MSgt Jennifer Kost is an oboist and Section Chief, Administrative Support at the U.S. Air Force Band of Mid-America, Scott Air Force Base, Illinois. Her responsibilities include performing with the Concert Band and managing the operations of the unit.
MSgt Kost is a native of Lafayette, Louisiana. She graduated Magna cum Laude from the Louisiana State University in 1998 with a Bachelor of Music in Performance. MSgt Kost attended graduate school at the University of Southern California and the University of Colorado at Boulder. She entered the Air Force in October 2005 and was assigned to the United States Air Force Band of Flight, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio. In 2012, she was assigned to the Band of Mid-America, Scott AFB, Illinois, and in 2015, MSgt Kost moved to Joint Base San Antonio – Lackland, Texas, where she was assigned to the United States Band of the West. During her time in San Antonio, she also served as the executive assistant to the Air Force Recruiting Service Command Chief, the organization’s senior enlisted leader, for over a year before returning to her band career field in 2018. In 2024, MSgt Kost returned to Scott AFB, Illinois, to serve the United States Band of Mid-America again.
Prior to entering the Air Force, she served as principal oboist with the Boulder Chorale, Boulder Chamber Group, and Louisiana Sinfonietta, and the Natchez Opera Festival Orchestra. She is also a member of the Phi Kappa Phi and Pi Kappa Lambda honor societies and is currently endeavoring to obtain her Alexander Technique Certification.
EDUCATION
1998 Bachelor of Music, Oboe Performance, Magna cum laude, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, La.
2005 Master of Music, Oboe Performance, University of Colorado, Boulder, Colo.
2010 Airman Leadership School, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
2016 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Distance Learning Course
2016 Associate Degree in Fine and Applied Art-Music, Community College of the Air Force
2017 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, In-residence Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas
2017 Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education, Non-Residence
ASSIGNMENTS
- December 2005 – September 2012, Regional Band Journeyman, Oboe, United States Air Force Band of Flight, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
- October 2012 – June 2015, Regional Band Craftsman, Oboe, USAF Band of Mid-America, Scott AFB, IL.
- June 2015 – July 2017, Noncommissioned Officer in Charge, Music Performance Team, USAF Band of the West, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas
- July 2017 – August 2018, Executive Assistant to the Air Force Recruiting Service Command Chief, Randolph AFB, Texas
- August 2018 – June 2024, Section Chief, Resources and Section Chief, Operations, United States Air Force Band of the West, JB San Antonio-Lackland, Texas
- June 2024 – present, Section Chief, Administrative Support, USAF Band of Mid-America, Scott Air Force Base, IL.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Organizational Excellence Award with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with five oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class October 18, 2005
Senior Airman February 18, 2008
Staff Sergeant April 1, 2010
Technical Sergeant October 1, 2016
Master Sergeant October 1, 2021
(Current as of August 2024)