Mark A. Schafer

Schafer attended the United States Naval Academy, graduating in 1994 and was commissioned as an Ensign in the U.S. Navy. Schafer volunteered for Basic Underwater Demolition/SEAL training (BUD/S) at Naval Amphibious Base Coronado. After six months of training, Schafer graduated with BUD/S class 197 in 1995.^[2] His first operational assignment was with SEAL Team TWO as assistant platoon commander. Following SEAL Tactical Training (STT) and completion of six month probationary period, he received the 1130 designator as a Naval Special Warfare Officer, entitled to wear the Special Warfare insignia. Schafer later served as platoon commander with SEAL Team FOUR. In 2001 Schafer volunteered for assignment to Naval Special Warfare Development Group (NSWDG) in Damneck, Virginia and completed a specialized selection and training course. Schafer served as troop commander till 2004 where he planned, rehearsed and operated during classified exercises and operations including deployments to Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom. Schafer earned a master's degree in Business Administration at the Naval Postgraduate School in 2009.^[3] Schafer's Naval Special Warfare (NSW) staff and command assignments include Operations officer, Joint Special Operations Command; Executive officer and Squadron Commander, Tactical Development and Evaluation Squadron THREE, NSWDG; Director of Selection and Training, NSWDG; Commanding officer, Naval Special Warfare Basic Training Command; Deputy Commander, Naval Special Warfare Development Group; Commanding officer, Naval Special Warfare Group TWO; Director of Operations J3, Joint Special Operations Command.^[4]

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