Colonel Parker enlisted in the Marine Reserves and graduated
recruit training at Parris Island, SC in August 1985. He was assigned to Weapons Company, 2d
Battalion, 25th Marines, until February 1990.
When he attended OCS, and was commissioned upon graduation in April
1990. Following The Basic School and the
Field Artillery Officer Basic Course, he was assigned to 1st Battalion, 10th
Marines, Camp Lejeune, NC, where served as a Forward Observer, Fire Direction
Officer, Adjutant, and Battery Executive Officer. From 1993 to 1996, he served at the Marine
Corps Security Force Battalion, Norfolk, VA, as the Cadre Liaison Officer,
Marine Detachment (Afloat) Officer, and Assistant Operations Officer. Following this assignment, he attended the
Amphibious Warfare School in Quantico, Virginia.
From 1997 to 1998,
he was assigned as the Fire Support / Assistant Operations Officer at the 31st
Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable). From 1998 to 2001, he returned to Camp
Lejeune to serve as the Battalion Logistics Officer, Operations Officer, and
Commanding Officer, Battery T, 5th Battalion, 10th Marines, as well as
Operations Officer of Headquarters Battalion, 2d Marine Division. He attended the College of Naval Command and
Staff, Newport, Rhode Island, from August 2001 to September 2002, graduating
with distinction, with the additional designation Naval Operational
Planner. He was subsequently assigned to
the Regional Operations Center, Allied Forces, Southern Europe, where he served
as the Executive Officer.
In July 2003, he
reported Weapons Training Battalion, MCB, Camp Lejeune for duty as Executive
Officer. In May 2004, he assumed duties
as Executive Officer, 2d Battalion, 10th Marines and deployed with 2d
Battalion, as a Provisional Infantry Battalion in support of Operation IRAQI
FREEDOM II-2 from August 2004-April 2005. He then transferred to the 10th Marine
Regiment in May 2005; he served as the Regimental S-3. As the Operations Officer for 10th Marines,
he planned and executed three regimental field-firing exercises. In May 2006, he assumed command of 2d
Battalion, 10th Marines. From
February-September 2007, He deployed with 2d Battalion (-) (REIN) as a
provisional infantry battalion and executed counterinsurgency operations in
support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM 06-08.1.
Upon return from Iraq, 2d Bn (-) (REIN) was the first 10th
Marines Battalion to field the M777A2 Lightweight Howitzer and conducted the
final field-testing on the Expeditionary Fire Support System (EFSS). In June 2008, he transferred to the Joint
Staff where he served as a Strategic Planner in the J-7, where he instituted,
led, and executed the CJCS Crisis Management Exercise Program for the Chairman
of Joint Chiefs of Staff. Following this
assignment, he attended the Marine Corps War College in Quantico,
Virginia. In June 2011, he assumed the
duties of G3 for the Marine Corps Warfighting Laboratory, and was promoted to
his present rank in November 2011.
In April 2013, he assumed the duties of the Deputy Director
of the newly created Futures Directorate.
Colonel Parker’s personal decorations include the Bronze Star, Defense
Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (Two Gold Stars in Lieu of
Third Award), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (Gold Star in Lieu of
Second Award), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement
Medal and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.