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Master Sergeant Charles Cothran

MSgt Charles M. Cothran, pianist, United States Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia, Yokota Air Base, Japan.
 
Joining the Air Force in 2009, Master Sergeant Cothran was assigned to the Band of Liberty at Hanscom Air Force Base (AFB), MA and served as Jazz band operations representative. In 2013, he was assigned to the Band of Mid-America at Scott AFB, IL where he served as music director for the rock band: Starlifter. While assigned to the Band of Mid-America, he participated in a 3-month deployment which countered the adversary’s public communication strategy, built partnerships with allied nations, and boosted morale of deployed soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines.
 
Originally hailing from Pensacola, FL, Master Sergeant Cothran pursued his Bachelor of Music degree in Jazz Piano Performance from the University of West Florida in 2007 and his Master of Arts in Jazz piano performance from the University of New Orleans in 2009. Prior to joining the Air Force, he held such positions as Music Director for Pensacola Little Theater. In addition to his academic pursuits, Master Sergeant Cothran studied with renowned artists Vince Maggio, Fabio Bidini, Oxana Yablaskaya and Victor Atkins
 
EDUCATION
2007 Bachelor of Music Degree, University of West Florida, Pensacola
2009 Master of Arts Degree, University of New Orleans, New Orleans, Louisiana
2009 Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
2013 Airmen Leadership School, Scott AFB, Illinois
2014 Associate of Arts Degree, Community College of the Air Force
2016 Non-Commissioned Officer Distance Learning Course, Course 15
2019 In-residence Non-Commissioned Officer Academy (NCOA), Kadena Air Base (AB), Okinawa, Japan
2020 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education I, Distance Learning Course
 
ASSIGNMENTS
1. May 2009 - July 2009, Trainee, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. August 2009 - December 2012, Pianist, Hanscom AFB, Massachusetts
3. January 2013 - April 2019, Pianist, Scott AFB, Illinois (May 2014 – Aug 2014, Pianist, AFCENT Band, Al Udied AB, Qatar)
4. May 2019 – Present, Section Chief, Operations, Yokota AB, Japan
 
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Humanitarian Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award
Honor Graduate Basic Military Training
Expert Marksman with one oak leaf cluster
 
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
Amn of the Year 2011, USAF Band of Liberty
Amn of the Year 2012, USAF Band of Liberty
NCO of the Year 2019, USAF Band of the Pacific - Yokota
NCO of the Year 2020, USAF Band of the Pacific - Yokota
Col Finley R. Hamilton Outstanding Military Musician Award
Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award
PACE (Public Affairs Communication Excellence) Award
Distinguished Graduate, NCOA
Academic Excellence, NCOA
 
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIP AND ASSOCIATIONS
SAPR Volunteer Victim Advocate – Level 1 D-SAACP certified
 
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class May 26, 2009
Senior Airman September 26, 2011
Staff Sergeant Jul 1, 2013
Technical Sergeant November 1, 2019
Master Sergeant April 1, 2022
 
(Current as of April 2022)