identification Badge
- Valorous Unit Award (with Oak Leaf Cluster)
- Joint Meritorious Unit Award (with Oak Leaf Cluster)
- Canada: Meritorious Service Cross (Military Division)[1]
[edit] Notes
- ^ Thom Shanker. "Retired Commando Chief Is Chosen to Lead the Army", New York Times, June 11, 2003, Late Edition - Final, p. Section A, Page 20, Column 1. Retrieved on 2006-12-12.
- ^ DefenseLINK: DefenseLINK News Photos
[edit] References
- Peter Jan Schoomaker. U.S. Department of Defense. Retrieved on 2007-11-02.
[edit] External links
- ON THE ARMY'S RESET STRATEGY AND PLAN FOR FUNDING RESET REQUIREMENTS (PDF) (6/27/06). An assessment of Army preparedness in terms of manpower, equipment, and funding. Delivered before the House Committee on the Armed Services.
- Sally B. Donnelly and Douglas Waller (April 22, 2005). Ten Questions With Peter Schoomaker, TIME talks to the Army Chief of Staff. TIME Magazine. Retrieved on 2006-12-13.
| Military offices | ||
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| Preceded by Eric K. Shinseki |
Chief of Staff of the United States Army 2003-2007 |
Succeeded by George W. Casey, Jr. |
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