Peter Schoomaker

Peter Schoomaker
General Peter J. Schoomaker 35th Chief of Staff of the U.S. Army
Birth name	Peter Jan Schoomaker
Born	(1946-02-12) February 12, 1946 (age 71) Michigan
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1969–2000, 2003–2007
Rank	General
Commands held	Army Chief of Staff United States Special Operations Command
Battles/wars	Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm
Awards	Defense Distinguished Service Medal Army Distinguished Service Medal Defense Superior Service Medal Legion of Merit Bronze Star Defense Meritorious Service Medal Meritorious Service Medal
Relations	LTG Eric Schoomaker (brother)

Peter Jan Schoomaker (born February 12, 1946) is a retired four-star general of the United States Army and served as the 35th Chief of Staff of the United States Army from August 1, 2003 to April 10, 2007. Schoomaker's appointment as Chief of Staff was unique in that he was recalled and came out from retirement to assume the position. Schoomaker voluntarily retired from the Army for the second time in 2007 after completing the full four-year term as Chief of Staff.

Prior to his last assignment, Schoomaker spent over 30 years in a variety of assignments with both conventional and special operations forces – he is the first Special Forces-trained Army Chief of Staff and the second to serve on the Joint Chiefs of Staff (General Henry H. Shelton was the first, when he served as Chairman).

His brother, Lieutenant General Eric Schoomaker, was the 42nd Surgeon General of the United States Army.

Schoomaker was born on February 12, 1946 in Michigan. He was raised in an army family. After attending East Lansing High School, Schoomaker graduated from the University of Wyoming in 1969 with a Bachelor of Science degree in education administration. A football player, he was a starter on Wyoming's Sugar Bowl team. He holds a Master of Arts degree in management from Central Michigan University, and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Hampden–Sydney College.