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Technical Sergeant Daniel Thrower

Technical Sergeant Daniel Thrower is a trumpet player for the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific-Asia, Yokota Air Base, Japan. In addition to his musical duties, he serves as Noncommissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of Pacific Brass, Approving Official for Finances, NCOIC of Supply, and is responsible for the unit’s Computer Shop. He is also a prolific composer and has earned two Air Force-level awards for his original works.

Sergeant Thrower enlisted in the Air Force in April 2011. Prior to that, he earned a Bachelor and Master of Music from Brigham Young University and a Doctor of Musical Arts from Arizona State University. He held faculty appointments at Brigham Young University, BYU-Idaho, Utah Valley University, the College of Eastern Utah, and the University of Texas at San Antonio.

Career highlights include supporting the 2017 Presidential Inauguration, performing the National Anthem at major sporting events, and representing the Air Force at the International Trumpet Guild Conference in Hershey, Pa., with three featured presentations. Before his current assignment, he served as Music Director and later NCOIC of Offutt Brass at Offutt AFB, Nebraska.

EDUCATION

  • 2001 Bachelor of Music, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah

  • 2002 Master of Music, Brigham Young University, Provo, Utah

  • 2007 Doctor of Musical Arts, Arizona State University, Tempe, Ariz.

  • 2013 Associate of Applied Science: Music, Community College of the Air Force

  • 2015 Airman Leadership School, Offutt AFB, Neb.

ASSIGNMENTS

  1. Apr 2011 – Jun 2015, Trumpet, USAF Band of the West, Lackland AFB, Texas

  2. Jun 2015 – Jun 2023, Trumpet/NCOIC Offutt Brass, USAF Heartland of America Band, Offutt AFB, Neb.

  3. Jun 2023 – Present, Trumpet/NCOIC Pacific Brass, Band of the Pacific-Asia, Yokota AB, Japan

MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS

  • Air and Space Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster

  • Air and Space Achievement Medal

  • Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with one oak leaf cluster

  • Air Force Good Conduct Medal with three oak leaf clusters

  • Air and Space Recognition Ribbon with one oak leaf cluster

  • National Defense Service Medal

  • Global War on Terrorism Service Medal

  • Humanitarian Service Medal

  • Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal

  • Air and Space Longevity Service Award with two oak leaf clusters

  • Basic Military Training Honor Graduate Ribbon

EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION

  • Airman First Class – 26 Apr 2011

  • Senior Airman – 26 Feb 2013

  • Staff Sergeant – 1 Jan 2016

  • Technical Sergeant – 1 Sep 2024

(Current as of September 2024)