Major General Turner currently serves as the Commanding General, 1st Marine Division. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1984. While serving in the Reserves, he attended the University of Maryland. After commissioning, he attended The Basic School and the Infantry Officer’s Course. He then joined 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines in 1990, serving as a Rifle Platoon Commander, 81mm Mortar Platoon Commander, and Kilo Company Commander. During this tour, he participated in Operation Desert Shield/ Storm and Operation Sea Angel in Bangladesh.

Major General Turner’s other operational assignments include: Commanding Officer, Weapons Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines where he deployed with the 31st Marine Expeditionary Unit (SOC) from 1997-1998 to the
Western Pacific; Operations Officer, 5th Marine Regiment from 1998 to 2000; Current Operations Officer, 1st Marine Division during Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2004-2005; Commanding Officer, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines from 2005-2007 during which time the battalion deployed twice in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom to the city of Ramadi, Iraq; Deputy Division
Chief, J-35, JODCENT, The Joint Staff, Washington, D.C. from 2009-2011; and Commanding Officer, 5th Marine Regiment from 2011-2013 during which time the Regiment deployed to Afghanistan from 2011-2012, conducting combat operations in the Southern Helmand Province in the Marjah, Nawa, Garmsir, and Khan-Neshin Districts. In 2017 and 2018, he served as the Commanding General, Task Force South West in the Helmand Province of Afghanistan supporting Operation Resolute Support and Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.

His service outside the operating forces includes duty as a tactics instructor at The Basic School and the Infantry Officer’s Course. He commanded the Marine Corps Recruiting Station Sacramento. Major General Turner also served as the Military Secretary to the Commandant of the Marine Corps from 2013-2014. He was assigned as the Director, Capabilities Development Directorate, Combat Development and Integration where he served from 2015-2017. Additionally, he served as the Commanding General for Marine Air Ground Task Force Training Command and the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center from 2018-2020.

Major General Turner’s professional military education includes The Basic School, the Infantry Officer’s Course, Amphibious Warfare School, the Marine Corps Command and Staff College (Masters-Military Arts and Science), the Naval War College (Masters- National Security and Strategic Studies), and the United Kingdom’s Higher Command and Staff Course.

Major General Turner’s personal decorations include the Defense Distinguished Service Medal with “C,” the Legion of Merit (2), the Bronze Star with Combat Distinguishing Device (2), the Meritorious Service Medal (2), the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, and the Combat Action  Ribbon (2).

Major General Turner is married to Carole Turner and they have two sons Alec and Max.