From Bluegrass to Blue Water Lessons in Farm Philosophy and Navy Leadership

The philosophy found in this work is the product of a childhood on a tobacco and cattle farm in central Kentucky, education at various schools, and a three-decade career in the U.S. Navy while simultaneously contributing as a husband, father, and grandfather. The remainder of this book will be separated into phases reflective of the major changes in my life: the farm, schooling, and a navy career continuum from junior officer through flag officer. The lessons learned in earlier phases were often exported and applied later. The ever-increasing levels of responsibility served to teach new lessons.

Rear Admiral (retired) John Palmer is a native of Lexington, Kentucky. He is married to the former Elizabeth Brooks Mahaffey (Brooks) of Spartanburg, South Carolina. They are the proud parents of two children—Elizabeth Palmer Sanders and John Taylor Palmer Jr. They are blessed with four grandchildren. The Palmers live among family in Spartanburg where Brooks works as a registered nurse.