Maj. Cristina Palomino serves as the Deputy Commander of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Latin America & Caribbean District.
Headquartered in Puerto Rico, the district is the Corps’ first to integrate missions across Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and 33 nations throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. The district leads a multi‑billion‑dollar program spanning more than seven‑million square miles, delivering civil works and military construction projects, navigation initiatives, regulatory permits, emergency response efforts, and interagency and international services.
Maj. Palomino joined the district in July 2026 after attending the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Prior to that assignment, she served with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Los Angeles District as Deputy Program Manager for the Department of Veterans Affairs Program and Special Projects. In that position, she supported a portfolio valued at approximately $750 million, including major healthcare construction efforts in Long Beach, San Diego, and West Los Angeles.
She received her U.S. Army commission in 2014 through the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps at Texas A&M University. Her early assignments with the 1st Armored Division included service as a Headquarters Platoon Leader, Engineer Support Platoon Leader, and Company Executive Officer in the 40th Brigade Engineer Battalion, 2nd Armored Brigade Combat Team.
Maj. Palomino later served as the Battalion Logistics Officer for the 46th Engineer Battalion, 20th Engineer Brigade, XVIII Airborne Corps. She planned and resourced unit operations and deployments, including support to Tyndall Air Force Base following Hurricane Michael.
She then commanded the 687th Engineer Company, leading an Engineer Construction Company (ECC). During Hurricane Ida response operations, the company deployed by ground convoy to New Orleans and Grand Isle, Louisiana, where it conducted debris‑clearing operations along levees and roadways.
Following company command, Maj. Palomino served in project management and quality assurance positions with the Los Angeles District. As the project manager for a $443 million Department of Veterans Affairs healthcare project in Long Beach, California, she led delivery efforts across multiple construction phases supporting inpatient, outpatient, community living, parking, and demolition planning requirements.
During her Los Angeles District assignment, Maj. Palomino also deployed to Israel to provide quality assurance support for a $22 million Israeli Air Force Joint Strike Fighter infrastructure program. She later served as the district liaison to the Los Angeles County Emergency Operations Center during the 2025 Southern California wildfires.
Maj. Palomino’s military education includes the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, the Engineer Captains Career Course, and the Engineer Basic Officer Leader Course.
Her awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with one Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal with “R” Device and one Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Achievement Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, Army Superior Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, and Louisiana Emergency Service Ribbon.
Maj. Palomino holds a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in supply chain management from Kansas State University, a Master of Operational Studies from the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College, a Master of Geoscience in Geographic Information Systems from Texas A&M University, and a Bachelor of Science in Leadership Studies from Texas A&M University. She is a certified Project Management Professional and Construction Manager‑in‑Training Level 1.