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Master Sergeant Matthew Ayala-Roman

Master Sergeant (MSgt) Mateo Ayala Roman is a native of Toa Alta, Puerto Rico, and serves as clarinetist and First Sergeant for the United States Air Force (USAF) Heritage of America Band. MSgt Ayala Roman earned a Bachelor of Music Education from the University of Puerto Rico in 1999, and a Masters in Music Composition from New England Conservatory of Music in 2010.
 
MSgt Ayala’s musical career has provided the perfect opportunity to bring music, as performer and composer, across the nation and around the world. His works have been performs in Puerto Rico, the United States, Europe and Africa. He has been awarded composition prizes from New England Conservatory of Music, the Department of Defense, and The Puerto Rican Institute of Culture.
 
During his Air Force career MSgt Ayala Roman has perform at many important events. Some highlights are: in 2002, performed at the Rose Bowl Parade as part of the Air Force’s Task Force Band. In 2003, he performed at Space Center Houston at the Memorial Service in honor of the Space Shuttle Columbia crew members. Finally, in 2017, he had the privilege of performing at the inaugural parade for the 45th President of the United States.
 
EDUCATION
2007 Airman Leadership School
2016 Noncommissioned Officer Academy
2017 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy (Basic Phase III)
 
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Nov 2001 - Aug 2005, Lackland AFB, Texas 
2. Sep 2005 - Jun 2012, Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts 
3. Jul 2012 - Jun 2015, Ramstein AFB, Germany
4. Jul 2015 - present, Joint-Base Langley Eustis, 
 
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Commendation Medal, second oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal, one oak leaf cluster
AF Outstanding Unit Award
AF Organizational Excellence Award
AF Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
AF Overseas Ribbon Long
AF Longevity Service
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon
AF Training Ribbon
 
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2017 DoD Public Affairs Outstanding Small Instrumental Composition
2016 Colonel Finley R. Hamilton Outstanding Military Musician
2016 Distinguished Graduate, Noncommissioned Officer Academy
2014 USAF Air Forces in Europe Band, NCO of the 4th Quarter
2012 USAF Band of Liberty, Musician of the 2nd Quarter
2011 DoD Public Affairs Outstanding Small Instrumental Composition
2007 Leadership Award, Airman Leadership School
2006 USAF Band of Liberty, Airman of the Year
2006 USAF Band of Liberty, Airman of the 4th Quarter
 
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION

Airman 1st Class 25 Sep 2001
Senior Airman 25 Jan 2004
Staff Sergeant 01 Oct 2007
Technical Sergeant 01 Aug 2015
Master Sergeant 01 Feb 2019

(Current as of March 2022)