Master Sergeant Matthew Zettlemoyer currently serves as a saxophonist with the United States Air Force Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, CA. He also serves as the unit’s Additional Duty First Sergeant. Originally from Augusta, GA, his military career began in 2011 when he joined the Army as a 42R - Regional Musician and continued during his transition to the Air Force in 2019.
Master Sergeant Zettlemoyer is a 2007 graduate of the University of North Florida, Jacksonville, FL, where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance. While attending college, he studied under jazz legend Bunky Green, participated in multiple world tours, and played with a host of internationally renowned musical guest artists. After graduating from college, Master Sergeant Zettlemoyer toured the continental US with the world-famous Glenn Miller Orchestra and was later employed by Royal Caribbean Cruise lines where we served as Music Director and Orchestra Musician for 4 years.
Master Sergeant Zettlemoyer enlisted in the Army in 2011, serving in Army Bands located at Camp Red Cloud (South Korea), Ft. Lewis-McChord (Tacoma, WA), and Fort Sam Houston (San Antonio, TX). After 7 years serving in the Army, he transitioned to the Air Force in 2019, arriving at Lackland AFB, Texas, to perform with the USAF Band of the West. After 4 years with the Band of the West, he was selected to serve as Military Training Instructor for Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB, Texas, arriving in January 2023. Master Sergeant Zettlemoyer’s current assignment is at Travis AFB, California where he will rejoin the band career field to perform with the USAF Band of the Golden West. Master Sergeant Zettlemoyer is currently serving as the unit’s Additional Duty First Sergeant where he advises his commander on readiness, health, morale, welfare, and quality of life for 60 airmen, ensuring a mission-ready force. His military awards include the Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force and Space Force Achievement Medal, Army Commendation (one oak leaf cluster), Army Achievement Medal (two oak leaf clusters), National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal and Humanitarian Service Medal.
EDUCATION
2007 – Bachelor of Music Performance, University of North Florida
2012 – Army Basic Music Course, Little Creek-Fort Story, VA
2014 – U.S. Army Noncommissioned Officer Academy I – Warrior Leader Course, Lewis-McChord, WA
2017 – U.S. Army Noncommissioned Officer Academy II – Army Music Leaders Course, Little Creek-Fort Story, VA
2019 – Airman Leadership School, JBSA – Lackland AFB, TX
2022 – U.S. Air Force Noncommissioned Officer Academy, JBSA – Lackland AFB, TX
2023 – Military Training Instructor Training Course, JBSA – Lackland AFB, TX
2024 – Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education I, Non-Residence
2026 – Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education II, Non-Residence
ASSIGNMENTS
- Oct 2011 – Dec 2011, Basic Combat Training, Fort Benning, GA
- Jan 2012 – Mar 2012, Army School of Music, Little Creek-Fort Story, VA
- Mar 2012 – Apr 2013, 2nd Infantry Division Band, Camp Red Cloud, South Korea
- Apr 2013 – Jul 2016, 56th Army Band, Fort Lewis-McChord, VA
- Jul 2016 – Jan 2019, 323rd Army Band, Fort Sam Houston, TX
- Apr 2019 – Jan 2023, 502nd ABW/MD Band of the West, JBSA – Lackland AFB, TX
- Jan 2023 – Apr 2026, 737th TRG Drum & Bugle Corps, 321st Training Squadron, JBSA – Lackland, TX
- Apr 2026 – present, 60th AMW/MD Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, TX
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Air and Space Commendation Medal
Army Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster
Army Achievement Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2012 Commandant's List, Army Basic Music Course
2014 Commandant's List, Army NCO Academy I – Warrior Leader Course
2022 Team of the Quarter, 502nd Air Base Wing Staff Agency
2024 Non-Commissioned Officer of the Quarter, 321st Training Squadron
2025 Trainer of the Quarter, 321st Training Squadron
2025 Annual MTI Association President's Award Winner, Basic Military Training
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Specialist (Army) – 5 Jan 2012
Sergeant (Army) – 1 Apr 2015
Staff Sergeant – 19 Apr 2019
Technical Sergeant – 1 Sep 2021
Master Sergeant – 1 Mar 2026
(Current as of May 2026)