User:Stuntman62/Terry "Cowboy" Parker

'Cowboy, or Terry W. Parker' (b. 1962) is a writer, artist, entertainment rigger, entrepreneur, stuntman, recognized rock climber, veteran of Special Operations forces, entertainment and rigging engineer and designer, aerialist, endurance racer, boxer, martial artist, and activist.

Of Cherokee/Blackfoot/Scots-Irish ancestry, Terry W. Parker served sixteen-years with Special Operations and other elite military forces, before retiring and dedicating his life to his love of climbing, rigging engineering, and adrenaline sports, as well as art. Having first served with the infamous 82nd Airborne Division and participating in the invasion of Granada, as well as Panama and numerous other high-profile/low-key operations, such as the Multi National Forces and Observers in Egypt/Israel, the invasion preparation into El Salvador, and the invasion/blocking force preparation into East Germany. He then was selected for Ranger training where he became the first non-officer recipient of the coveted Honor Graduate award and was assigned to the 1/75th Ranger Battalion at Hunter Army Airfield, outside Savannah, GA. Following a short stint with the Rangers, Terry W. Parker was selected to attend the Special Forces Qualification Course (Q-Course) where he once again received Honor Graduate status upon completion and was awarded his choice of A-team assignment. Having been an accomplished sniper while in the Ranger battalion, he was immediately granted his assignment request to the 5th Special Forces Group at Ft. Bragg, NC, where he once again became an accomplished sniper, weapons expert, as well as an accomplished demolitions/engineer, communications expert, and also served as a qualified medic for a Special Forces A-Team. During his tenure with 5th Special Forces, Terry Parker received his second Combat Infantry Badge (CIB), the coveted Jump Master award, and became proficient in scuba diving operations as well as HALO and HAHO operations. Terry W. Parker conducted numerous Classified operations to countries abroad, while serving with 5th Special Forces Group and was awarded some of the countries most coveted citations for bravery and valor. The highest award received being the Distinguished Service Medal with bronze "V" attached, for valor. Followed by the Soldier's Medal (2 awards), the Bronze Star with "V" attached for valor (2 awards), the Purple Heart, the Meritorious Service Medal (4 awards), the Army Commendation Medal (6 awards), the Army Achievement Medal (7 awards), as well as numerous occupation and campaign awards.

While serving with Operational Detachment (ODA) 553, 5th Special Forces Group, Terry was selected to attend the exclusive and secretive Advanced Land Navigation Course, which serves as the training selection course for the elite ODA-Delta, or DELTA Force. Terry was the only graduate of his class, which began with 233 other elite and hand-selected military personnel. After a short tour with the elite DELTA Force, Terry "Cowboy" Parker was hand-picked to try-out, train for, and eventually join a covert operations unit which operates within the Special Projects Branch of the U.S. Department of State and co-sponsored and regulated with Congressional oversight by the U.S. Department of Defense. Terry retired from Special Projects Branch in 1996 with numerous achievements and accolades. Having served in multiple operations abroad, including but not limited to; four missions to Somalia, SCUD hunting operations during Desert Storm, numerous hostage rescue operations, as well as many others.

During the final years of Parker's (Cowboy's) military service, he began working as a stuntman and regularly performed stunts as the mascot for numerous NFL, NHL, and NBA professional sports teams. He was also an avid and recognized/sponsored rock climber, having achieved professional status. Upon his retirement from military service, he pursued his love of rock climbing and was a contributing author of numerous articles to industry publications as well as the author of several climbing guides (most noteworthy being "Searching For Stone") and the author of the U.S. Army Special Operations Mountaineering Manual. He continued to serve his country for several years as the principle civilian instructor for Special Operations Mountaineering Operations, prior to the official opening of the Special Operations Mountaineering School.

Following the terrorists attacks of 9/11, Terry re-enlisted into Special Operations. He was immediately assigned to the secretive Survival Evasion Resistance Escape (SERE) course where he guided the development of Desert Survival Techniques for forces deploying to Afghanistan and Iraq, as well as assisted in the development and training of the Hand-to-Hand Combat portion of the school.

Terry Parker has continued to work as a climbing guide and instructor, stuntman, and entertainment rigger and designer. He currently works independently and has worked by request for such notable artists as the Eagles, Motley Crue, Bett Midler, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Sir Paul McCartney, Gwen Stefani, Beyonce, the Jonas Brothers, Nine Inch Nails, Miley Cyrus, as well as others. He continues to pursue his love of art and adrenaline sports.

Terry is divorced. His children, Heather, Dustin and Zoe currently reside in Tennessee. Heather is married and has two children of her own and works in the medical field. Dusty is an artist, musician and student.