Master Sergeant Carl Eitzen performs on trumpet in the United States Air Force Heartland of America Band, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. In addition to his musical duties, he serves as the Flight Chief of Resources, the unit's Resource Advisor, and the Non-commissioned Officer in Charge of Offutt Brass.
A native of San Diego, California, Sergeant Eitzen's earliest music training on the trumpet came from his father, John Eitzen. He received his formal music education from the University of Arizona and University of California at Los Angeles where he earned his Bachelor and Master of Music degrees. Carl has been a member of the Des Moines Symphony Orchestra since 2010 and is the former Principal Trumpet of the Las Colinas, Garland and Arlington Symphonies in the Dallas/Fort Worth Metro area. He has performed with other noted ensembles such as the Omaha Symphony Orchestra, Dallas Symphony Orchestra, Los Angeles Opera Orchestra, Pacific Symphony Orchestra, and Kansas City Symphony. Carl has served as Musical Director, Show Band Leader, and played Lead Trumpet aboard several ships for Carnival Cruise Lines. His mentors include Edward Reid, Jens Lindemann and Jim Wilt.
EDUCATION:
1999 Bachelor of Music in performance, University of Arizona, Tucson, Ariz.
2003 Master of Music in performance, University of California at Los Angeles, Calif.
2006 Airman Professional Enhancement Course, Offutt AFB, Neb.
2008 Airman Leadership School, Travis AFB, Calif.
2016 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Keesler AFB, Biloxi Miss.
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. October 2003 - July 2007, USAF Heartland of America Band, Offutt AFB, Neb.
2. July 2007 - May 2008, Carswell AFB, Texas ANG Band
3. May 2008 - October 2019, USAF Heartland of America Band, Offutt AFB, Neb.
4. November 2019 - Present, United States Air Forces in Europe Band, Ramstein AB, Germany
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with three oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:
2006 January-March Airman of the Quarter
2006 Distinguished Graduate, Airman Leadership School
2014 NCO of the Quarter
2014 NCO of the Year
2015 Hamilton Award
2016 April-June NCO of the Quarter
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Airman First Class 26 August 2003
Senior Airman 26 December 2005
Staff Sergeant 1 October 2010
Technical Sergeant 1 February 2016
Master Sergeant 1 April 2019
(Current as of Nov 2019)