SrA Jessica Betando is a Vocalist at USAF Band of the Golden West at Travis Air Force Base. Originally from Livermore, CA, her Air Force career began in 2023 when she reenlisted, having transferred directly from the United States Army bands.
SrA Betando is a 2012 graduate of California State University East Bay, Hayward, CA, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in Vocal Performance. Since 2012, SrA Betando has performed as a freelance vocalist throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. In 2018, SrA Betando joined the 191st Army Band and attended the Army School of Music. During her Army career, SrA Betando served as Senior Vocalist and Noncommissioned Officer in Charge of her Musical Performance Team, co-founded the 191st Army Band’s film production shop, earned singular recognition as Bandsman of the Year out of the 1,126 Noncommissioned Officers in the grades of E-5 through E-6 throughout all 64 bands in her component, and performed the National Anthem for many major sporting events, making appearances on NBC Sports and CSN Bay Area.
Shortly after joining the Air Force, SrA Betando deployed as a member of the AFCENT Band, during which she traveled throughout 7 countries in Central and Southwest Asia performing community outreach concerts, school assemblies, military functions, troop morale concerts, and diplomatic events hosted by the United States Embassies and their ambassadors.
EDUCATION
2012 – Bachelor of Arts, Music, California State University, East Bay, Hayward, CA
2019 – US Army School of Music, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, VA
2020 – Basic Leader Course, Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Camp Parks, CA
2021 – Awarded Master Resilience Trainer Certification, Camp Parks, CA
2022 – Awarded Master Fitness Trainer Certification, United States Army Physical Fitness School, Fort Dix, NJ
ASSIGNMENTS
August 2018 – November 2023, Vocalist, 191st Army Band, Camp Parks, CA, USA
November 2023 – Present, Vocalist, Band of the Golden West, Travis AFB, CA, USA
AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Army Commendation Medal – 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
Air and Space Achievement Medal
Army Achievement Medal – 2 Oak Leaf Clusters
AF Good Conduct Medal
Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Air and Space Expeditionary Service Ribbon
Army NCO Professional Development Ribbon
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon (Pistol)
Army Service Ribbon
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2021 – United States Army Bands Reserve Component, Junior NCO of the Year
2023 – Col Finley R. Hamilton Outstanding Military Musician Award
2024 – 9 AF (AFCENT) Special Staff, Q2 Volunteer of the Quarter
2024 – USAF Band of the Golden West, AMN of the Year
2025 – 60th Air Mobility Wing, Q3 Diamond Sharp Award
2026 – USAF Band of the Golden West, Q1 AMN of the Year
(Current as of April 2026)