Gunnery Sgt. Craig Palmer currently serves as the drum major of the 1st Marine Division Band. In this capacity he directs, trains, and manages the musical performance of the ceremonial band while on the march and instructs band personnel in drill specific to Marine bands. Gunnery Sgt. Palmer also manages the band’s administration and operations sections.
Gunnery Sgt. Palmer enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 2009 and completed Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina and Marine Combat Training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He completed the Basic Music Course in 2010 at the Armed Forces School of Music in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Gunnery Sgt. Palmer served as a saxophone instrumentalist in the following Fleet Marine Bands: Parris Island Marine Band (2010-2012); 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band (2013-2015); 2nd Marine Division Band (2018-2020); and Marine Band San Diego (2021-2022). As do all fleet Marine musicians, Gunnery Sgt. Palmer served in a variety of music, collateral duty, and leadership roles, to include platoon leadership.
From 2015-2018, Gunnery Sgt. Palmer served as a recruiter with Recruiting Station Louisville.
Gunnery Sgt. Palmer was promoted to his current rank in 2024 and served as a drum major of the following fleet Marine band: Marine Band San Diego (2022-2024).
Gunnery Sgt. Palmer attended the Unit Leader Course (2021), Advanced Musician Course (2023) and is a graduate of the Advanced Course (2025). His awards include the Navy Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2nd award), and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4th award).