Master Sergeant Joseph R. Whitt is the Section Chief or Resources for the United States Air Force Band of the Pacific, Yokota Air Base, Japan. Joe performs on double bass and electric bass, supporting U.S. Pacific Air Forces missions through multinational military and community engagement events.
Since joining the Air Force in 2009, MSgt Whitt has served with the USAF Band of the Golden West, AFCENT Band at Al Udeid Air Base, USAFE Band at Ramstein Air Base, and the Band of Flight at Wright-Patterson AFB. He has also served as Section Chief of Readiness, Director of Operations, Resource Advisor, Master Resilience Trainer, Wingman Intervention Trainer, Music Director, NCOIC and Additional Duty First Sergeant.
MSgt Whitt has performed with international military bands including the Japanese Air Self-Defense Force Band, the Ukraine Presidential Orchestra, and the Rwanda Defense Forces Band. He has been featured as a soloist with the Ukraine National Symphony and Moldova National Symphony. His civilian performance credits include concerts with the San Francisco Symphony, The Orlando Philharmonic, and the Monterey Jazz Festival.
He is also a film composer and scored the short film The Rounder Comes to Town.
Master Sergeant Whitt deployed in support of Operations IRAQI FREEDOM, ENDURING FREEDOM, INHERENT RESOLVE, ALLIES REFUGE, and ALLIES WELCOME, coordinating logistics for Air Forces Central Command Band tours throughout the Middle East and supporting U.S. embassies in the region.
EDUCATION
2003 Bachelor of Arts, Double Bass Performance, University of Central Florida
2005 Master of Arts, Double Bass Performance, Temple University
2009 Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2010 Combat Airman Skills Training, Guernsey, Wyo.
2013 Airman Leadership School, Kapaun Air Station, Germany
2014 Associate degree, Music, Community College of the Air Force
2018 Kisling NCO Academy, Kapaun Air Station, Germany
2020 Project Management Certification, PMI
2021 USAF Master Resilience Trainer, Air University
ASSIGNMENTS
1. September 2009 – December 2012, Bassist, USAF Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, Calif.
2. January 2013 – January 2021, Bassist, USAFE Band, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
3. January 2021 – July 2023, Readiness Section Chief, Band of Flight, Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio
4. August 2023 – Present, Resource Advisor, Band of the Pacific, Yokota AB, Japan
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Commendation Medal
Joint Service Achievement Medal
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Air and Space Outstanding Unit Award
Armed Forces Service Medal
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with gold border
Air Force Good Conduct Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air and Space Longevity Service Award
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon
Air and Space Training Ribbon
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2011 Senior Airman Below-the-Zone
2022 Public Affairs Communication Excellence Award
2022 Finley R. Hamilton Outstanding Military Musician Award
2023 Team of the Year, Operations
2024 PACAF Public Affairs Action Officer of the 1st Quarter
2024 NCO of the 3rd Quarter
2025 Team of the 4th Quarter, Resources
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class Aug. 28, 2009
Senior Airman April 23, 2011
Staff Sergeant Dec. 1, 2013
Technical Sergeant March 1, 2018
Master Sergeant Sep. 1, 2025
(Current as of January 2026)