Leader's bio

Sgt. Maj., 3rd Maintenance Battalion
Sergeant Major Rupert K. Palmer

    Rupert K. Palmer enlisted in the delayed entry program February 1998.  In July 1998, Sergeant Major Palmer graduated recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island (MCRD PI), South Carolina.  Shortly after graduation from Marine Combat Training, he reported to Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri where he attended Primary Military Occupation Specialty (MOS) School.  Upon completion from the Motor Vehicle Operator's Course he was assigned the Motor Vehicle Operator MOS (3531).  Throughout his tenure, he has served as a Motor Vehicle Operator, Ammunition Driver, Cannon Driver, Dispatcher, Regimental Commander's Driver, Instructor, Platoon Sergeant, Road Master, Company Gunnery Sergeant, and Operations Chief at various units within 2d Marine Division, 3rd Marine Air Wing, and 3d Marine Logistics Group.
       From January 1999 to March 2002, he was assigned to Alpha Battery, 1st Battalion, 10th Marines.  In March of 2002 he was transferred to Motor Transport Maintenance Instructional Company, Logistics Operations School, Camp Johnson, North Carolina.  He was subsequently assigned to MCRD PI, in December 2004 to January 2008.  While assigned to Company H, 2d Recruit Training Battalion, and Special Training Company, Sergeant Major Palmer served as a Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and Platoon Commander at MCRD PI.  He then transferred to Marine Wing Support Squadron 373, 3rd Marine Air Craft Wing, Miramar, California January 2008 to May 2011.  In May 2011 to August 2014, he served as an Assistant Marine Officer Instructor (AMOI) at the University of Southern California.  During this tour he served on two summer assignments as a Sergeant Instructor at Officer Candidates School, Quantico, Virginia.  Upon completion of his tour as an AMOI he was assigned to Combat Logistics Regiment 3, from August 2014 to June 2017.  He was reassigned to MCRD PI, from June 2017 to March 2021, where he served in the following units; Company First Sergeant for Company L and M, Third Recruit Training Battalion; Company First Sergeant for Company N and P, Fourth Recruit Training Battalion; Company First Sergeant for Headquarters Company, Headquarters and Service Battalion.
       He was promoted to his current rank in February 2021 and executed orders to 5th Air Naval Gunfire Liaison Company, III MEF Information Group, III Marine Expeditionary Force Okinawa, Japan.  He was subsequently assigned in December 2022 as the Sergeant Major of 3d Maintenance Battalion, 3D Sustainment Group (Experimental), 3D Marine Logistics Group, Okinawa, Japan. 
       His deployments for training and operational experience includes: Battle Griffin (Norway), CAX/ITX at 29 Palms, 22nd Marine Expeditionary Unit (2001), Operation Iraqi Freedom 08.2, and Operation Enduring Freedom 10.2.
       His personal decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal with two gold stars, the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with two Gold Stars, and the Outstanding Volunteer Medal.

3d Marine Logistics Group