Officer in Charge
Chief Warrant Officer 4
Andres G. Navarro
Previous Assignments:
Marine Band San Diego - French Horn instrumentalist, Fire Team Leader, Squad Leader, Section Leader, Police Sergeant, Ensemble Leader, Staff Arranger, Vocalist, and Assistant Enlisted Conductor.
3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band - French Horn instrumentalist, Section Leader, Platoon Sergeant, Staff Arranger, Vocalist, Bassist, Percussionist, and Assistant Enlisted Conductor.
Recruit Training Regiment (MCRD San Diego) – Drill Instructor, Senior Drill Instructor, and 2d Battalion Operations Chief.
Band Officer – 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band, III Marine Expeditionary Force Band, 1st Marine Division Band, Marine Corps Forces Pacific Band.
Training and Education:
Naval School of Music, Drill Instructor School, Expeditionary Warfare School, Command and Staff College, Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance (Grambling State University), Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting (San Diego State University), and Doctoral studies in Music Education (Boston University).
Bandmaster
Master Gunnery Sergeant
Robert L. Trenum
Master Gunnery Sergeant Robert L. Trenum is originally from Westernport, MD. He graduated from Westmar High School in 1995 and enlisted in the Marine Corps on September 19, 1995. Upon completion of recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC, he attended the Basic Course of instruction at the Armed Forces School of Music in Norfolk, VA.
His first fleet assignment was as a percussionist with the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Band, Twentynine Palms, CA. There, he served as Administration Chief, Percussion Section Leader, Fire Team Leader, and Squad Leader. While at Twentynine Palms, LCpl Trenum was promoted to the rank of Corporal on December 1,1996 and Sergeant on June 1,1998.
In September of 1999, upon completion of his tour at Twentynine Palms, Sergeant Trenum was assigned to Drill Instructor School at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, CA. After graduating from Drill Instructor School, he was assigned to First Recruit Training Battalion, Alpha Company. There, he served as a Drill Instructor and as a Senior Drill Instructor. He was later reassigned to Headquarters Company, First Recruit Training Battalion as the Battalion S-4 Chief and S-4 Officer. On January 1, 2002, Sgt Trenum was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
In September of 2003, SSgt Trenum detached from the First Recruit Training Battalion and reported to the First Marine Division Band. SSgt Trenum’s assignments within the Division Band have included Percussion Section Leader, Rhythm Section Commander, Martial Arts Instructor, Training Chief, Supply Chief, and Assistant Instrument Repair Technician. In 2004, while deployed with the First Marine Division Band in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, SSgt Trenum served as Commander of the Guard, Sergeant of the Guard, Vehicle Commander, and Training SNCOIC. Following his deployment, he was assigned as the Acting Instrument Repair Technician and Supply SNCOIC for the Division Band.
In February 2007, SSgt Trenum was selected for a lateral move to Instrument Repair Technician and attended Minnesota State College Southeast at Red Wing, MN for training. He was promoted to Gunnery Sergeant on August 1, 2007. In May 2008, he graduated from Minnesota State College, Red Wing and in July 2008, GySgt Trenum reported to the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Band to serve as the unit’s Instrument Repair Technician. In July 2010, GySgt Trenum transferred to Cherry Point, North Carolina, where he served as the 2d Marine Aircraft Wing Band’s Instrument Repair Technician.
In 2013, GySgt Trenum transferred to the Marine Detachment, Naval School of Music in Norfolk, VA to serve as the Head Instrument Repair Technician for the field. He was promoted to the rank of Master Sergeant in February 2014. In October 2018 he was promoted to his current rank and in April 2019, assigned as the Senior Enlisted Advisor for the Marine Detachment, Little Creek. In January 2021, MGySgt Trenum reported to the Marine Corps Forces Pacific Band, Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii to serve as the Bandmaster.
His military decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal, the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (3rd Award), the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2nd Award), the Navy Unit Commendation (2nd Award), the Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation (2nd Award), the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (9th Award), the National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), the Iraqi Campaign Medal (2nd Award), the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, and the Marine Corps Drill Instructor Ribbon.
