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Schriever Defender Earns Award for Leadership
By Airman 1st Class William Tracy, 50th Space Wing Public Affairs, March 02, 2017

Capt. Adam Palmer, 50th Security Forces Squadron, was recently awarded the Air Force Security Forces Association Company Grade Officer of the Year award for the Front Range for his exceptional work as an operations officer. Tasks accomplished under his leadership included leading teams for the president’s Air Force Academy visit and organizing drivers for Olympic Committee athletes. (U.S. Air Force graphic/Airman 1st Class William Tracy)

SCHRIEVER AIR FORCE BASE, Colo.-- --
For Capt. Adam Palmer, earning the Air Force Security Forces Association (AFSFA) Company Grade Officer of the Year award for the Front Range is a reflection of his merits, those of his mentors and the Airmen he leads.

“Winning this award is a true testament to the outstanding Airmen I’ve had the pleasure of leading, as well as the incredible leadership and mentors who have invested countless hours into developing me as a young officer,” said Palmer. “I couldn’t be more grateful.”

The AFSFA CGO award is given to exceptional officers whose performance was worthy of recognition among SF personnel throughout the Front Range. Palmer received the award for his leadership at the 50th Security Forces Squadron as an operations officer.

“Palmer has expertly acted on behalf of commanders during their absence and led the unit for a number of weeks,” said Lt. Col. Michael Speck, 50 SFS commander. “As an operations officer, he leads the bulk of the unit Airmen and does so with extreme confidence.”

Palmer was prior enlisted for five years before commissioning as an officer, joining the Air Force in 2007. His interest in law enforcement and helping people led him to Security Forces. His enlisted service developed his passion for leadership and he decided to commission.

“When I commissioned in 2012, I knew I wanted to remain in the career field because of the opportunities it provides junior officers to lead large amounts of Airmen, which is my greatest passion,” said Palmer.

Since being assigned to the 50 SFS, Speck said Palmer’s leadership capabilities have excelled.

“He leads the largest section, in the unit with the youngest of the youngest Airmen assigned, in a superb manner,” he said.

Speck cited numerous examples of Palmer’s leadership accomplishments, including leading teams for the president’s Air Force Academy visit and organizing drivers for Olympic Committee athletes. 

“While in pre-deployment training, he was the defense force commander responsible for 256 enlisted personnel. He led his Airmen through relentless leadership through his assigned Senior NCO Corps to accomplish all training and personnel requirements,” he said. 

Palmer hopes the award will be one of many highlights in a long Air Force career. 

“I plan to remain in the Air Force and ultimately retire,” said Palmer. “My time in this career field has been extremely rewarding. I have learned more from my Airmen than I could have ever imagined. I have also had excellent commanders who have always been supportive of my career desires and have pushed me to continuously better myself.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed this chapter of my life and wouldn’t trade it for the world,” he said.