Master Sergeant Brandon (BJ) Richard is a percussionist and currently assigned as Band Support Manager for the Air Force Public Affairs Agency Head Quarters in San Antonio, TX. His current duties include copyright and licensing policy for the Air Force Bands career field and site manager for the Air Force Bands website. Sergeant Richard is originally from Coshocton, OH.
Before joining the Air Force, Sergeant Richard performed with the Hood River Sinfonietta, Columbus Men's Chorus, Golden Lancers Drum and Bugle Corp, and toured Europe with the Chamber Winds of Otterbein College. He attained teaching positions with multiple schools from Ohio, Kentucky, Oregon and Virginia.
Sergeant Richard's military highlights include performing for President Barack Obama's inauguration in Washington D.C. and international joint-service events in Germany and France. He has toured on multiple deployments to the Middle East as well as around the globe from Europe to Australia. He was the featured soloist for multiple tours with the concert band and percussion ensemble from the Heritage of America Band at Langley Air Force Base.
In addition to his Air Force duties, MSgt Richard enjoys spending time with his family, software coding and mechanical engineering.
EDUCATION:
2001 Bachelor of Music Education, Otterbein University
2010 ALS graduate
2012 CompTia A+ Certification
2019 NCOA Distinguished Graduate
Teachers: Jay Fant, James Moore, Jack Jenny, Jim Rupp
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. October 2005 - July 2009, Langley AFB, VA
2. July 2009 - July 2012, Joint Base Elmendorf-Richardson, AK
3. July 2012 - July 2016, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI
4. August 2016 - Sept 2021, JBSA-Lackland, TX
5. October 2021 - Present, AFPAA, JBSA-Randolph, TX
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with multiple qualifications
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION:
Technical Sergeant - 01 August 2018
Last updated 06 April 2023