On August 1, 2003, the president and secretary of defense called General Peter Jan Schoomaker back to active duty. During his active service from 2003 to 2007, he not only became a member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff but also assumed the prestigious position of the 35th Chief of Staff of the Army.
General Schoomaker’s illustrious career also included a stint as the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Special Operations Command from 1997 to 2000, just before his initial retirement. With over 35 years in the military, he held various staff and command roles. Showcasing his dedication and leadership in conventional and special operations forces.
Following his retirement from active duty, General Schoomaker transitioned into an advisory role on defense matters. He has lent his expertise to multiple public, private, and nonprofit organizations, including the Special Operations Warrior Foundation, for over a decade.
His enduring commitment to national security and service remains a hallmark of his illustrious career.
The Unique Journey of General Peter Jan Schoomaker
General Peter Jan Schoomaker, a four-star general in the U.S. Army, was born on February 12, 1946. His career reached its zenith when he assumed the crucial role of the 35th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army. This is a position he held from August 1, 2003, to April 10, 2007.
This appointment was particularly remarkable. It is all because it necessitated his return from retirement. Therefore, it highlighted the special circumstances that led to his leadership during those years.
In 2007, after faithfully serving his four-year term as Chief of Staff, He decided to retire from the U.S. Army for the second time, marking the conclusion of a distinguished military career spanning several decades.
Before his tenure as Chief of Staff, Schoomaker had over thirty years of experience in diverse roles within conventional and special operations forces. Notably, he held the distinction of being the second individual to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff, following in the footsteps of General Henry H. Shelton.
It’s worth noting that General Schoomaker’s dedication to the military ran in the family, as his brother, Lieutenant General Eric Schoomaker, assumed the role of the 42nd Surgeon General of the United States Army.
Military Education and Career Development
Peter Jan Schoomaker was born on February 12, 1946, in Detroit, Michigan, and grew up in a family with a strong military background. He attended East Lansing High School before pursuing his higher education. Schoomaker earned a Bachelor of Science in education administration from the University of Wyoming in 1969. Interestingly, he was a football player who started for Wyoming in the Sugar Bowl.
Schoomaker pursued further education, graduating from Central Michigan University with a Master of Arts in management. In recognition of his achievements and dedication, Hampden-Sydney College gave him an Honorary Doctorate of Laws.
From August 1981 to June 1982, Schoomaker attended the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College to advance his military education and career.
Later, from August 1988 to June 1989, he attended the National War College to further his professional development. These experiences gave him the information and abilities he needed for a successful military career.
Peter Jan Schoomaker: Deployment and Career Ascendancy
Peter played a pivotal role in many deployment operations, including Eagle Claw in Iran, Urgent Fury in Grenada, Just Cause in Panama, Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm in Southwest Asia, and Uphold Democracy in Haiti.
Afterward, Schoomaker attended the United States Army Armor School at Fort Knox. In the early stages of his career, he assumed the role of Reconnaissance Platoon Leader. He also took the role of Rifle Company Commander with the 2nd Battalion, 4th Infantry. Soon, Peter became a Cavalry Troop Commander with the 1st Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment in Germany.
Schoomaker excelled in his military assignments. Then, he went on to attend the U.S. Army’s Command and General Staff College in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. He served as the Squadron Executive Officer for the 2nd Squadron, 2nd Armored Cavalry Regiment in Germany.
In August 1983, he returned to Fort Bragg to undertake the role of Special Operations Officer with J-3 at the Joint Special Operations Command. From August 1985 to August 1988, Schoomaker took command of another squadron. It is within the 1st Special Forces Operational Detachment Delta (1st SFOD-D).
Preparation for the Role of Chief of Staff
Schoomaker’s career progressed further as he took on important leadership positions. From July 1994 to August 1996, he headed the Joint Special Operations Command as its Commanding General. After that, he assumed leadership of the U.S. Army Special Operations Command in Fort Bragg, North Carolina, a position he held until October 1997.
He served as the Commander of the United States Special Operations Command at MacDill Air Force Base in Florida from November 1997 to November 2000. Then, he left the U.S. Army after completing this assignment.
Notably, during his tenure, Schoomaker sought approval for a mission to combat Al Qaeda in Afghanistan using his special operators. A fact highlighted by the 9/11 Commission.
In 2003, Schoomaker answered the call to return to active duty when U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld requested his service as Chief of Staff of the United States Army. Schoomaker fulfilled this role with distinction and retired after his tour of duty in 2007.
Peter Jan Schoomaker: Diverse Directorships and Consulting Endeavors
After retiring from active duty, Peter played significant roles in various professional capacities. He took on the position of Director at DynCorp and became a valuable member of the advisory boards for Camber Corporation and EWA-Government Systems Inc.
He was appointed Director at CAE USA Inc., where he served from November 2007 to February 2009. Since then, he has become more involved with CAE USA Inc. Peter is now on the Human Resources Committee. Moreover, he serves as an independent director and defense-focused consultant.
In addition to these roles, Schoomaker is a Director at Aeroflex Incorporated and shares his expertise with several private and nonprofit organizations, including the Special Operations Warrior Foundation. In 2018, he extended his impact by joining the board of directors at MAG Aerospace.
Throughout these diverse responsibilities, Schoomaker has consistently demonstrated his commitment to meaningful contributions to various sectors and causes.
