Command Sgt. Maj. Parry L. Baer

Command Sergeant Major

Assumed Responsibilities on December 10, 2007

Photo of Command Sgt. Maj. Parry L. Baer

Command Sergeant Major Parry L. Baer was born in Croswell, Michigan on Oct. 12, 1958 and entered the U.S. Army on Nov. 1, 1977. After completion of Basic Combat Training and Advanced Individual Training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., in 1978, he was assigned to the 4^th Infantry Division (Mech.). He volunteered for Airborne and Special Forces training in 1980 and upon completion in 1981, he was assigned to Company C, 1^st Battalion, 5^th Special Forces Group (Airborne).
From 1981-1996, Baer served in several positions on Special Forces Operational Detachments Alpha 533, 534 and 514 within the 1^st Battalion, 5^th Special Forces Group (A). These positions included detachment engineer sergeant and assistant operations / intelligence sergeant on SFODAs 533 and 534 and as the team sergeant of SFODA 514 for over 5 years. His assignments as a sergeant major within Special Forces have been as the company sergeant major, for Company C, 1^st Battalion, 5^th Special Forces Group and as the S-3 operations sergeant major for the 5^th Special Forces Group.
In May 2000, Baer was assigned as the Command Sergeant Major of the 2^nd Battalion, 7^th Special Forces Group (A). In April 2002, he was reassigned as the Command Sergeant Major of the 1^st Battalion, 5^th Special Forces Group (A). From January 2003 through February 2006, he was assigned as the Command Sergeant Major of the 5^th Special Forces Group (A). In December 2007, he became the Command Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command .
Baer has participated in combat operations throughout his career from Operation Desert Storm through the current Global War on Terrorism. His most current combat assignments during Operation Iraqi Freedom include one tour as the Command Sergeant Major for Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force West and 3 tours as the Command Sergeant Major for Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force Arabian Peninsula.
Baer’s military education and schooling include every level of Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development, from the Primary Noncommissioned Officers Course / Combat Arms to the United States Army Sergeants Major Course. Additionally, he is a graduate of the following military courses: Airborne, Ranger, Special Forces Qualification Course, Static-line Jumpmaster, SERE, Special Forces Operations and Intelligence Course, Joint Firepower Control Course, Special Operations Training Course, Turkish Language Course, Basic Military Free Fall Course and Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Course.
His awards and decorations include the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star (4 OLC) w/ V, Meritorious Service Medal (3 OLC), Army Commendation Medal (4 OLC), Army Achievement Medal (4 OLC), Good Conduct Medal (9th Award) and National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award). He has earned the Combat Infantryman Badge (2nd Award), Special Forces Tab, Ranger Tab, Master Parachutist Badge, and Military Free Fall Jumpmaster Badge. He also has been awarded the Parachute Badge from the following countries: Greece, Jordan, Kenya, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates.