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Master Sergeant John Garcia

Master Sergeant John R Garcia II, a native of Lerona, WV, serves as euphoniumist and trombonist for the USAF Band of the West. MSgt Garcia earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music from Alderson-Broaddus College and a Master of Music from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music. During the course of his training, he studied with Ronald Barron (Boston Symphony Orchestra), Dr. Brian Bowman (CMSgt (ret), United States Air Force Band), Tony Chipburn (Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra), Dr. Timothy DeWitt (Alderson-Broaddus College), and Tim Northcut (Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music).

Before joining the Air Force, MSgt Garcia was named a finalist in the Kingsville Young Performers Competition and was featured in recital as one of the winners of the Yamaha Young Performing Artist Competition. He was also honored to be chosen to perform James Curnow's Symphonic Variants for Euphonium and Orchestra with the Wheeling Symphony Orchestra.

In 2010, MSgt Garcia deployed with the ensemble "Vector" to Southwest Asia, where he helped support the morale of US and Coalition troops and promoted diplomacy and outreach to host nation communities. While in Afghanistan, he performed alongside the Army's 82nd and 101st Airborne Division Bands at a ceremony dedicating a section of I-beam recovered from the Twin Towers. MSgt Garcia has also deployed to Japan to play with the newly reactivated "Pacific Showcase" jazz band, where he helped reaffirm relations with the Japanese community.

EDUCATION:
1998: Bachelor of Arts in Music from Alderson-Broaddus College
2000: Master of Music from the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music
2004: Airman Leadership School
2010: Non Commissioned Officer Academy
2014: Associate Degree in Fine and Applied Arts-Music, Community College of the Air Force

ASSIGNMENTS:
1. Oct 2000 - Nov 2007, Hanscom AFB, MA
2. Nov 2007 - Jan 2016, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, VA
3. Jan 2016 - Present, USAF Band of the West JBSA-Lackland, TX

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Air Force Commendation Medal, third oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal, first oak leaf cluster
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award, first oak leaf cluster
Air Force Good Conduct Medal, fourth oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal
Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
Air Force Longevity Service, third oak leaf cluster
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon, first oak leaf cluster
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon, first bronze service star
Air Force Training Ribbon

OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:
2010: Non Commissioned Officer of the Year, USAF Heritage of America Band
2010: Distinguished Graduate, Non-Commissioned Officer Academy
2004: John L. Levitow Award, Airman Leadership School
2004: Airman of the Year, USAF Band of Liberty
2003: Volunteer of the Year, USAF Band of Liberty

EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION:
Master Sergeant - 01 August 2016

Last updated 04 Nov 2019