Master Sergeant Karl Bradley is originally from Branson, Missouri & joined the Academy Band in October 1997. Karl completed degrees from Arizona State & Northern Colorado with a stop at Truman State University where he was assistant football coach & graduate assistant for the music department.
Sergeant Bradley has performed in various groups on 4 low brass instruments throughout his career. He has worked in support capacities including: Intellectual Copyright & Mechanical Licenses, Operations, Finance, Human Resources, Training & Readiness and Procurement.
In Operations he secured sponsorships & marketing through consultant work across the US for 7 years. Following Operations, Sergeant Bradley worked 4 years as Resource Advisor in travel & instituted five “best practice” budgeting procedures.
Sergeant Bradley was a Drum Major beginning 1999 & served as group leader of Marching Band for 10 years. In 2004 he led the Air Force Academy Marching Band at the 115th Tournament of Roses Parade in Pasadena, CA with Grand Marshall & former Air Force Bandsman, John Williams. In 2007 he led a combined unit in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City with renowned Metropolitan Opera soprano Renee Fleming, The Band of the AF Reserve & 50 AF Academy cadets.
While deployed in 2011, he assumed Operations & Logistics duties for Air Force’s Central Command in Southwest Asia. In this capacity he oversaw 55 missions to 8 countries on 5 different aircraft. The band uplifted morale and built partnerships with over 25,000 people to include U.S. & Coalition Forces, Host Nation & U.S. State Department Representatives & Third Country Nationals. Additionally, he captured their international diplomatic relations impact publishing 18 articles.
For 3 years Sergeant Bradley was Director of National Tours overseeing the US touring mission to support Air Force & Air Force Academy objectives. In this role he trained members in innovative business practices that led to groundbreaking work alongside Air Force Academy Admissions Directorate. In 2014 he worked as Public Relations Director overseeing graphic design, motion media, social media & web-site design, journalism and metrics & analysis.
While stationed in Japan with the Air Force Band of the Pacific he served as group leader for Pacific Showcase while performing on trombone & euphonium in Pacific Showcase & Pacific Brass throughout 6 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. He also served as Director of Training & Readiness and Director of Supply. Back with the United States Air Force Academy Band, he serves as group leader & trombonist with Stellar Brass, performs with the Falconaires, Concert Band & Marching Band and is Director of Supply.
Karl is a proud husband & father of two!
Education
1995 Bachelor of Music, Arizona State University
1997 Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base
2001 Master of Education, University of Northern Colorado
2002 Non-commissioned Officer Academy, Peterson Air Force Base
2003 Community College of the Air Force associates degree
2004 Senior Non-commissioned Officer Academy (correspondence)
2011 Combat Airman Skills Training, Joint Base McGuire
2011 Air Force Training Course
2011 Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education
2016 Senior Non-commissioned Officer Academy (correspondence)
2016 Advanced Leadership Experience (in-residence)
Decorations
Meritorious Service Medal with 4 Oak Leaf clusters
Air Force Commendation Medal
Air Force Achievement Medal with 1 Oak Leaf cluster
AF Organizational Excellence Award with 4 Oak Leaf clusters
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with 7 Oak Leaf clusters
Global War on Terrorism Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Marksmanship Ribbon
Other Awards
2002 NCO of the 3rd Quarter
2002 Public Affairs Communicator of the Year
2003 NCO of the 2nd Quarter
2006 Headquarters SNCO of the 1st Quarter
2006 SNCO of the 4th Quarter
2008 Team Peterson SNCO of the Year
2009 “People’s Choice” Telly Award
2010 SNCO of the 2nd Quarter
2011 AF Central Command Performer of the Month (April)
2011 Air Force Academy SNCO of the Year
2011 Outstanding Public Affairs Communicator of the Year
2012 SNCO of the 2nd Quarter
2012 Air Force Academy SNCO of the Year
2012 Public Affairs Communicator of the Year
2012 Air Force Academy Team of the 2nd Quarter
2013 SNCO of the 2nd Quarter
2013 Air Force Academy SNCO of the 2nd Quarter
2014 SNCO of the 2nd Quarter
2014 Air Force Academy SNCO of the Year
2014 Outstanding Public Affairs SNCO of the Year
2017 Yokota Air Base Airlifter of the Week
2017 USAF Band of the Pacific SNCO of the 3rd Quarter
2018 SNCO of the 4th Quarter
Effective Dates of Promotion
Airman First Class - 17 October 1997
Technical Sergeant - 28 October 1997
Master Sergeant - 1 August 2003