Master Sergeant (MSgt) Daniel Santos, a native of Bulacan Philippines, serves as a guitarist for the USAF Band of the Pacific at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii. MSgt Santos earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Classical Guitar Performance from California State University Northridge, CA in 2008. He also holds Community College of the Air Force Degrees in Electronic & Mechanical Systems, Communication/Telephone Systems, Professional Management and Music.
In October of 2000, MSgt Santos entered the Air Force as an Electrical Power Production Technician and was stationed at Beale AFB in CA. In 2004, he separated from active duty to pursue his Bachelor's degree and served simultaneously in the Air National Guard as a Telephone Technician.
During a 2008 deployment with the 562 ANG Band, he was recommended to serve Active Duty with the Heartland of America Band stationed at Offutt AFB, NE. He joined the USAF Heritage of America Band in 2015 after serving 4 years with the USAF Band of the Pacific in Japan, where he toured throughout Malaysia, Korea, Guam, and his home country of the Philippines. In 2023, he joined the USAF Band of the Pacific once again at its location in Hawaii, serving as both a guitarist and as the Director of Operations.
EDUCATION
2010 ALS Graduate
2016 NCOA Graduate
2016 Course 14 (SNCO correspondent)
2018 SEJPME I
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 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 Feb 2023)