Master Sergeant Gerard Birkenmeier performs on guitar in the United States Air Force Heartland of America Band, Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. In addition to his musical duties, he serves as the Noncommissioned Officer in charge of Raptor and the Flight Chief of Administrative Support.
Sergeant Birkenmeier studied Jazz Performance at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville under Rick Haydon.
Prior to his assignment at Offutt Air Force Base, Sergeant Birkenmeier served in three other Air Force Bands: the USAF Band of Mid-America in Illinois, the USAFE band in Germany, and the USAF Band of Liberty in Massachusetts.
EDUCATION:
2001 Airman Leadership School, Vogelweh Air Base, Germany
2009 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Gunter Annex, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. March 1994 - March 1997, guitar, USAF Band of Mid-America, Scott AFB, Ill.
2. March 1997 - April 2006, guitar, USAFE Band, Sembach AFB, Germany
3. April 2006 - September 2013, guitar, USAF Band of Liberty, Hanscom AFB, Mass.
4. September 2013 - Present, guitar, USAF Heartland of America Band, Offutt AFB, Neb.
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Air Force Commendation Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with five oak leaf clusters
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with four oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Airman First Class January 1, 1994
Senior Airman May 1, 1996
Staff Sergeant September 1, 2001
Technical Sergeant December 1, 2007
Master Sergeant January 1, 2013
(Current as of March 2015)