 On 29 July 2010 Parker was named as the next Commander-in-Chief, Land Forces in succession to General Sir Peter Wall.Parker took over as Commander-in-Chief Land Forces on 1 October 2010 and was granted the substantive rank of general.For his service in Afghanistan, General Parker was presented with his NATO ribbon by the overall allied commander in Afghanistan, US General David Petraeus, in addition to this Petraeus also presented General Parker with a US Meritorious Service Medal; furthermore Parker also received the Afghan President's Award from its Minister of Defence.