The Upper Room Marco Munoz Saxophone and Keys

Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, SSgt Muñoz graduated from Escuela Libre de Música Ernesto Ramos Antonini in Hato Rey, Puerto Rico in 1986. He continued his musical studies at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he completed his bachelor's degree in Commercial Arranging in 1990. After that he continued studies at Full Sail Center for the Recording Arts in Orlando as a recording engineer.

Prior to his enlistment, Sergeant Muñoz worked in his native Puerto Rico as one of the first call studio musicians with producers such as Martin Nieves, Franky Suarez and Pepe Ojeda. Sergeant Muñoz has also toured and performed with artists such as Glenn Monroig, Wilkins, Luis Enrique, Ricky Martin, Arjona, Emmanuel, Alejandra Guzmán, Thalia, Cristian Castro, Enrique Iglesias, and Myriam Hernandez, among others.

In 2000 he began his Air Force career as an aircraft mechanic. After almost 8 years working on F-16s, he cross-trained into his current active duty assignment with the Band, where he has been featured as a soloist with the Concert Band and the Jazz Ensemble. In January 2010, the Concert Band premiered "It's not just something to hit", an original piece composed by Sergeant Muñoz featuring latin-american percussion.

Education:
1990 Bachelor of Music, Commercial Arranging, Berklee College of Music, Boston MA
2005 Airmen Leadership School, Aviano AB, Italy
2006 BS in Professional Aeronautics, (with minor in Aircraft Safety) Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, Aviano, Italy
2006 Airframe & Powerplant license, Dallas School of Aeronautics, Addison, TX

Assignments:
1. October 2000-May 2001, 362nd Training Sq., MRT School, Sheppard AFB, TX
2. May 2001-July 2003, 34th Fighter Sq., F-16 Assistant Dedicated Crewchief, Hill AFB, UT
3. July 2003-July 2004, 8th Maintenance Sq., F-16 Dedicated Crewchief, Kunsan AB, Korea
4. August 2004-September 2006, 31st Maintenance Sq., Phase Inspection Section Team Member, Aviano AB, Italy
5. September 2006-September 2007, 31st Maintenance Sq., Weapons System Controller, Aviano AB, Italy
6. October 2007-present, Band of the U.S. Air Force Reserve, Robins AFB, GA

Awards and Decorations:
Air Force Achievement Medal with two oak leaf clusters
AF Outstanding Unit Award
AF Good Conduct Medal with two oak leaf clusters
National Defense Service Medal with one bronze star
Iraq Campaign Medal with one bronze star
Global War On Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Korean Defense Service Medal
AF Overseas Ribbon Short
AF Overseas Ribbon Long
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
AF Longevity Service with one oak leaf cluster
USAF NCO PME Graduate Ribbon
Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon

Effective Dates of Promotion:
Airman 1st Class, 29 August 2000
Senior Airman, 29 December 2002
Staff Sergeant, 1 February 2005