Wakefield, Massachusetts Native Supports Navy Recruiting, Training

From Naval Education and Training Command Public Affairs

PENSACOLA, Fla. – A 1980 Wakefield High School graduate and Wakefield, Massachusetts native served with the U.S. Navy as command force judge advocate at Naval Education and Training Command (NETC), charged with the recruiting and training of Sailors in the world’s finest Navy.

Capt. Michael Palmer was part of the team that takes Sailors from “street to fleet” by transforming civilians into highly skilled, operational, and combat-ready warfighters, as well as providing the tools and opportunities for continuous learning and development.

Palmer served at NETC from August 2015 to November 2018 before retiring after 30 years of military service.

“It has been both an honor and privilege to wear the cloth of our nation and support the men and women of our Navy team,” said Palmer.

As a Navy judge advocate, Palmer served as a claims attorney, trial defense counsel, prosecutor, staff judge advocate afloat and ashore, and commanding officer.

“Our people have always been our greatest advantage in the Navy over any competitor,” said Rear Adm. Kyle Cozad, NETC commander. “What we do at NETC is critical in the competition for talent, and every day we are improving the recruitment, training, and education for the best Sailors in the world.”

Palmer earned his commission as a Navy judge advocate in 1998.

He obtained a bachelor’s degree in legal studies from the University of Massachusetts at Amherst; a juris doctorate from Suffolk University Law School, Boston, Massachusetts; and masters of law degree in environmental law from George Washington University Law School, Washington DC.

“One of the most exciting initiatives that every service member and government employee serving at NETC is in some way, shape, or form a part of is what we call Ready, Relevant Learning,” said Cozad. “I am so proud of our team’s efforts to ensure that Sailors have the right technical skills at the right time during their careers.”

Palmer is the son of the late John and Regina Palmer, who resided in Wakefield, Massachusetts.

Ready, Relevant Learning is part of Sailor 2025, which is the Navy's program to more effectively recruit, develop, manage, reward and retain the force of tomorrow.

NETC oversees the Navy’s recruiting force, boot camp, officer development and training programs, enlisted technical training, civilian credentialing and voluntary education opportunities, the Navy Advancement Center, and international training programs. For more information on NETC, visit https://www.public.navy.mil/netc or follow NETC on Facebook at www.facebook.com/netcpao.