UNG alum assumes military command

Brig. Gen. Charles “Rob” Parker, ‘93, has taken on a new role as commanding general of the U.S. Army 7th Signal Command (Theater) and deputy commanding general for the U.S. Army Network Enterprise Technology Command.

The University of North Georgia alumnus commands a nationwide workforce of more than 6,000 soldiers and civilians across the continental United States conducting Department of Defense Information Network Operations to enable all warfighting functions for the Army and Joint Force. He is now stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland, after four years in various roles at the Pentagon.

Parker’s area of command oversees communications for the Army throughout the continental U.S. while also providing cybersecurity defense.

“In the Army, we’re lucky to have these people from different walks of life who have committed their lives to protecting our nation,” he said. “They deserve the best leadership, the best equipment, and the best systems. That’s a high bar. My goal is to wake up each day and help deliver that.”

Parker earned a Bachelor of Science in biology from UNG, a Master of Science in telecommunications management from Webster University, and a Master of Strategic Studies from the Army War College. He is a graduate of the Army Force Integration Course, Joint C4 Systems Planner’s Course, Army Basic Parachutist Course, the U.S. Navy’s Survival, Evasion, Resistance and Escape course, and the Army’s Northern Warfare Course in Alaska.

“When I reflect on my time at UNG, it’s the skills, attributes and insights learned during those four-plus years that never go out of style,” Parker said. “They taught me to lead with character, competence, compassion, and commitment.”

Parker’s awards and decorations include the Defense Superior Service Medal, Legion of Merit with three bronze oak leaf clusters, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal with a bronze oak leaf, Army Meritorious Service Medal with a silver oak leaf, Army Commendation Medal, and Army Achievement Medal. He is a recipient of the Army Signal Regiment’s Bronze Order of Mercury and the Armor Regiment’s Order of St. Martin, and he earned the German Schutzenschnur medal.

Parker was promoted to brigadier general in July 2020. Prior to his current role, he served as deputy director for command, control, communications, and computer/cyber systems for the Joint Staff out of the Pentagon. Parker also previously served within the Headquarters Department of the Army G-8 (resource management) as the director of joint and integration.

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