Chief Master Sergeant Rick Baisden is the Senior Enlisted Leader for The United States Air Force Academy Band, Peterson AFB, Colorado. The unit maintains nine performance teams that execute more than 500 missions each year in support of the Department of Defense and the Air Force’s strategic communication initiatives, Presidential support, civic outreach, international partnership building, recruiting, and troop support across the continental United States and deployed locations around the world.
Prior to his assignment to The Air Force Academy Band, Chief Baisden served on the Air Staff at the Pentagon as Superintendent, Air Force Bands Division. His duties included operations policy and guidance for more than 600 Airman Musicians. He also served as the primary contact for inquiries, requests, and exception to policy waiver issues pertaining to Air Force Band performances as made by the White House, Congressional delegations, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Secretary of the Air Force, Air Staff, and field units.
Chief Baisden entered the Air Force as a guitarist in May 1997. He has performed in 12 countries for numerous dignitaries and Heads of State, and appeared on two compact disc recordings. In 2012 Chief Baisden led a deployment team in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He has held key musical and administrative leadership positions to include NCOIC of musical ensembles, Additional Duty First Sergeant, Resource Advisor, and Director of Operations.
EDUCATION:
1996 Bachelors in Music Performance, Berklee College of Music, Boston, MA
1997 USAF Basic Military Training, Lackland AFB, TX
2002 USAF Airman Leadership School, Hickam AFB, HI
2007 USAF Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Elmendorf AFB, AK
2008 Associate’s Degree in Applied Science, Music, Community College of the Air Force
2010 USAF Senior Noncommissioned Officer Distance Learning Course
2011 USAF Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Maxwell AFB-Gunter Annex, AL
2012 Combat Airman Skills Training, Camp Bullis, TX
2013 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education Course, Joint Forces Staff College
2013 USAF Additional Duty First Sergeant’s Seminar, Offutt AFB, NE
2013 USAF Enlisted Professional Manager‘s Certification, Community College of the Air Force
2018 Project Management Institute Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification
2021 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II, Joint Knowledge Online
2022 Certified Professional DynaMetric Programs (PDP) Professional
2022 Air Force Chief Master Sergeant Leadership Course
ASSIGNMENTS:
July 1997 – July 1999, Regional Band Apprentice, Guitar, USAF Band of the West, Lackland AFB, TX
July 1999 – January 2004, Regional Band Journeyman, Guitar, USAF Band of the Pacific-Hawaii, Hickam AFB, Hawaii
January 2004 – May 2006, Regional Band Journeyman, Guitar, USAF Band of the USAF West, Lackland AFB, TX
May 2006 – May 2010, Regional Band Craftsman, Guitar, USAF Band of the Pacific - Alaska, Elmendorf AFB, AK
May 2010 – August 2013, Regional Band Craftsman, Guitar, Heartland of America Band, Offutt AFB, NE
August 2013 – August 2017, Superintendent, Bands Division, Pentagon, Washington D.C.
August 2017 – May 2023, Superintendent Air Force Academy Band
May 2023 – Present, Senior Enlisted Leader Air Force Academy Band
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with three oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS:
2002 Distinguished Graduate, Airman Leadership School
2002 Academic Achievement Award Winner, Airman Leadership School
2008 USAF Band of the Pacific NCO of the Year
2009 USAF Band of the Pacific SNCO of the Year
2009 HQ 11th Air Force SNCO of the Year
2011 USAF Heartland of America Band SNCO of the Year
2015 Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs, Pentagon, Senior NCO of the Year
2015 Air Force Sergeants Association Chapter 300 Member of the Year
2019 The United States Air Force Academy Band, SNCO of the Year
2021 HQ USAFA Lance P. Sijan Leadership Award, SNCO Category
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS AND ASSOCIATIONS:
President, Chapter 1181 Air Force Sergeants Association Aug 2020 – Aug 2022
Member, Project Management Institute Pikes Peak Regional, Colorado Chapter
Treasurer, Colorado Springs Area Chiefs Group, 1 Jan 2023 – Present
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION:
Senior Airman Sep 28, 1999
Staff Sergeant Feb 1, 2002
Technical Sergeant Jul 1, 2005
Master Sergeant Jul 1, 2009
Senior Master Sergeant Nov 1, 2013
Chief Master Sergeant Jan 1, 2022
(CURRENT AS OF 1 SEP 2023)