Howard T Parker Jr. is the Deputy Chief of Staff of Marine Forces Command (MARFORCOM), and Marine Forces Northern Command (MARFOR NORTHCOM), Norfolk, Virginia. As the Deputy Chief of Staff, in coordination with the Chief of Staff, he is responsible for advising the general officer serving as Commander, Marine Forces Command, Marine Forces Northern Command (COMMARFOR NORTHCOM), and Commanding General, Fleet Marine Force Atlantic (FMFLANT) on all matters contained within the over 500 staff functions performed by the MARFORCOM, MARFOR NORTHCOM staffs. Additionally, Mr. Parker is responsible for providing leadership, guidance and resources to the Office of the Chief of Staff and Security Branch personnel in the successful accomplishment of their administrative, protocol, fiscal, and security duties in support of the Commander, Deputy Commander, Executive Director, and Chief of Staff in support of the command’s mission. Mr. Parker is delegated full authority and responsibility to act in the capacity of the Chief of Staff in his absence.
Mr. Parker enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1978, and after attaining the rank of sergeant was selected for the Enlisted Commissioning Program in March 1985. He was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps in August 1985, and following the Basic School and Adjutant Basic Course, he was designated an Adjutant. He completed tours in I Marine Expeditionary Force as a S-1 Officer, 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, 1st Marine Division as an Adjutant/Personnel and Legal officer, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Reserve as G-1, 4th Force Service Support Group, and U.S. Central Command as an Exercise and Plans Officer, Headquarters Commandant, and Executive Assistant (EA) to the Director Resources and Assessment Directorate.
Additionally, Mr. Parker completed tours at 12th Marine Corps Recruiting District as an Operations Officer, Marine Security Guard Battalion as Commanding Officer, Hotel Company. He deployed to Kabul, Afghanistan and served as Chief, Police Programs Branch and Chief, Focused District Development Team on the staff of Combined Security Transition Command-Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom.
Mr. Parker completed his active service retiring as a colonel as the MARFORCOM Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1 from July 2005 to July 2010.
Mr. Parker’s education includes a BS in Criminology and Master’s Degree in Personnel Management from National University, San Diego, California. Mr. Parker is also a graduate of the Marine Corps Amphibious Warfare School and Marine Corps Command and Staff, Quantico Virginia and attended Top Level School as CMC Fellow, Secretary of Defense Corporate Fellowship.
His personal decorations include the Legion of Merit Medal, Bronze Star Medal, Meritorious Service Medal with two stars, Defense Meritorious Service, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation with two stars and Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.