 When the Royal Green Jackets were merged with others in 2007 to form The Rifles, he became Colonel Commandant of the new regiment until replaced in 2013 by Lt-General Nick Carter.From 2008 Parker was the President of the "Peninsular War 200", the official UK organisation for the commemoration of the Peninsular War (1808–1814).Parker was appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire in 2001 and appointed Knight Commander of the Order of the Bath in the 2009 Birthday Honours.