Technical Sergeant Marco A. Muñoz is a saxophonist in the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, California. He currently performs in the Concert Band, Ceremonial Band, and The Commanders Jazz Ensemble. In addition to his musical duties, Sergeant Muñoz serves as the Assistant Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of Supply.
Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, TSgt Muñoz graduated from Escuela Libre de Música Ernesto Ramos Antonini in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico. He continued his musical studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he completed his bachelor's degree in Commercial Arranging. After that he continued studies at Full Sail Center for the Recording Arts in Orlando as a recording engineer.
Prior to his enlistment, Sergeant Muñoz worked in his native Puerto Rico as one of the first call studio musicians with producers such as Martin Nieves, Franky Suarez and Pepe Ojeda. Sergeant Muñoz has also toured and performed with various Latin-American artists to include Glenn Monroig, Wilkins, Luis Enrique, Ricky Martin, Arjona, Emmanuel, Alejandra Guzman, Thalia, Cristian Castro, Enrique Iglesias, and Myriam Hernandez, among many others.
In 2000 he began his Air Force career as an aircraft mechanic. After almost 8 years working on F-16s, he cross-trained into the Band career field serving with the 2 time Emmy nominated Band of the United States Air Force Reserve, where he was featured as a soloist with both the Concert Band and the Jazz Ensemble. In January 2010, the Concert Band premiered "It's Not Just Something to Hit", an original three part suite composed by Sergeant Muñoz featuring Latin-American percussion.
During his career in the AF band Sergeant Muñoz has performed with many different artists, such as Take 6, Kid Rock, Wynona Judd, Aaron Neville, Chris Daughtry, Jesse James, Lonestar, Little Big Town, The Miracles, Josh Turner, and several others.
PROFESSIONAL MILITARY EDUCATION
2005 Airmen Leadership School, Aviano AB, Italy
2016 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Tyndall AFB, FL
EDUCATION
1990 Bachelor of Music, Commercial Arranging, Berklee College of Music, Boston MA
2005 Airmen Leadership School, Aviano AB, Italy
2006 BS in Professional Aeronautics, (with minor in Aircraft Safety) Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Daytona Beach, FL
2006 Airframe & Power plant license, Dallas School of Aeronautics, Addison, TX
ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 2000-May 2001, 362nd Training Sq., MRT School, Sheppard AFB, TX
2. May 2001-July 2001, 62nd Fighter Squadron, MRT School, Luke AFB, AZ
3. July 2001-July 2003, 34th Fighter Sq., F-16 Assistant Dedicated Crewchief, Hill AFB, UT
4. July 2003-July 2004, 8th Maintenance Sq., F-16 Dedicated Crewchief, Kunsan AB, Korea
5. August 2004-September 2006, 31st Maintenance Sq., Phase Inspection Section Team Member, Aviano AB, Italy
6. September 2006-September 2007, 31st Maintenance Sq., Weapons System Controller, Aviano AB, Italy
7. October 2007- July 2012, Band of the U.S. Air Force Reserve, Robins AFB, GA
8. July 2012 - November 2015, USAF Band of the Pacific-Asia, Yokota AB, Japan
9. January 2016 - Present, USAF Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, CA
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
AF Outstanding Unit Award
AF Organizational Excellence Award
AF Good Conduct Medal with two oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star
Iraq Campaign Medal with one bronze star
Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
AF Overseas Ribbon Short
AF Overseas Ribbon Long
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
AF Longevity Service with one oak leaf cluster
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman 1st Class, 29 August 2000
Senior Airman, 29 December 2002
Staff Sergeant, 1 February 2005
Technical Sergeant, 1 August 2013
(Current as of 2021)