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On a Wing and a Mic; An Interview with Staff Sergeant Nicholas Daniels

  • Published
  • By A1C Kevin Cerovich
  • The United States Air Force Academy Band
PETERSON AFB, CO --  After sitting next to SSgt. Nick Daniels for some time, I noticed he had an Air Medal and wings on his uniform. Curious how a military bandsman could receive a medal for flying over 20 combat sorties, I procured an interview to discover for myself.

     "We do this (perform) because of this," says Daniels in regards to speaking with young people on recruiting missions. As a former Loadmaster on C5s and C130s, Daniels brings a different perspective to his job as an Air Force bandsman. He is currently the lead vocalist of the US Air Force Academy Band's group Wild Blue Country.

     Born in England in 1985 to a military family, Daniels said, "I didn't even plan on joining the military as of late in my senior year of high school. I knew I liked playing drums in bands but I wouldn't sing in front of anyone, including my parents or girlfriend!"

     Daniels's father, Master Sgt. Ret. Michael Daniels retired from Security Forces told him, "If I could do it again, I'd be a loadmaster." With this advice, he joined the Air Force to be a Loadmaster and went to basic training in 2003.

     "I'll do 4 or 6 years and punch out" said Daniels of his initial plans. After extensive training in everything from air frame knowledge to water survival he was assigned to Dover AFB, DE in August 2004 with the 9th Airlift Squadron. Here, as a Loadmaster on C5s, Daniels flew dozens of missions into combat zones in the Middle East for six years. This is what garnered him the prestigious Air Medal.

     Daniels's stalwart character was tested on one mission as his plane experienced a rapid depressurization at altitude. After calling on the Captain to release oxygen masks, the Senior Airman (at the time) grabbed a portable oxygen tank and walked to each of the crew to ensure their safety and equipment before the plane could make its emergency landing in Kuwait.

     Following this, Daniels was transferred to 41st Airlift Squadron at Little Rock AFB, AR. to work with C130s in 2010. After a year and a half of service here, he was medically disqualified for vision problems and forced to either retrain or separate."I looked through the NCO retraining advisory and the words "regional band" caught my eye." Drawing on his love of music, he was granted the chance to audition by his commander.

     "Preparing for the audition consisted of me singing in the garage for my wife. She's not afraid to be honest with me and I knew if she approved, I stood a chance!"

     "I got over stage fright during the first song of the audition" says Daniels of what turned out to be the beginning of his Air Force music career. He won the audition and reported to Peterson AFB, CO in April 2012 to begin his work as a Bandsman who now spreads the Air Force Academy's mission and boosts morale around the country full time.

     The vast majority of bandsmen in the Air Force have studied music in school and spent years preparing to take an audition; Daniels is an exception to this. His raw talent, professionalism and sense of service have brought him to where he is today: a favorite with audiences and a valuable member of the team in the US Air Force Academy Band. "I have the best job in the Air Force." said Daniels.