Chief Master Sergeant Martha S. Garcia serves as Senior Enlisted Leader for the United States Air Force Band of the West, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas. As principal advisor to the commander, she drives mission strategies and personnel management, overseeing operations, publicity, resources, readiness, and administrative support. The Band of the West consists of nine ensembles performing more than 350 civic outreach, ceremonial, recruiting, and partnership-building missions annually in support of Department of the Air Force strategic communication initiatives.
Chief Garcia enlisted in 1996 where she performed on clarinet and bass clarinet for American and European audiences to include ceremonial support for U.S. Presidents, Heads of State and foreign dignitaries. In addition, she provided logistical support for troop morale tours to Europe and Southwest Asia with guest artists Kid Rock, Jamie O’Neal, Carlos Mencia and Jessie James. She has served as Music Director, Operations Representative, Executive to the Commander, Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of Supply, Assistant Resource Advisor, Additional Duty First Sergeant, Assistant Career Field Manager, and Chief Enlisted Manager.
Chief Garcia most recently served on the Air Staff as Career Field Manager for Air Force Bands where she oversaw manning, accessions, training, policy, and deployments for more than 800 Airmen.
EDUCATION:
1994 Bachelor of Music Education degree, Magna Cum Laude, Florida State University, Tallahassee, FL
1996 Master of Music degree, Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music, Cincinnati, OH
1996 Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX
2000 Airman Leadership School, Offutt AFB, NE
2000 Associate of Applied Science degree in music, Community College of the Air Force
2005 Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Kapaun AB, Germany
2007 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy Distance Learning Course
2008 Additional Duty First Sergeant's Symposium, Whiteman AFB, MO
2011 Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex, AL
2011 USAF Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Correspondence Course
2013 Professional Manager Certification, Community College of the Air Force
2017 Chief Leadership Course, Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex, AL
ASSIGNMENTS:
- April - May 1996 - Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX
- May 1996 - August 2001, USAF Heartland of America Band, Offutt AFB, NE
- August 2001 - September 2005, U.S. Air Forces in Europe Band, Sembach AB, Germany
- September 2005 - January 2010, Band of the USAF Reserve, Robins AFB, GA
- January 2010 - August 2012, USAF Band of the West, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, TX
- August 2012 - July 2016, Secretary of the Air Force, Office of Public Affairs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
- July 2016 – July 2020, USAF Band of the West, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, TX
- July 2020 - May 2024, Secretary of the Air Force, Office of Public Affairs, Headquarters U.S. Air Force, Washington, D.C.
- May 2024 – present, USAF Band of the West, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, TX
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Meritorious Service Medal with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:
1998 Senior Airman Below the Zone
2000 Distinguished Graduate, Airman Leadership School
2009 Band of the United States Air Force Reserve SNCO of the Year
2010 United States Air Force Band of the West, SNCO of the Year
2011 Distinguished Graduate, Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy
2013 Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs, Pentagon, Senior NCO of the Year
2014 Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs, Pentagon, Senior NCO of the Year
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION:
Chief Master Sergeant - 01 May 2016
(Current as of June 2024)