Master Sergeant Troy Griffin is a drummer with the United States Air Force Band of the West, where he is assigned to the Concert Band, Ceremonial Marching Band, and is the non-commissioned officer in charge of Top Flight. Sergeant Griffin has studied drums with Will Denton (Steven Curtis Chapman, Leann Rimes), Matt Johnson, Jerry Steinholtz (Lee Ritenour, Diana Ross), Andrew Eberhard (Randy Brecker), Rob Slack, Leroy Clouden, Sandy Gennaro, Pat Petrillo, Adriano Santos, & Peter Retzlaff. During his career he has performed with several notable artists including Elton John, Page Hamilton of Helmet, Michael Bolton, Bill Watrous, Arturo Sandoval, Phil Smith (New York Philharmonic), Chris Jaudes (Broadway), Jeff Lorber, & Tom Ranier. He also played on the 2011 Vans Warped Tour with his band, Saturday Sleeper.
EDUCATION:
1993: Hamilton High School Academy of Music, Los Angeles, CA
1993-1995: Fullerton College, Fullerton, CA
2004: Airman Leadership School, Travis AFB, CA
2005: The Drummers Collective 5 Day Intensive, NYC, NY
2014: Noncommissioned Officer Academy, Elmendorf AFB, AK
2016: Senior Enlisted Joint Professional Military Education
2020: Bachelor of Science in Interdisciplinary Studies, Liberty University, Lynchburg, VA
ASSIGNMENTS:
1. May 2000 - June 2000, student, Basic Military Training, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
2. June 2000 - July 2008, Percussion, Travis AFB, CA
3. July 2008 - Aug 2011, Percussion, Elmendorf AFB, AK
4. Aug 2011 - May 2015, Percussion, Hickam AFB, HI
4. June 2015 - Present, Percussion, JBSA-Lackland, Texas
MAJOR AWARDS AND DECORATIONS:
Air Force Commendation Medal with four oak leaf clusters
Air Force Achievement Medal with one oak leaf cluster
Air Force Organizational Excellence Award with three oak leaf clusters
Air Force Outstanding Unit Award with two oak leaf clusters
Air Force Good Conduct Medal with five oak leaf clusters
National Defense Medal
Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal
Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Humanitarian Service Medal
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal
Air Force Expeditionary Service Ribbon with Gold Border
Air Force Longevity Service with three oak leaf clusters
Colonel Finley R. Hamilton Outstanding Military Musician Award
EFFECTIVE DATE OF PROMOTION:
Master Sergeant - 01 September 2020
Last updated 04 Nov 2019