Master Sergeant Dwight T. Wiest is a saxophonist with the United States Air Force Band of the West, where he is assigned to the Concert Band, Ceremonial Marching Band, Dimensions in Blue jazz ensemble, and Horizon Saxophone Quartet, and serves as Band's additional duty First Sergeant.  A native of Portland, Oregon, he graduated from David Douglas High School in 1987 and went on to earn a Bachelor's degree in Music Education from Brigham Young University in 1995.  Sergeant Wiest has studied woodwinds with Mike Tracy, Jamey Aebersold, Kathy Karr, Dallas Tidwell, Dr. Ray Smith, Jeannine Goeckeritz, Valerie Ingoldsby, Clark Bondy, Karen Freiheit, and Stan George.  In 1999 he earned a Master's degree in Music Performance from the University of Louisville.

During his musical career, Sergeant Wiest has performed with the Louisville Orchestra, Indianapolis Symphony, Utah Musical Theatre, Derby Dinner Playhouse, and numerous jazz groups.  In 2011, he deployed with the USAF Band of Mid-America's "Starlifter" popular music ensemble in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation New Dawn.  He has led Air Force jazz ensembles and small groups, and held administrative positions in band squadron operations and resources sections.

EDUCATION
1992 Associate of Science Degree, Ricks College
1995 Bachelor of Music Education Degree, Brigham Young University
1999 Master of Music Degree in Performance, University of Louisville
2007 Airman Leadership School, Scott AFB, Illinois
2011 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
2013 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education
2014 Associate Degree in Fine and Applied Arts-Music, Community College of the Air Force
2016 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Gunter Annex, Maxwell AFB, Alabama

ASSIGNMENTS
1. January 2003 - March 2003, Student, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. March 2003 - May 2011, USAF Band of Mid-America, Scott AFB, Ilinois
3. May 2011 - July 2012, USAF Band of the Pacific, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, Alaska
4. July 2012 - June 2014, USAF Band of the Pacific, Yokota AB, Japan
5. July 2014 - present, USAF Band of the West, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Air Force Recognition Ribbon
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism  Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2007 Distinguished Graduate, Airman Leadership School
2011 John L. Levitow Award, Noncommissioned Officer Academy
2015 USAF Band of the West Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year

EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION

Master Sergeant - 1 July 2013

(current as of November 2016)