Rear Admiral Mark A. Schafer, a native of New Hartford, New York, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1994 and was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy. He earned his Naval Special Warfare insignia in 1995 and a Master of Business Administration degree from the Naval Postgraduate School in 2009.

Operationally, he has led Navy and Joint Special Operations Forces around the globe.  He served as the commanding officer of Naval Special Warfare Tactical Development and Evaluation Squadron THREE and commodore of Naval Special Warfare Group TWO.  Ashore, he was the commanding officer for Naval Special Warfare Basic Training Command.

His staff assignments include tours at the Joint Special Operations Command where he served as an operations planner, interagency task force director, and director of operations.  

As a flag officer, Schafer has served as Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Korea, and Commander, Special Operations Joint Task Force Central.

He assumed command of Special Operations Command South in June 2024.

Last Updated: 16 July 2025