Senior Master Sergeant Benjamin G. Kadow performs trombone with the United States Air Forces in Europe Band at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. In addition to his musical duties, Sergeant Kadow serves as the band Superintendent.
Originally from Perham, Minnesota, Sergeant Kadow earned a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Concordia College, Moorhead, Minnesota and a Master of Music degree in trombone performance from Western Michigan University. Sergeant Kadow joined the United States Air Force in May 2002.
After completing basic military training at Lackland Air Force Base, Sergeant Kadow was assigned to the Heritage of America Band, Langley Air Force Base, Virginia. He performed with the Concert Band, Ceremonial Band, Blue Aces rock band and Rhythm in Blue jazz ensemble and can be heard on Valentine, Band Dances, and An American Patrol CD recordings. Sergeant Kadow was then assigned to the Heartland of America Band, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska, in May 2006. In 2005 and 2009 Sergeant Kadow deployed to Southwest Asia in support of Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. Beginning in 2011, he spent three years with the Band of the Pacific, Hawaii where he performed throughout the Pacific and served as the Unit Resource Advisor and Non-Commissioned Officer-In-Charge of the rock band. In 2014, Sergeant Kadow returned to Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska where he has served as the Resource Advisor, Non-Commissioned Officer-In-Charge of Offutt Brass, and Producer of the 31st annual holiday show series. In 2022, Sergeant Kadow reported to Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
His musical highlights include performances in Australia, Singapore, Iraq, Afghanistan, the Grand Teton Music Festival, Mount Rushmore National Memorial and collaborations with the Canadian Brass, Omaha Symphony and the Kansas City Symphony. Sergeant Kadow has performed for dignitaries to include President Obama, Vice Presidents Dick Cheney and Joe Biden, Secretaries of Defense, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General David Petraeus, and First Lady Michelle Obama.
EDUCATION:
1996 High School Diploma, Perham High School, Perham, MN
2000 Bachelor of Music Education, Concordia College, Moorhead, MN
2002 Master of Music, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI
2002 Air Force Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX
2005 Airman Leadership School, Langley AFB, VA
2014 Non-Commissioned Officer Academy, Hickam AFB, HI
2014 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education, Air University
2014 Associates of Applied Sciences in Music, Community College of the Air Force
2016 USAF Senior NCO Academy (Basic Phase III) Non-Residence
2018 Professional Manager Certification, Community College of the Air Force
2020 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II, Air University
2022 United States Navy Senior Enlisted Academy
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. 2002 - 2006, USAF Heritage of America Band, Langley AFB, VA
2. 2006 - 2011, USAF Heartland of America Band, Offutt AFB, NE
3. 2011 - 2014, USAF Band of the Pacific, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, HI
4. 2014 - 2022, USAF Heritage of America Band, OL-A, Offutt AFB, NE
5. 2022 - present, US Air Forces in Europe Band, Ramstein, Germany
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Air Force Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
AF Organizational Excellence Award with two oak leaf clusters
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global war on Terrorism Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:
2010 USAF Heartland of America Band NCO Public Affairs Excellence in Communications Award
2011 Headquarters Air Combat Command Public Affairs NCO of the 1st Quarter
2012 USAF Band of the Pacific-Hawaii NCO of the 1st and 2nd Quarter
2012 USAF Band of the Pacific NCO of the Year
2013 Headquarters Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs NCO of the 2nd Quarter
2013 USAF Band of the Pacific NCO of the Year
2014 Headquarters Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs NCO of the 1st Quarter
2016 USAF Heartland of America Band NCO of the 1st Quarter
2018 Headquarters Air Combat Command Public Affairs SNCO of the 4th Quarter
2018 Headquarters Air Combat Command Public Affairs SNCO of the Year
2019 USAF Heritage of America Band (OL-A) SNCO of the 4th Quarter
2020 Headquarters Air Combat Command Public Affairs SNCO of the 2nd Quarter
2021 Headquarters Air Combat Command Public Affairs SNCO of the 1st and 3rd Quarters
2022 Headquarters Air Combat Command Public Affairs SNCO of the 1st and 3rd Quarters
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Airman First Class 2 May 2002
Senior Airman (BTZ) 7 March 2004
Staff Sergeant 1 April 2006
Technical Sergeant 1 January 2012
Master Sergeant 1 March 2016
Senior Master Sergeant 1 April 2023