Senior Master Sergeant Paula M. Goetz is a vocalist with the USAF Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, CA. Originally from Clarksville, TN, she began her Air Force career in 2003. Her military career, however, began in 1992 with her enlistment in the US Army as a Linguist-Interrogator with language training in Russian.
Sergeant Goetz is a 1992 graduate of Austin Peay State University where she earned a Bachelor of Vocal Music. She was introduced to the arena of military music following her acceptance into the US Army Europe Band and Chorus in Heidelberg, Germany, where she also served as Vocal Trainer and Auditions Coordinator. She also deployed to Southwest Asia in 2005, 2008, and 2016 in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom, entertaining troops throughout Iraq, Afghanistan and Kenya.
EDUCATION
1992 Austin Peay State University, Bachelor of Arts Degree in Vocal Music
1994 Russian Basic Course, Defense Language Institute, Presidio of Monterey CA
2004 Airman Leadership School
2010 Non-Commissioned Officer Academy
ASSIGNMENTS
1. December 1992 - February 1993 Fort Jackson, SC
2. February 1993 - March 1994 Presidio of Monterey, CA
3. April 1994 - June 1994 Fort Huachuca, AZ
4. June 1994 - June 1995 Dexheim, GE
5. June 1995 August 1998 Heidelberg, GE
6. February 2003 - August 2009 Travis AFB, CA
7. August 2009 - August 2012 Yokota AB, JP
8. October 2012 Travis AFB, CA
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Army Commendation Medal
Army Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War On Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
Air Force Small Arms Expert Ribbon with one bronze star
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Senior Airman (Specialist, US Army) December 1992
Staff Sergeant September 2003
Technical Sergeant July 2007
Master Sergeant July 2011
Senior Master Sergeant June 2017
(Current as of June 2017)