Master Sergeant Kelcey McDonald is the Section Chief of Readiness at Joint Base San Antonio Lackland, TX. His primary duties also include serving as a sound engineer for both the Concert Band, and the Dimensions in Blue Jazz Band.
Sergeant McDonald entered the Air Force in February 2004 following a career as an adjunct instructor and television master control operator. Upon completion of Basic Military Training, he was assigned to the United States Air Force Heritage of America Band at Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Virginia. In 2015, he was assigned to the USAF Band of the Pacific-Asia at Yokota Air Base, Japan. After a five-year assignment with the Band of Flight at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, from 2017 to 2022, he returned to Yokota for a second assignment in April 2022. Prior to his current role, he served as the Section Chief of Administrative Support, as well as the sound engineer and Non-Commissioned Officer in charge (NCOIC) of the musical group Pacific Trends in Yokota, Japan.
Sergeant McDonald has deployed five times in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, FREEDOM’S SENTINEL, INHERENT RESOLVE, ALLIES WELCOME, SPARTAN SHIELD, and RESOLUTE SUPPORT, promoting morale, diplomacy, and outreach to coalition partners and embassies throughout the U.S. Central Command area of responsibility.
EDUCATION:
1997 Bachelor of Science, Music Engineering Technology, Hampton University, Hampton, Va.
2009 Airman Leadership School, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.
2010 Associate degree, Music, Community College of the Air Force, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2014 Noncommissioned Officer Professional Enhancement Course, JB Langley-Eustis, Va.
2017 Noncommissioned Officer Academy (Non-Residence), Yokota Air Base, Japan
2020 Master Resilience Trainer Course (Non-Residence), Wright-Patterson AFB, Dayton, Ohio
2022 First Sergeant Symposium, Yokota AB, Japan
2025 Master of Public Administration, Liberty University, Lynchburg, Va.
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. May 2004 – May 2015, Audio Engineer, USAF Heritage of America Band, JB Langley-Eustis, Va. (February 2009-April 2009, Audio Engineer/Host Nation Liaison, USAF Central Band, Al Udeid AB, Qatar) (May 2013-August 2013, Audio Engineer/Equipment Custodian, USAF Central Band, Al Udeid AB, Qatar)
2. May 2015 – June 2017, Audio Engineer, USAF Band of the Pacific-Asia, Yokota AB, Japan (October 2016-February 2017, Audio Engineer/Equipment Custodian, USAF Central Band, Al Udeid AB, Qatar)
3. June 2017 – April 2022, NCOIC of Productions, USAF Band of Flight, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio (October 2021-January 2022, Audio Engineer/Equipment Custodian, USAF Central Band, Al Udeid AB, Qatar)
4. April 2022 – July 2026, Section Chief of Readiness, USAF Band of the Pacific-Asia, Yokota AB, Japan (January 2025-April 2025, Audio Engineer/NCOIC, USAF Central Band, Al Udeid AB, Qatar)
5. July 2026- Present, Section Chief of Readiness, Audio Engineer, USAF Band of the West, Join Base San Antonio, TX
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Air and Space Meritorious Service Medal
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon with one oak leaf cluster
Air and Space Commendation Medal with six oak leaf clusters
Army Commendation Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Meritorious Unit Award with oak leaf cluster
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with six oak leaf clusters
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Armed Forces Service Medal
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Air Force Overseas Ribbon - Long Tour
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold border and three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Longevity Service Ribbon with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon with service star
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon
Air Force Training Ribbon
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:
2004 Airman of the Year
2009 Distinguished Graduate, Airman Leadership School
2016 Colonel Finley R. Hamilton Outstanding Military Musician Award
2017 AFSA Bandsman of the Year
2020 AFLCMC NAACP Service Award
2021 Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award
2021 Rev Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Humanitarian Award
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Airman First Class May 22, 2004
Senior Airman June 24, 2006
Staff Sergeant Nov. 1, 2009
Technical Sergeant Aug. 1, 2019
Master Sergeant March 1, 2023
Current as of August 2026