HELMAND PROVINCE, Afghanistan - Colonel Turner, a native of Laurel, Md., joined the Marine Corps in June 1984, attending recruit training in Parris Island, SC. While serving in the Reserves, he attended the University of Maryland at College Park and graduated in May of 1989.
After commissioning, he attended The Basic School and the Infantry Officer’s Course then joined Kilo Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines. While in 3/5 from 1990 to 1993, he served as a Rifle Platoon Commander, 81mm Mortar Platoon Commander, and Kilo Company Commander. During his tour in 3/5, he participated in OPERATION DESERT SHIELD, OPERATION DESERT STORM, and OPERATION SEA ANGEL. Following this tour, he was assigned to The Basic School in Quantico, VA from 1993 to 1994. He was then selected to be an instructor at the Infantry Officer’s Course from 1994-1996.
Upon completion of this tour, he attended the Amphibious Warfare School (AWS). He was then assigned as the Commanding Officer, Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines. In this capacity, he deployed with the 31st MEU (SOC) in 1997-1998 to the Western Pacific. Following his selection to Major, he was transferred to 5th Marine Regiment as the Operations Officer. Col Turner was selected to attend the Marine Corps Command and Staff College in Quantico, VA from 2000 to 2001 earning a Masters Degree in Military Studies. In 2001, he was selected to command Marine Corps Recruiting Station Sacramento, CA.
He assumed the duties as the Current Operations Officer for 1st Marine Division during OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM from 2004-2005. He was selected as the Commanding Officer of 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, serving from April 2005 through December 2007. During this tour, the battalion deployed twice in support of OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM to Ar Ramadi, Iraq in 2005, 2006, and 2007. Following Battalion Command, he attended the Naval War College in Newport, RI and received a Masters in International Relations. He then served as an operations officer, Joint Operations Division Central Command (JODCENT), Operations Directorate, The Joint Staff, Washington, D.C from March 2009-March 2011.
Colonel Turner took command of 5th Marine Regiment in Aprill 2011, and is currently serving as the commander of Regimental Combat Team 5 in Helmand province, Afghanistan. His personal decorations include the Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Bronze Star Medal with the Combat Distinguishing Device, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal.