Commanding Officer

Lt.Col. Chandler enlisted in the Marine Corps in June 1971. Trained as anelectrical equipment repairman, he was assigned to Marine Wing Control Squadron 18, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing. Chandler then rotated to Camp Lejuene, N.C., and served with the 32d Marine Amphibious Unit in the Mediterranean from 1973 to 1975. He was promoted to staff sergeant in 1976 and was appointed a warrant officer in 1977.

After completing Warrant Officers' Course, Chandler was assigned as the maintenance officer at Marine Barracks, Hawaii, and then transferred to WES-17, 1st MAW in 1981. He served as squadron logistics officer and engineer officer for Detachment "D", Marine Wing Support Group 17 for Team Spirit '82. He was promoted to first lieutenant on Aug. 1, 1982.

Chandler was then transferred to 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Force Service Support Group, Camp Pendleton, Calif. He was assigned duties as motor transport officer for six months before assuming command of the 1st Bulk Fuel Company in May 1983. He was promoted to captain in October 1984 and was selected to attend the Officer Degree Completion Program that same month. He graduated from National University summa cum laude in human behavior with an emphasis in chemical dependence, May 1986.

Upon graduation, Chandler was transferred to 9th Engineer Support Battalion, 3rd FSSG, Okinawa. He was the executive officer of Engineer Support Company for ten months prior to assuming command of the 1st Bulk Fuel Company. During this period, he attended and graduated from the University of Maryland with a Masters of Science Degree in education. He was selected for major in May 1988, and transferred to Field Supply and Maintenance Officer 1 in May 1989.

As the assistant officer in charge at FSMAO-1, he applied for and was given an unrestricted commission in November 1989. While at FSMAO-1, he conducted more than 200 analyses. He was officer in charge of all Remain Behind Equipment within II Marine Expeditionary Force/Fleet Marine Forces Atlantic and was subsequently positioned as a member of the Combat Service Support Element for the Headquarters Marine Corps Battle Assessment Team assigned in support of I MEF operations in Southwest Asia. He was selected for duty as a student at the Marine Corps Command and Staff College in 1992.

He graduated in 1993 and was assigned as the support officer for the Special Operations Training Group (SOTG) at II MEF. In July 1994, he transferred to the 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit (Special Operations Capable) as logistics officer and participated in Operation Support Democracy. He remained with the 24th MEU (SOC) throughout its workup and deployment as Landing Force Sixth Fleet. He was the operations planner with COMSTRIKFORSOUTH while the 24th MEU(SOC) provided CSAR and Tactical Recovery of Aircraft and Personnel (TRAP) for Operation Deny Flight and contingency planning with the Joint Task Force for Operation Provide Promise in the former Yugoslavia. Promoted to his present rank July 1, 1995, he completed his deployment with the 24th MEU(SOC) then transferred to 1st MAW. He served as the executive officer of Marine Wing Support Group 17, before being assigned to the 31st MEU(SOC).

He is married to the former Teresa Ann Johnting. They have two children, Jill and Gregg.