TSgt Benjamin Johnson currently serves as Section Chief, Publicity for The US Air Force Band of the West.
Joining the Air Force in 2011, SSgt Johnson was assigned to The USAF Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, CA, and served as Percussionist and Operations Representative. In 2014, he was assigned to The USAF Band of the Pacific where he serves as Drummer and Assistant Director of Operations. While assigned to The Band of the Pacific, he was part of the first ever Air Force Band to perform in China. During his time in USAFE, TSgt Johnson led multiple administrative and musical teams, and connected with millions of people across Europe and Africa while performing as drummer and band leader for The Ambassadors Jazz Band. At present, TSgt Johnson’s leadership as Section Chief, Publicity has been instrumental in the production of the unit’s largest project of 2023, Holiday in Blue, earning the Band of the West a nationally recognized Emmy nomination.
Originally hailing from Laporte, IN, TSgt Benjamin Johnson earned a Bachelor of Arts from Ball State University. In addition to his academic pursuits, TSgt Johnson has studied with renowned artists Ulysses Owens Jr, Erwin Mueller, and Craig Hetrick. He and his wife, Dan, are avid travelers, eaters of good food, and are the proud parents of two beautiful dogs – Indy and Bean.
EDUCATION
2014 – Bachelor of General Studies, Ball State University
2017 – Honor Graduate, Airman Leadership School
2017 – Associates Degree, Music, Community College of the Air Force
ASSIGNMENTS
January 2012 – July 2014, Travis Air Force Base, Fairfield, CA
July 2014 – March 2019, Yokota Air Base, Tokyo, Japan
March 2019 – March 2023, Ramstein Air Base, Germany
March 2023 – Present, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, TX
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
EFFECTIVE DATES OF PROMOTION
Airman First Class January, 13 2012
Senior Airman March 15, 2014
Staff Sergeant January 1, 2017
Technical Sergeant November 1, 2021