Senior Master Sergeant Bennett J. Weidemann is the Superintendent for the United States Air Force Band of the West. He serves as the senior enlisted advisor to the band’s Commanding Officer and Chief Enlisted Manager, and ensures that all administrative positions function efficiently to provide ready, trained, and equipped Airmen for the unit’s stateside and global missions. Additionally, he directs professional and leadership development and advises the unit’s enlisted force on career progression opportunities.
Throughout his career, Sergeant Weidemann has served as Percussionist, Superintendent, Additional Duty First Sergeant, Assistant Director of Operations, Noncommissioned Officer-in-charge of Productions, Commander’s Executive Assistant, and Tour Manager. 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. In addition to his band duties, Sergeant Weidemann served as a member of the Hanscom Air Force Base Patriot Honor Guard and 455th Expeditionary Civil Engineer Squadron’s Force Protection Flight Chief in Bagram, Afghanistan.
Sergeant Weidemann, a native of Arkadelphia, Arkansas, graduated magna cum laude with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Interdisciplinary Studies from Ouachita Baptist University in May of 2021. He studied with world renowned artists Mike Johnston, Steve Houghton, John "Muzz" Muzzy, Doug DeMorrow (DeMorrow Instruments), Dr. Francis McBeth (Composer and Conductor), and Eugene Corporon (North Texas Wind Ensemble).
Prior to this assignment, he served as the Superintendent, USAF Heritage of America Band, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia
EDUCATION
2001 Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base (AFB), TX
2006 Airman Leadership School, Hanscom AFB, MA
2006 Associates 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 one oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
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 AFCENT/A7 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer, Force Protection Escort of the Month (November 2016)
2016 Senior Non-Commissioned Officer of the Year, HQ ACC Public Affairs
EFECTIVE DATE 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