Master Sergeant (MSgt) Daniel Santos, a native of Bulacan Philippines, serves as a guitarist and the Director of Operations for the USAF Band of the Pacific at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. MSgt Santos earned a Bachelor of Music degree in Classical Guitar Performance from California State University Northridge, CA in 2008. He also holds four Community College of the Air Force Degrees: Electronic & Mechanical Systems, Communication/Telephone Systems, Professional Management and Music.
In October of 2000, MSgt Santos entered the United States Air Force as an Electrical Power Production Technician and was stationed at Beale AFB in CA. In 2004, he separated from active duty and transferred to the 256 Communication Squadron, Air National Guard in Sepulveda, CA. and served as a Telephone Technician. While in the ANG, he pursued his bachelor’s degree in music.
In 2006, he joined the 562 ANG Band in Port Hueneme, CA. And in 2009, he went back to active duty as a full-time Airman Musician in the USAF.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. Feb 2001 - Jul 2004, 9th CES Beale AFB, CA
2. Jul 2004 - Jun 2006, 256th Communication Squadron ANG, CA
3. Jun 2006 - Jan 2009, 562 ANG Band of the Southwest, CA
4. Jan 2009 - Jun 2011, USAF Heartland of America Band, Offutt Air Force Base, NE
5. Jun 2011 - May 2015, USAF Band of the Pacific-Asia, Yokota AB, Japan
6. Jun 2015 - Jan 2023, USAF Heritage of America Band, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA
7. Feb 2023 - present, USAF Band of the Pacific-Hawaii, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Unit Award
AF Outstanding Unit Award
AF Organizational Excellence Award
AF Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Nuclear Deterrence Operations Service Medal
AF Overseas Ribbon Long
AF Longevity Service
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Rifle)
AF Training Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman 1st Class 01 Dec 2000
Senior Airman 01 Apr 2003
Staff Sergeant 06 Jun 2006
Technical Sergeant 01 Feb 2016
Master Sergeant 01 Sep 2022
(Current as of Sep 2024)