Colonel Glenn E. Palmer is the Commander of Air Force Basic Military Training (BMT) at the 737th Training Group, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. He commands the Air Force's sole BMT group comprised of nine squadrons, more than 650 permanent party personnel, and a daily student load of more than 6,000. The group conducts all aspects of the Air Force's enlisted recruit training program, and ensures the orderly transition from civilian to military life for 45,000 Active Duty, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve non-prior service accessions annually. He is responsible for all aspects of BMT to include personnel processing, curriculum development, scheduling, job classification, resource management, supervision; including the care, professional development, performance and leadership of all officers, military training instructors and basic trainees.
Colonel Palmer entered active duty in 1976 and served as an enlisted combat controller until 1993, when he received his commission through Officer Training School (OTS). His career has included assignments as an operations officer, major command Inspector General officer, executive officer at the headquarters level, and squadron commander. Colonel Palmer was directly involved during the earliest planning stages of Operations URGENT FURY, ENDURING FREEDOM and IRAQI FREEDOM, and supported numerous contingency and humanitarian relief missions throughout Europe, Africa, Caribbean, and Central and South America. Prior to assuming his current position, he was the deputy chief of Concept Development and Experimentation (Skunk Works), HQ USAF, Pentagon, Wash., D.C.
EDUCATION
1992 Bachelor of Science (Summa Cum-Laude), Southern Illinois University, Carbondale, IL
1997 Squadron Officer School (Distinguished Graduate), Maxwell Air Force Base, AL
2002 Master of Arts in Organizational Sciences, The George Washington University, Wash., DC
2005 U.S. Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Quantico, VA
2006 Master of Military Science, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, AL
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Sep 1976 - Oct 1976, Basic Military Training School, Lackland AFB, TX
2. Oct 1976 - Mar 1977, Student, Air Traffic Control School, Keesler AFB, MS
3. Apr 1977 - Jun 1979, Combat Control Operator, Pope AFB, NC
4. Jul 1979 - Aug 1981, Combat Control Operator, Rhein-Main AB, Germany
5. Aug 1981 - Dec 1984, Noncommissioned Officer In-Charge, Combat Control Team, Element
Two, Hurlburt Field, FL
6. Dec 1984 - Dec 1988, Superintendent, Combat Control, Detachment 1, 1723d Combat Control
Squadron, Rhein-Main AB, Germany
7. Dec 1988 - Nov 1992, Superintendent, Combat Control Requirements and Acquisitions;
Chief, Standardization and Training, HQ Air Mobility Command, Scott AFB, IL
8. Nov 1992 - Mar 1993, Student, Officer Training School, Medina Annex, Lackland AFB, TX
9. Jul 1993 - May 1996, Operations Officer, 437th Combat Control Squadron, Charleston AFB, SC
10. May 1996 - Mar 1999, Chief, Special Tactics Operations, Special Operations Command South,
Corozal East, Republic of Panama
11. Mar 1999 - Jul 2000, Inspector General, Chief, Special Tactics Inspections, HQ AFSOC
Hurlburt Field, FL
12. Jul 2000 - Jun 2002, Air Force Intern, HQ USAF, Washington, DC
13. Jul 2002 - Jul 2003, Chief, Special Operations Strategy and Issues, Directorate of Strategic
Planning, DCS, Plans and Programs (HQ USAF), Pentagon, Washington, DC
14. Aug 2003 - Jun 2004, Executive Officer, Directorate of Strategic Planning, DCS, Plans and
Programs (HQ USAF), Pentagon, Washington, DC
15. Jul 2004 - Jun 2005, Student, Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Quantico, VA
16. Jul 2005 - Jun 2006, Student, School of Advanced Air and Space Studies, Maxwell AFB, AL
17. Jun 2006 - Jun 2008, Commander, 823d Security Forces Squadron, Moody AFB, GA
18. Jun 2008 - Jul 2008, Strategist, Strategic Studies Group, Checkmate (HAF/CK), HQ USAF
Pentagon, Washington, DC
19. Jul 2008 - Aug 2008, Senior Executive Officer, Deputy, Vice Chief of Staff, HQ USAF,
Pentagon, Washington, DC
20. Aug 2008 - Aug 2010, Deputy Division Chief, Concept Development and Experimentation
(Skunk Works), Directorate Operations and Plans, HQ USAF, Pentagon, Washington, DC
21. Aug 2010 - Jul 2011, Deputy Group Commander, 720th Special Tactics Group, Hurlburt Field,
22. Jul 2011 - Present, Commander, 737th Training Group, Lackland Air Force Base, TX
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Bronze Star with Valor (one oak leaf cluster)
Defense Meritorious Service Medal
Meritorious Service Medal (five oak leaf clusters)
Joint Service Commendation Medal (two oak leaf clusters)
Air Force Commendation Medal (four oak leaf clusters)
Joint Service Achievement Medal (two oak leaf clusters)
Air Force Achievement Medal (two oak leaf clusters)
Army Achievement Medal
FLIGHT INFORMATION
Rating: Master Parachutist, Master Military Freefall Parachutist
Parachute Jumps: 600+
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
1986 Airlift Association Young Leadership Award
1986 Air Mobility Command Combat Control Noncommissioned Officer of the Year
1988 United States Air Force Twelve Outstanding Airmen of the Year
1993 1st Honor Graduate, Officer Training School
1993 Air Mobility Command Junior Combat Control Officer of the Year
2003 HQ USAF, Directorate of Plans and Programs, Company Grade Officer of the Year
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Second Lieutenant Mar 1993
First Lieutenant Mar 1995
Captain Mar 1997
Major Jul 2003
Lieutenant Colonel Sep 2007
Colonel Sep 2011
(Current as of Aug 2011)