Senior Master Sergeant Bennett J. Weidemann is the Superintendent for the United States Air Force Band of the West, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. He serves as the principal advisor to the unit’s Commanding Officer and Senior Enlisted Leader and ensures that all music performing and administrative positions function effectively and efficiently to provide ready, trained, and equipped Airmen for stateside and global missions. In addition, he directs professional and leadership development and advises the enlisted force on career progression opportunities.
Sergeant Weidemann has served as Superintendent, Additional Duty First Sergeant, Assistant Director of Operations, Noncommissioned Officer-in-charge of Productions, Commander’s Executive Assistant, Tour Manager, and Percussionist. He has deployed four times in direct support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, FREEDOM SENTINAL, and RESOLUTE SUPPORT, and has performed for Secretary of the Air Force 21 and 22, and the 44th President of the United States, Barack Obama. Complementing his primary duties, Sergeant Weidemann served outside of his career field with the Hanscom Air Force Base Patriot Honor Guard in Bedford, Massachusetts, and 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron’s Force Protection Flight Chief in Bagram, Afghanistan.
A native of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, Senior Weidemann graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Ouachita Baptist University and earned his Project Management Certification from the Project Management Institute. He is the author and instructor of three Generative Artificial Intelligence courses aimed at enhancing mission effectiveness and efficiency for command teams, military members, and federal service employees throughout the Department of Defense. Prior to his current assignment, he served as the Superintendent, USAF Heritage of America Band, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. He is married to Erin Weidemann of Star City, Arkansas and they have three children together.
EDUCATION
2001 Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base (AFB), TX
2006 Airman Leadership School, Hanscom AFB, MA
2006 Associate Degree, Applied Science, Music, Community College of the Air Force
2012 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB, AL
2013 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, by distance learning
2016 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education I & II, by distance learning
2017 Additional Duty First Sergeant Seminar, Bagram Airfield, Afghanistan
2018 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB, AL
2019 Project Management Certification, Project Management Institute
2021 Bachelor of Arts in Interdisciplinary Studies, Ouachita Baptist University
ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 2001-September 2011, USAF Band of Liberty, Hanscom AFB, MA
2. September 2011-February 2021, USAF Heritage of America Band, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA
3. February 2021-present, USAF Band of the West, Joint Base San Antonio Lackland, TX
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
-Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
-Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
-Air Force Achievement Medal with six oak leaf clusters
-Joint Meritorious Unit Award
-Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two service stars
-Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
-NATO Medal (ISAF)
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2005 Airman of the Year, USAF Band of Liberty
2006 John L. Levitow Award, Airman Leadership School
2006 Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, USAF Band of Liberty
2006 Outstanding Band Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, AFMC Public Affairs 2007 Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, USAF Band of Liberty
2010 Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, USAF Band of Liberty
2010 Electronic System Center Honor Guard Enlisted Member of the Year
2012 Distinguished Graduate, Gunter Non-Commissioned Officer Academy
2012 Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, HQ ACC Public Affairs
2013 Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, HQ ACC Public Affairs
2016 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, HQ ACC Public Affairs
2021 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, USAF Band of the West
2023 AETC Outstanding Communication Senior Noncommissioned Officer of the Year 2023 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, 502 Wing Staff Agency
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS
Air Force Sergeants Association Ch. 1075
Air Force Association, permanent member
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airmen 1st Class August 29, 2001
Senior Airman December 29, 2003
Staff Sergeant March 1, 2006
Technical Sergeant May 1, 2011
Master Sergeant December 1, 2015
Senior Master Sergeant January 1, 2019
(CURRENT AS OF JULY 2024)