Sergeant Christopher M. Hammiel is a Regional Band Craftsman assigned to the United States Air Force Band of Mid-America, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. He performs his musical duties on Trumpet with the Shades of Blue jazz ensemble and Concert Band. In addition to his musical duties, he serves as the Section Chief of Readiness amongst other collateral duties assigned.
A native of Dayton, Ohio, Sergeant Hammiel received his Bachelor of Music degree from the University of Oklahoma in Norman, OK. Following completion of Basic Military Training in August 2001 he was assigned to the United States Air Force Heartland of America Band at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. In 2011 he was re-assigned to the United States Air Force Academy Band at Peterson Space Force Base, Colorado. In 2020 Sergeant Hammiel was again assigned to the Band of Mid-America at Scott Air Force Base, IL. During his career he has performed for Presidents of the United States Donald Trump, Barack Obama, multiple foreign heads of states and military leaders, the United States Vice President, multiple US Ambassadors, the US Secretary of Defense, and Chief of Staff of the US Air Force. Sergeant Hammiel has also performed with the nationally renowned artists Canadian Brass, Wycliffe Gordon, Marshall Gilkes, Randy Brecker, and Manny Laureano.
A highlight of Sergeant Hammiel’s career was when he deployed November 2014 to February 2015 to the Air Forces Central Band in support of Operation ENDURING FREEDOM, ENDURING SENTINEL, and INHERENT RESOLVE, promoting morale, diplomacy, and outreach to coalition partners and embassies throughout the United States Central Command area of responsibility.
EDUCATION
2000 – Bachelor of Music, Trumpet Performance, University of Oklahoma, Norman, OK
2007 – Master of Music, Trumpet Performance, University of Nebraska-Omaha, Omaha, NE
ASSIGNMENTS
- August 2001 – July 2011, USAF Heartland of America Band, Offutt Air Force Base, NE
- July 2011 – October 2020, USAF Academy Band, Peterson Space Force Base, CO
- October 2020 – Present, USAF Band of Mid-America, Scott AFB, IL
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Achievement Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster
Meritorious Unit Award
Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award with 3 oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War On Terrorism Service Medal
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold border
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class, July 3, 2003
Senior Airman November 3, 2003
Staff Sergeant November 1, 2006
Technical Sergeant October 1, 2013
Master Sergeant November 1, 2018
(Current as of June 2024)