Padilla previously served as commanding general of 3rd Marine Division.

Padilla was commissioned in the United States Marine Corps as a second lieutenant in 1983 after graduation from East Carolina University.

Between 1988 and 1990 he was the commanding officer of the Marine Detachment (MARDET) on board the USS Canopus (AS-34).

As a lieutenant colonel, Padilla was assigned as commanding officer, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines.

[1] Padilla later earned a Master of Arts degree in national security and strategic studies from Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island.