Technical Sergeant Benjamin Kersey, a native of Colorado Springs, Colorado, is an Audio Engineer for the United States Air Force Heartland of America Band, stationed at Offutt Air Force Base, Nebraska. In addition to his musical responsibilities, he is the NCOIC of Supply and Facility Manager.
TSgt Kersey entered the Air Force in the fall of 2016 and graduated from Basic Military Training that December. In the summer of 2022, Sgt Kersey graduated from Roger’s Airman Leadership School in San Antonio, TX. He received the awards of Distinguished Graduate and Unsung Hero, an honor given by his peers and classmates. Ben most recently completed the Non-Commissioned Officer Foundations Course in 2024.
TSgt Kersey has deployed to the Middle East three times with USAF bands, providing musical support and troop morale in Bahrain, Djibouti, Iraq, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kuwait, the Kyrgyz Republic, Pakistan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Tajikistan, UAE, and Uzbekistan. While deployed, Ben and the Air Force band assisted the United States in a collaborative effort with host-nation dignitaries to reinforce long-standing relationships and build new bridges of communication that resulted in stronger international relations.
Prior to his Air Force career, TSgt Kersey earned a degree in Audio Engineering from the Conservatory of Recording Arts and Sciences in Phoenix, AZ. He worked professionally for 10 years at a private school leading the audio/visual department and teaching high school classes. He has held many worship-leading positions at various churches and military chapels during the past 16 years. Ben and his wife, Amy, have two boys. His favorite hobbies include exploring new donut shops and spending time with his family.
EDUCATION
2006 - Audio Engineering Degree, CRAS, Phoenix, AZ
2016 - Basic Military Training, San Antonio, TX
2018 - Field Craft Hostile, Fort Dix, NJ
2022 - Airman Leadership School, San Antonio, TX
2024 - NCO Foundations Course, Omaha, NE
ASSIGNMENTS
December 2016 - July 2022, USAF Band of the West, Joint Base San Antonio, TX
---April 2018 - July 2018, USAFCENT Band, Al Udeid AB, Qatar
---January 2022 - April 2022, USAFCENT Band, Al Udeid AB, Qatar
July 2022 - Present, USAF Heartland of America Band, Offutt AFB, NE
---April 2025- July 2025, USAFCENT Band, Al Udeid AB, Qatar
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air and Space Achievement Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Inherent Resolve Campaign Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal with one Service Star
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border and one Oak Leaf Cluster
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class August 18, 2017
Senior Airman October 18, 2019
Staff Sergeant December 1, 2021
Technical Sergeant May 1, 2026
(Current as of May 2026)