Executive Officer

Captain Cindi L. Palacios
Medical Service Corps, USN
Executive Officer, Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command San Diego

Captain Cindi Palacios began her military career as an enlisted Hospital Corpsman in the United States Navy. She completed “A” School at Naval Hospital Corps School, San Diego, CA. Upon graduation she reported to her first duty station, Naval Hospital Okinawa, Japan.
 
In January 2002, she reported to Field Medical Service School, earning the “Top Doc” award and was later assigned as Leading Petty Officer of the Manpower Department at Naval Hospital Camp Lejeune. She earned a Bachelor of Applied Science in Information Systems Management from the University of Maryland in December 2002. That same month, she commissioned as an Ensign in the Medical Service Corps and she reported to 2d Dental Battalion, 2d Force Service Support Group, Camp Lejeune as the S3, Operations Officer and Head, Education and Training Department, while also holding collateral roles including Legal Officer, POMI Officer, Family Readiness Officer, and Classified Material/Security Officer. In January 2005, she deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom as Senior Watch Officer at the Medical Support Operation Center. In July 2006, she entered the Army-Baylor Graduate Program in Health & Business Administration at Fort Sam Houston, San Antonio, Texas, and was inducted into the Upsilon Phi Delta National Honor Society. By July 2008, she became Director for Administration at Naval Dental Center, overseeing 10 clinics supporting 88 personnel, and 63K beneficiaries on board Camp Lejeune, MCAS Cherry Point, and New River. In July 2011, she served as Manpower (M1) Fellow to Bureau of Medicine and Surgery and was assigned as the Dental Corps Personnel Planner and Command Equal Opportunity Manager. In 2013, she managed the Echelon II Sexual Assault Program for the Surgeon General of the Navy. She then went on to serve as Executive Assistant to the Chief of Staff, Bureau of Medicine and Surgery in 2015, later followed as the Deputy Director, Special Assistant Health Affairs, Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Manpower and Reserve Affairs. In 2018, she became the Deputy Executive Assistant to the Surgeon General of the Navy, coordinating and managing the Surgeon General’s goals and objectives with Department of Navy Staffs. In April 2021, she assumed the duties as Director for Administration, Naval Hospital Rota, Spain, leading 7 departments and 83 personnel while supporting 7K beneficiaries. On 21 July 2025, Captain Palacios assumed the duties of Executive officer for Navy Medicine Readiness and Training Command San Diego.
 
Her personal awards include Meritorious Service Medal (3), Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (5), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4), Navy Unit Commendation (2), Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy/Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon (5), Pistol Ribbon.