An official website of the United States government
A .mil website belongs to an official U.S. Department of Defense organization in the United States.
A lock (lock ) or https:// means you’ve safely connected to the .mil website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.
HomeMultimediaNewsArticle Display

Band Manager moves across the river

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Matthew Murray
Washington, D.C. --  Chief Master Sgt. Craig LeDoux will soon become the career field manager for the United States Air Force Bands Program, serving at the Pentagon. He takes the reins from retiring Chief Master Sgt. Peter Aiello.

In his new position, LeDoux's overarching responsibility will be the organization, training and equipping of more than 600 Air Force Bandsmen globally. His duties will also include serving as the subject matter expert to Air Force Public Affairs, managing personnel numbers for the entire career field and working with Air Force Personnel Center on assignments and Basic Military Training allocations.

When asked about the upcoming transition, Chief LeDoux said, "I am excited about the challenge of serving as the Air Force Bands Career Field Manager. These are clearly challenging times for the entire U.S. military, and more specifically for Air Force Bands. However, I feel incredibly strong about the Air Force Bands career field, and will make the argument in favor of it as often as possible while at the Pentagon."

LeDoux began his Air Force career as a trombonist in the spring of 1990 at McChord Air Force Base in Washington. Just a year later, in the wake of the end of the Cold War and related U.S. military adjustments, he was transferred to Langley Air Force Base, where became the unit's supply clerk. In January 1995, LeDoux arrived in Washington, D.C., where he has served as assistant chief of Supply, and later resource manager. He served as Band Manager from 2011 to the present.

As band manager, LeDoux's responsibilities have been extensive, to say the least. He has served as the chief enlisted advisor to the commander, coordinator of all enlisted personnel issues including promotion evaluations and professional military education, primary advisor to the current career field manager, primary enlisted representative of USAF Bands to the Pentagon, and a host of countless other mission-critical tasks. LeDoux's successor is Chief Master Sgt. Dudley Hinote, formerly the bass trombonist for the Airmen of Note.

The assignment to Air Force Bands Career Field Manager is a three-year position. When asked what his plans will be following his tenure at the Pentagon, Chief LeDoux said, "I'm unsure what the future holds for me. At that point, I'll be at 27 years in the Air Force. I'm unable to answer so far, but all my options are open."