Captain David Neil C. Regner is the commander and conductor of the United States Air Force Band of the West, Joint Base San Antonio, Texas. Under his leadership, 60 airman-musicians perform more than 300 events each year throughout the Southeast to honor America’s service members and veterans, inspire young people to serve, and connect the public with their Air and Space Forces. He is responsible for organizing, training, and equipping the unit to communicate Department of the Air Force strategic messages with Americans at home and to strengthen international partnerships when deployed abroad.
Capt. Regner commissioned as a graduate of Officer Training School in August 2017. Since then, he has led Air Force bands in community, diplomatic, and ceremonial missions in 10 countries, 33 states, and Washington D.C, reaching a combined broadcast and live audience of over 50 million people.
A native of West Orange, New Jersey, Captain Regner served four years as a high school band director at Arlington High School in LaGrangeville, New York prior to joining the Air Force. He earned a Bachelor of Music degree in music education from Rutgers University, where he studied with Darryl Bott, and his Master of Music degree in conducting from Northwestern University, where he studied with Mallory Thompson.
EDUCATION
2010 Bachelor of Music, Music Education, Rutgers University, N.J.
2013 Master of Music, Wind Conducting, Northwestern University, Ill.
2017 Air Force Officer Training School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
2018 Public Affairs Qualification Course, Defense Information School, Fort Meade, Md. 2022 Squadron Officer School, Air University, Maxwell Air Force Base, Ala.
ASSIGNMENTS
1. September 2017 - June 2021, Flight Commander, USAF Heritage of America Band, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.
2. June 2021 - July 2022, Commander, USAF Heritage of America Band, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Va.
3. July 2022 - July 2025, Flight Commander, The United States Air Force Band, Joint Base Anacostia-Bolling, Va.(Officer in Charge, U.S. Air Forces Central Command Band, Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar)
4. July 2025 - Present, Commander, USAF Band of the West, Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, Texas
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal with one oak leaf cluster
National Defense Service Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
OTHER ACHIEVEMENTS
2018 Air Combat Command Public Affairs Company Grade Officer of the Year 2020 Air Combat Command Public Affairs Company Grade Officer of the Year 2024 11th Wing Company Grade Officer of the Year
Second Lieutenant August 31, 2017
First Lieutenant August 31, 2019
Captain August 31, 2021