Chief Master Sergeant Eugene W. King serves as Senior Enlisted Leader for the United States Air Force Band of the West, 502d Air Base Wing, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. He serves as the principal advisor to the commander and is responsible for functional oversight of personnel, resources, readiness, and operations in support of 250 missions annually, providing official respresentation, Airman/Guardian Morale & Readiness, and Public Trust & Support functions for 29 installations across 7 states and supporting ceremonial, protocol, and public affairs requirements of 267 mission partners at DoD's largest joint base.
Chief King enlisted in 2001 and has traveled throughout the United States, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, performing for countless military and civilian audiences including U.S. Presidents, Heads of State, and other U.S. and foreign dignitaries. Throughout his career, Chief King has held a variety of leadership positions to include Air Force Crisis Action Team Superintendent, Regional Band Superintendent, Additional Duty First Sergeant, Operations Section Chief, Resources Section Chief, as well as Noncommisioned Officer- in-charge of various music performance teams. He also deployed in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM and ENDURING FREEDOM. Prior to his current position, he was the Assistant Career Field Manager for Air Force Bands, Secretary of the Air Force, Office of Public Affairs, The Pentagon, Washington, D.C.
EDUCATION:
1998 Bachelor of Music, Magna Cum Laude, DePaul University, Chicago, Illinois
2000 Master of Music, Summa Cum Laude, Arkansas State University, Jonesboro, Arkansas
2005 Airman Leadership School, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio
2011 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base, Tennessee
2012 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Course 14
2013 Associate of Music, Community College of the Air Force
2014 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course
2015 Professional Manager's Certification, Community College of the Air Force
2016 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex, Alabama
2017 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course II
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. April 2001 – June 2001, Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, Texas
2. June 2001 – August 2005, USAF Band of Flight, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
3. August 2005 – August 2017, USAF Band of Mid-America, Scott AFB, Illinois
4. August 2017 – September 2019, US Air Forces in Europe Band, Ramstein AB, Germany
5. September 2019 – August 2024, Secretary of the Air Force, Office of Public Affairs, The Pentagon, Washington D.C.
6. August 2024 – present, USAF Band of the West, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Meritorious Service Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air and Space Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:
2005 John L. Levitow Award, Airman Leadership School, Wright-Patterson AFB
2011 Distinguished Graduate, Noncommissioned Officer Academy, McGhee Tyson ANGB
2014 SNCO Public Affairs Communicator of the Year, USAF Band of Mid-America
2023 SNCO of the Year, Secretary of the Air Force, Office of Public Affairs
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Airman First Class – 25 April 2001
Senior Airman – 25 August 2003
Staff Sergeant – 01 June 2005
Technical Sergeant – 01 July 2009
Master Sergeant – 01 July 2012
Senior Master Sergeant – 01 May 2019
Chief Master Sergeant – 01 January 2025
current as of 13 May 26