Colonel Palmer was born in Indianapolis, Indiana, but is a New Englander who was raised in California, New Jersey, New York, New Hampshire, and Germany.  After earning a Bachelor of Arts in history from the State University of New York and a Juris Doctorate from Western New England College, School of Law, Colonel Palmer was commissioned a second lieutenant in April 1987.

Following Naval Justice School, Lieutenant Palmer was assigned to the 1st Marine Amphibious Brigade, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, where he served as a legal assistance attorney, trial counsel and Special Assistant U.S. Attorney.  During this period, he was also assigned as the Executive Officer, Motor Transport Company, 1st Brigade Service Support Group-1.

In 1990, then Captain Palmer deployed to Southwest Asia where he served as an Operational Law Advisor to U.S. Marine Forces, U.S. Central Command, Saudi Arabia.  He was then assigned to the 1st Military Police Company, 1st Marine Division and participated in the ground invasion of Kuwait during Operation Desert Storm.

In 1991, Captain Palmer reported to The Judge Advocate General School, U.S. Army, Charlottesville, Virginia, where he earned a Master of Laws in Military Law specializing in International Law.  In June 1992, Captain Palmer reported to the 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing, Marine Corps Air Station Cherry Point, North Carolina, where from 1992 until 1995 he held billets as the Senior Defense Counsel, Deputy Staff Judge Advocate, Chief Trial Counsel, and operational law advisor.

In 1995, Captain Palmer reported to Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps, Washington, DC, where he served as the Deputy, Military Law Branch, Judge Advocate Division.  In 1998, then Major Palmer transferred to Stuttgart, Germany, as an Assistant Legal Advisor, U.S. European Command.  During June 1999, he deployed to Pristina, Kosovo, and served as a legal advisor to the NATO Kosovo Force.

In 2001, Lieutenant Colonel Palmer was assigned as the Staff Judge Advocate, 1st Marine Aircraft Wing, III Marine Expeditionary Force, Okinawa, Japan.  From July 2003 and until July 2005, he commanded the Marine Corps Security Forces at Naval Submarine Base, Kings Bay, Georgia.  He was next assigned as a National Security Fellow at the John F. Kennedy School of Government at Harvard University and was promoted to his current grade in January 2006.  From May 2006 through July 2009 he served as the Staff Judge Advocate, U.S. Marine Corps Forces Command in Norfolk, Virginia.  During this period he deployed to Afghanistan where he served as the Director, Political-Military Affairs from January 2008 to February 2009.  Most recently, he was assigned as the Staff Judge Advocate, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune.

Colonel Palmer’s personal awards include:  Legion of Merit (with gold star), Navy and Marine Corps Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal (with oak leaf cluster), Meritorious Service Medal (with two gold stars), Joint Service Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal (with oak leaf cluster), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon.