Rear Admiral Robert C. Parker

Director of Security & Intel
United States Southern Command

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Rear Admiral Robert C. Parker reported to U.S. Southern Command in March 2008. He assumed duties as the Command’s first Director of Security and Intelligence on 11 April 2008, where he directs U.S. military operations and intelligence efforts, and coordinates interagency operations in Southern Command’s theater. He is the first U.S. Coast Guard officer to serve as a Director in any Department of Defense command.

Rear Admiral Parker is a 1979 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy. He holds a graduate degree in National Security and Strategic Studies from the U.S. Naval War College, and completed a one-year National Security Fellowship at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard in 1999. He has over 12 years of sea duty, including 3 commands, that have included operations as diverse as counterdrug law enforcement, migrant operations and fisheries enforcement in the North Pacific, Gulf of Alaska, North Atlantic, Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, and search and rescue operations during the winter crab fishing season in the Bering Sea.

Rear Admiral Parker served as Deck Watch Officer aboard USCGC YOCONA in Astoria, Oregon. He also served as Executive Officer on USCGC CLOVER in Eureka, California and on USCGC CAMPBELL in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He commanded USCGC CAPE HEDGE, in Morro Bay, California, USCGC TAHOMA in New Bedford, Massachusetts and USCGC MELLON in Seattle, Washington.

His tours ashore included: Operations Center Duty Officer for the Twelfth Coast Guard District and Pacific Area in Alameda, California; Security Assistance Liaison Officer in Monrovia, Liberia; Professional Development Branch Chief at the Coast Guard Academy; Chief, Pacific Area Operational Forces Branch in Alameda California; Chief of Operations, Eleventh Coast Guard District in Alameda California; Chief of Staff, Thirteenth Coast Guard District in Seattle Washington; and Assistant Commandant for Capabilities in Washington DC.

Rear Admiral Parker’s awards include two Legions of Merit, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, four Meritorious Service Medals, the 9-11 Medal, two Coast Guard Commendation Medals, the Coast Guard Achievement Medal and various other personal and unit awards.

USCG/SNA Forum    March 25, 2009 U.S. Coast Guard Academy   Leamy Hall