Master Sergeant Susan Govier currently serves as Superintendent for the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West, Travis Air Force Base, California.
A Colorado native, Master Sergeant Govier graduated from the University of Northern Colorado in 1999 with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Performance and graduated from Arizona State University in 2001 with a Master’s Degree in Music Performance. In the summer of 2001, she auditioned and was selected for assignment to the United States Air Force Heartland of America Band, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, where she served as clarinetist. Throughout her 23-year military career, she has performed in multiple ensembles and has had the honor of performing for numerous United States Presidents and foreign dignitaries. The most notable leadership positions she’s held were Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of two different music performance teams, Section Chief of Operations, Section of Resources, and Additional Duty First Sergeant.
In 2018, Master Sergeant Govier deployed in support of operations INHERENT RESOLVE, FREEDOM’S SENTINEL, and the Resolute Support mission as the Director of Operations for the Air Force Central Command Band. She was responsible for coordinating the movement of three teams to perform for troops at numerous forward operating bases throughout Iraq and Afghanistan as well as coordinating embassy and community relations performances in Bahrain, United Arab of Emirates, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, Kazakhstan, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, and Qatar. Master Sergeant Govier also managed logistics for the band’s first-ever trip to Pakistan, supporting Department of State priorities focusing on partnership-building missions.
EDUCATION
1999 Bachelor Degree, Music Performance, University of Northern Colorado
2001 Masters Degree, Music Performance, Arizona State University
2005 Airman Leadership School
2010 Noncommissioned Officer Academy
2014 Associate of Music, Community College of the Air Force
2017 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy
2018 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education I Course
2021 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II Course
ASSIGNMENTS
1. August 2001 – June 2011, USAF Heartland of America Band, Offutt Air Force Base, NE
2. June 2011 – January 2020, USAF Academy Band, Peterson AFB, CO (January 2018 – July 2018, Superintendent, AFCENT Band, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar)
3. January 2020 – April 2024, USAFE Band, Ramstein AB, Germany
4. May 2024 – Present, USAF Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, CA
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal with bronze star
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon
John L. Levitow Award
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class August 14, 2001
Senior Airman December 14, 2003
Staff Sergeant August 1, 2005
Technical Sergeant July 1, 2008
Master Sergeant June 1, 2012
(Current as of Sept 2024)