Chief Master Sergeant Chris Martin is the flight chief and a percussionist with the Ceremonial Brass, The United States Air Force Band, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Washington, D.C. He received a Bachelor of Music Education degree from Florida State University in 1994 and a Master of Music degree in percussion performance from George Mason University in 2013.
Originally from West Palm Beach, FL, his Air Force career began in 1996 with The Band of the Golden West, Travis Air Force Base, California where he performed as a member of the concert band, rock band, jazz band, marching band and brass quintet. He joined The USAF Band Ceremonial Brass in 1997. Prior to assuming the role of Ceremonial Brass flight chief, he was Superintendent of Supply. In this full-time administrative position, he oversaw a 32 member collateral team responsible for daily execution of the squadron annual budget while maintaining equipment inventory and capabilities for 6 individual performing flights.
Air Force career highlights include participation in five presidential inaugural parades, two Tournament of Roses and Macy's Thanksgiving Day parades, multiple appearances on NBC's Today Show as well as numerous concert performances across the United States, Europe and Japan. He was also fortunate enough to accompany the Joint Service Color Team for Super Bowls XLIV, XLV and XLIX. In 2016, Chief Martin volunteered to deploy with the US Air Forces Central Command Band, Raptor. The band performed throughout the Middle East, building community relationships while providing a wide variety of entertainment for U.S. service members and coalition partners.
Chief Martin's professional military education includes 2001 Non-Commissioned Officer Academy (McGuire AFB, NJ), 2002 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy distance learning course (Air University), 2011 US Coast Guard Chief Petty Officer Academy (Petaluma, CA) and 2016 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education. He also received his Community College of the Air Force Associate's Degree in 2012 and the CCAF Professional Manager Certification in 2015.