SgtMaj Joe A. Palacios reported to Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego, California, in May 2001 for recruit training.  After graduating as the Company Honor Man for Golf Company, he was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal. Upon completing recruit training, SgtMaj Palacios attended and completed Marine Combat Training at the School of Infantry West, Camp Pendleton, California. In December 2001, he reported to Fort Sill, Oklahoma, for his Artillery MOS School. In February 2002, he graduated from class 2-02 and earned the MOS of 0844, Fire Direction Controlman. Upon completing his MOS school, SgtMaj Palacios received orders to 3rdBn 11th Marines in Twentynine Palms, CA. He was meritoriously promoted to the rank of Corporal in September of 2002. 

In January 2003, SgtMaj Palacios deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom I, where he served as the Battery Assistant Operations Chief. After returning from Iraq, he attended and graduated from the Corporal's Course at Marine Corps Base (MCB) Camp Pendleton, CA. In December 2003, he graduated from the Marine Corps Martial Arts Instructor Course and earned the additional MOS of 8516. In January 2004, SgtMaj Palacios deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom II. During this deployment, he was promoted to Sergeant in May of 2004. 

In April 2005, SgtMaj Palacios reported to Drill Instructor School Class 3-05 aboard Marine Corps Recruit Depot (MCRD) San Diego, CA. After graduating as the Class Honor Man and earning the additional MOS of 8511, he was assigned to Kilo Company, 3rd Recruit Training Battalion. During this tour, SgtMaj Palacios completed ten cycles while serving as a Drill Instructor and Senior Drill Instructor. He also attended and graduated from the Marine Corps Martial Instructor-Trainer Course in Quantico, Va., earning the additional MOS of 0917. After completing his tour on Drill Instructor Duty, he was promoted to Staff Sergeant in November 2008. 
In January 2009, SgtMaj Palacios attended and graduated as the Class Honor Man from the Marine Artillery Operations Chief Course in Fort Sill, Oklahoma. In April 2009, he reported to 1stBn 12th Marines, Marine Corps Base (MCB) Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii to serve as a Battery Operations Chief. In June 2010, he deployed with Bravo Battery in support of the unit deployment program (UDP) to Okinawa, Japan. Upon return from UDP, he was assigned to Alpha Battery and deployed in April 2011 to Helmand Province, Afghanistan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom  (OEF)11.1.  

In May 2012, SgtMaj Palacios was selected for duty as the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor (AMOI) at the University of Oklahoma, Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps (NROTC) in Norman, Oklahoma. He served as the Senior Enlisted Advisor to the Commanding Officer, NROTC Oklahoma, and was responsible for the training, development, and mentorship of the future officers of the Navy and Marine Corps. While at the University of Oklahoma, he also supported the Bulldog program at Officer Candidates School (OCS), serving as a Sergeant Instructor during the summers of 2013 and 2014. In January of 2015, SgtMaj Palacios was selected as the AMOI of the year.

Upon successful completion of a tour on AMOI Duty in May of 2015, SgtMaj Palacios reported to 2ndBn 7th Marines, Twentynine Palms, CA to serve as the 81mm Mortar Platoon Sergeant. He was promoted to GySgt in July 2015. In March 2016, he deployed to Iraq as part of SPMAGTF Crisis Response, Central Command supporting Operation Inherent Resolve (OIR). After the deployment, SgtMaj Palacios graduated from the Weapons and Tactics Instructor (WTI) Course and the EWTGPAC Fire Support Coordination Course. In October 2017, he deployed again to Iraq in support of OIR and finished the deployment with Easy Company in Afghanistan, supporting Operation Freedom's Sentinel (OFS). In July 2018, SgtMaj Palacios reported to 11th Marine Regiment in Camp Pendleton, CA, to serve as the Regimental Assistant Operations Chief. 

In July 2019, he was promoted to 1stSgt and received orders to 1st Marine Raider Battalion, Marine Forces Special Operations Command. In August 2019, he graduated from the Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SERE) School. From January 2020 to August 2020, he deployed as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for Special Operations Task Force 511.2 in support of Operation Pacific Eagle-Philippines.  After he returned from deployment, SgtMaj Palacios graduated from the Joint Special Operations Forces Senior Enlisted Academy (JSOFSEA) in December 2020, and the Navy Senior Enlisted Academy (NAVSEA) in February 2021. In March 2021, he was selected to represent the Marine Corps and attend Class #72, United States Army Sergeants Major Academy (USASMA), from July 2021 to June 2022.

From July 2022 to May 2023, SgtMaj Palacios served as the Command Senior Enlisted Leader for 2d Battalion 7th Marines. In May 2023, he reported to Communication Training Battalion, Marine Corps Communications-Electronics School (MCCES) to serve as the inaugural Sergeant Major for the Command.

SgtMaj Palacios' personal awards include the Meritorious Service Medal; the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal two gold stars in lieu of 3rd award; the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal two gold stars in lieu of 3rd award; and the Combat Action Ribbon. He is also a member of the Honorable Order of Saint Barbara. SgtMaj Palacios holds a Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice from Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi, a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Workforce Development from the Army Command and General Staff College, and a Masters in Public Administration from the University of Texas-El Paso. SgtMaj Palacios is married and has two children.