Senior Master Sergeant Ryan Leatherman serves as a Superintendent and saxophone player for the Band of Mid-America.
Joining the Air Force in 2009, Sergeant Leatherman was assigned to the USAF Band of the West, Joint Base San Antonio Lackland, TX and served as a saxophone player. In 2014 he was assigned to the USAF Band of the Pacific at Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, HI where he serves as a saxophone player, section chief of operations and non-commissioned officer in charge of our largest ensemble, Hana Hou. While assigned to the Band of the Pacific he has participated in multiple international tours to locations such as Japan, Australia and Singapore.
Originally from Des Moines, IA, Sergeant Leatherman pursued a bachelor’s degree from Drake University and a dual master’s degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Prior to joining the Air Force his career took him throughout the United States and Europe, where he performed with renowned artists in a variety of musical styles, including Dick Oatts, Bobby Shew, Sinfonia da Camera, and The Temptations. His teachers include Debra Richtmeyer, "Chip" McNeill, Ron Bridgewater, Glenn Wilson, and Bob Long.
EDUCATION
2002 Bachelor of Music, Saxophone Performance with Jazz Concentration, Drake University
2008 Master of Music, Saxophone, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2008 Master of Music, Jazz Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
2012 Airman Leadership School
2013 Associate’s in Applied Science, Music, Community College of the Air Force
ASSIGNMENTS
1. 2009 - 2014 USAF Band of the West, Joint Base San Antonio Lackland, TX
2. 2014 - 2019 USAF Band of the Pacific-Hawaii, Joint Base Pearl Harbor Hickam, HI
3. 2019- Present USAF Band of Mid-America, Scott AFB, IL
MAJOR AWARDS
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal
AF Outstanding Unit Award
AF Organizational Excellence Award
AF Good Conduct Medal with 1 oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
AF Longevity Service with 1 oak leaf cluster
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Rifle)
AF Training Ribbon
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class 26 May 2009
Senior Airman 26 March 2011
Staff Sergeant 1 April 2013
Technical Sergeant 1 April 2017
Master Sergeant 1 May 2020
Senior Master Sergeant 1 March 2023