MSgt Matthew E. Kirkpatrick is a trumpet player in the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) Band, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Sergeant Kirkpatrick is currently Section Chief of Readiness and performs with the Concert Band, Ceremonial Band, and the Ambassadors Jazz Ensemble. His responsibilities include oversight of the deployment, wellness, training, safety, and security sections.
MSgt Kirkpatrick entered the Air Force in October of 2008, completing basic military training in November and reporting for duty at Robins AFB. Sergeant Kirkpatrick has performed in over 30 countries during his time in the Air Force. Prior to his current assignment MSgt Kirkpatrick was a trumpet player with the USAF Band of the Pacific, Yokota AB, Japan.
In a former life, MSgt Kirkpatrick was a member of the Wichita Symphony and Boise Philharmonic. He is a native of Smyrna, Tennessee.
EDUCATION
2004 Bachelor of Music, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, Tennessee
2006 Master of Music, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas
2008 Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas
2014 Airman Leadership School, Ramstein AB, Germany
2020 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Kadena AB, Japan
2021 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course, National Defense University
ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 2008 - November 2008, Trainee, 323d Training Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. November 2008 - January 2011, Regional Band Trumpet, USAF Band of the Reserve, Robins AFB, Georgia
3. January 2011 - October 2016, Regional Band Trumpet, USAFE Band, Ramstein AB, Germany
4. October 2016 - July 2019, Regional Band Trumpet, USAF Band of Mid-America, Scott AFB, Illinois
5. July 2019 – November 2023, Section Chief Publicity, USAF Band of the Pacific, Yokota AB, Japan
6. November 2023 – Current, Section Chief Readiness, USAFE Band, Ramstein AB, Germany
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal (with two oak leaf clusters)
Army Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
AF Organizational Excellence Award (with one oak leaf cluster)
AF Good Conduct Medal (with four oak leaf clusters)
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
AF Overseas Ribbon Long (with one oak leaf cluster)
AF Longevity Service (with two oak leaf clusters)
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon (with one oak leaf cluster)
Basic Military Training Honor Graduate
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Rifle)
AF Training Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class Oct. 7, 2008
Senior Airman Feb. 7, 2011
Staff Sergeant Oct. 1, 2014
Technical Sergeant Nov. 1, 2019
Master Sergeant April 1, 2023
(Current as of February 2024)
MSgt Matthew E. Kirkpatrick is a trumpet player in the United States Air Forces in Europe (USAFE) Band, Ramstein Air Base, Germany. Sergeant Kirkpatrick is currently Section Chief of Readiness and performs with the Concert Band, Ceremonial Band, and the Ambassadors Jazz Ensemble. His responsibilities include oversight of the deployment, wellness, training, safety, and security sections.
MSgt Kirkpatrick entered the Air Force in October of 2008, completing basic military training in November and reporting for duty at Robins AFB. Sergeant Kirkpatrick has performed in over 30 countries during his time in the Air Force. Prior to his current assignment MSgt Kirkpatrick was a trumpet player with the USAF Band of the Pacific, Yokota AB, Japan.
In a former life, MSgt Kirkpatrick was a member of the Wichita Symphony and Boise Philharmonic. He is a native of Smyrna, Tennessee.
EDUCATION
2004 Bachelor of Music, Tennessee Technological University, Cookeville, Tennessee
2006 Master of Music, Wichita State University, Wichita, Kansas
2008 Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, San Antonio, Texas
2014 Airman Leadership School, Ramstein AB, Germany
2020 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Kadena AB, Japan
2021 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course, National Defense University
ASSIGNMENTS
1. October 2008 - November 2008, Trainee, 323d Training Squadron, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. November 2008 - January 2011, Regional Band Trumpet, USAF Band of the Reserve, Robins AFB, Georgia
3. January 2011 - October 2016, Regional Band Trumpet, USAFE Band, Ramstein AB, Germany
4. October 2016 - July 2019, Regional Band Trumpet, USAF Band of Mid-America, Scott AFB, Illinois
5. July 2019 – November 2023, Section Chief Publicity, USAF Band of the Pacific, Yokota AB, Japan
6. November 2023 – Current, Section Chief Readiness, USAFE Band, Ramstein AB, Germany
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal (with two oak leaf clusters)
Army Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
AF Organizational Excellence Award (with one oak leaf cluster)
AF Good Conduct Medal (with four oak leaf clusters)
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
AF Overseas Ribbon Long (with one oak leaf cluster)
AF Longevity Service (with two oak leaf clusters)
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon (with one oak leaf cluster)
Basic Military Training Honor Graduate
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Rifle)
AF Training Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class Oct. 7, 2008
Senior Airman Feb. 7, 2011
Staff Sergeant Oct. 1, 2014
Technical Sergeant Nov. 1, 2019
Master Sergeant April 1, 2023
(Current as of February 2024)