BRIGADIER GENERAL JAMES W. PARKER Brigadier General James W. Parker, U.S. Army, is Director of the Intelligence and Information Operations Center, U.S. Special Operations Command, MacDill Air Force Base, Fla.  The center combines the communications, intelligence, and information warfare aspects of special operations, focusing efforts of a diverse set of joint and interagency activities.  General Parker previously served as Commander of the Special Operations Command South, U.S. Southern Command before assuming his current position in July 2000. General Parker enlisted in the Army in 1970 and served as a Weapons Sergeant in the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) until he attended Officer Candidate School in 1975.  Upon graduation, he was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii where he served as a Rifle Platoon Leader, Scout Platoon Leader, and Company Executive Officer. In 1979, he reported to the 4th Infantry Division (Mechanized), at Fort Carson, Colorado, there he served as an Infantry Company Commander and Battalion Motor Officer.  From 1981 to 1984, he was an Infantry Advisor with Readiness Group I, Fort Devens, Massachusetts.  His next assignment was with the 1st Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Lewis, Washington where he served as Battalion Operations Officer and Executive Officer for 3d Battalion. In 1981 he reported to El Salvador where he served a one year tour as the U.S. Advisor to the El Salvadorian 4th Infantry Brigade, U.S. Military Advisory Group, El Salvador. He then served on the staff of U.S. Special Operations Command, in the J-3 Directorate.  His next assignment was as the Commander, 1st Battalion, 3d Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  In July 1993, he was assigned as the G-3 and later Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Special Forces Command (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  In 1995, he assumed command of the 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne), Fort Bragg, North Carolina.  Selected for promotion to brigadier general, he served as the Deputy Commanding General/Chief of Staff, U.S. Army Special Operations Command, until he took command of SOCSOUTH in 1998. Born in Miami, Florida, General Parker has attended numerous Military Schools including the Special Forces Qualification Course, the Ranger Course, Infantry Officer Basic and Advanced Courses; Armed Forces Staff College; and U.S. Army War College.  His educational degrees are a BBA in Management from Fort Lauderdale University and an MA in Procurement/Contract Management from Webster University. His awards include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Bronze Star Medal with "V" Device, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Meritorious Service Medal (with four Oak Leaf Clusters), Army Commendation Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Joint Service Achievement Medal (with Oak Leaf Cluster), Army Achievement Medal, Republic of El Salvador Combat Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Expert Infantry Badge, Master Parachutist Badge, Military Freefall Parachutist Badge, Ranger and Special Forces Tabs.

Our Guest Speaker - Memorial Day 2002