Captain William A. Palmer is a native of Birmingham, Alabama, and enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1989. Following recruit training in San Diego, California, and aviation electronics training in Millington, Tennessee, he completed tours at Naval Air Station (NAS) Oceana, Virginia, Naval Station (NS) Mayport and NAS Jacksonville, Florida, and multiple deployments aboard USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67) and USS CONSTELLATION (CV 64).
In 2000, he received his commission following Officer Candidate School and was designated an Aerospace Maintenance Duty Officer (AMDO). He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business, a Master of Arts Degree in Human Resource Management and is a member of the Defense Acquisition Corps.
CAPT Palmer’s operational assignments include tours as Material Control Officer (MCO)/Maintenance Material Control Officer (MMCO) in Sea Control Squadron 31 (VS-31) aboard USS JOHN F. KENNEDY (CV 67), MMCO/Assistant Maintenance Officer (AMO) in Strike Fighter Squadron 211 (VFA-211) aboard USS ENTERPRISE (CVN 65), Carrier Air Group Maintenance Officer (CAGMO) in Carrier Air Wing 17 (CVW-17) aboard USS CARL VINSON (CVN 70) and Aircraft Intermediate Maintenance Department Officer (AIMDO) aboard USS HARRY S. TRUMAN (CVN 75).
CAPT Palmer’s shore tours include Airframes Division Officer/Quality Assurance Officer in Marine Aviation Logistics Squadron 24 (MALS-24), MCAS Kaneohe, Hawaii; Assistance Maintenance Officer/Readiness Officer at Commander, Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic (CSFWL), NAS Oceana, Virginia; Deputy Assistant Program Manager for Logistics, F/A-18 and EA-18G Program Office (PMA-265) at Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR), Patuxent River, Maryland; Maintenance Officer, Commander, Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic (CSFWL), NAS Oceana, Virginia and Commanding Officer, Fleet Readiness Center Northwest (FRCNW), NAS Whidbey Island, Washington.
In April 2021, he reported to Fleet Readiness Center Southeast at NAS Jacksonville, Florida as executive officer and assumed command in April 2023.
His awards include the Meritorious Service Medal (five awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (two awards), the Commanding General III Marine Expeditionary Force Leadership Award, the PMA-265 Wingman Award, the Navy and Marine Association Leadership Award, and the Captain Virgil J. Lemmon Award for Naval Aviation Maintenance Excellence.