SFC Clay Parler was born in Charlotte, North Carolina, and joined the Army as a trumpet player in 2014. SFC Parler served in the 98th Army Band at Fort Rucker, Alabama, the TRADOC Band at Fort Eustis, Virginia, and the 282nd Army Band at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, before joining The U.S. Army Field Band as a Tour Coordinator in 2020. In 2016, SFC Parler was recognized as the Soldier of the Year at the U.S. Army Aviation Center of Excellence in Fort Rucker, Alabama. Prior to enlistment, SFC Parler earned a Master of Music degree from the University of Louisville and a Bachelor of Music degree from East Carolina University.