Drum Major
Gunnery Sergeant
Monica Preston
Gunnery Sergeant Monica Preston (nee Richards) enlisted into the Marine Corps in April 2005. She attended recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina and Marine Combat Training in Camp Geiger, North Carolina. Upon graduation, she attended the Basic Music Course at the Naval School of Music in Norfolk, Virginia.
Lance Corporal Richards reported to the Quantico Marine Band in March 2006 where she served as a clarinet instrumentalist and Training NCOIC. During her time there, she was promoted to the ranks of Corporal and Sergeant.
In April 2009, Sergeant Richards reported to the Marine Forces Pacific Band. While there, she served as Clarinet Section Leader, Woodwind Section Commander, Administration NCO, and earned the additional military occupational specialties 0933 and 0931 and augmented the Marine Corps Rifle Team in the summer of 2011. She was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant.
Staff Sergeant Preston was selected to attend the Unit Leader Course in Norfolk, Virginia in January 2013. Throughout the course, she studied instrumental conducting, arranging, and mace technique as part of the Drum Major curriculum. Upon graduation, Staff Sergeant Preston reported to the 3d Marine Aircraft Wing Band, where she served as the Assistant Enlisted Conductor, Assistant Drum Major, and the Administration SNCOIC.
In September 2016, Staff Sergeant Preston attended the Senior Musician Course in Norfolk, Virginia. Throughout the course, she studied advanced instrumental arranging techniques, instrumental conducting, and was officially selected for her current billet, Drum Major.
Upon graduation, Staff Sergeant Preston reported to the 2d Marine Aircraft Wing Band for service as the Drum Major. In addition to her ceremonial duties, she served as the SNCOIC of the Administration, Operations, Embarkation, and Transportation sections. She was promoted to the rank of Gunnery Sergeant.
In April 2019, Gunnery Sergeant Preston won the audition to serve as the Assistant Drum Major of “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band at Marine Barracks Washington. Her ceremonial duties included Full Honors Funerals at Arlington National Cemetery, Enhanced Cordons at the Pentagon, and the Friday Evening Parades. Additionally, she served as the unit’s Company Gunnery Sergeant and trained the incoming members of the Marine Band.
In September 2022, Gunnery Sergeant Preston returned to the Marine Forces Pacific Band, where she currently serves as the Drum Major.
Prior to enlisting in the Marine Corps, Gunnery Sergeant Preston graduated from Perry High School in Massillon, Ohio and The University of Akron, where she earned a Bachelor of Music Education, graduating Magna cum Laude. In December 2021, she completed an Advanced Professional Certificate online through the Berklee College of Music.
Small Ensemble Leader
Gunnery Sergeant
David M. Birkby
David M. Birkby was born in Stratford, NJ and graduated from East Syracuse-Minoa Central High School in East Syracuse, NY in 1996. He enlisted in 2001 and underwent Recruit Training in the 3rd Recruit Training Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC.
In December of 2002, upon completion of the Basic Music Course, Lance Corporal Birkby reported to the Marine Forces Pacific Band at Kaneohe Bay, HI for duty as a French horn Instrumentalist. During his tour he performed with the Concert Band, Ceremonial Band, Brass Quintet and Woodwind Quintet. He also served as the Assistant Instrument Repair Technician, Fireteam Leader, Corporal of the Guard, Arranger, Bus and Five-ton Truck Driver, and completed the Corporal’s Resident Course.
In January of 2006, Corporal Birkby reported to the Albany Marine Band in Albany, GA where he served as French horn section leader and the Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge (NCOIC) of the following groups: Brass Quintet, Woodwind Quintet, and Transportation & Maintenance sections. He was also a Featured Soloist, Arranger, Squad Leader, and completed the Sergeant’s Resident Course.
In May of 2009, Sergeant Birkby reported to the 1st Marine Division Band on Camp Pendleton, CA. During his time at the “Blue Diamond,” SSgt Birkby served as the French horn Section leader, Assistant Enlisted Conductor, Assistant Small Ensemble Leader, Arranger, and Staff NCOIC of the following: Brass Quintet, Band’s Public Affairs Office, and Music Library.
In November of 2011, Staff Sergeant Birkby volunteered to deploy and was requested by the 1st Marine Division (Forward)’s Administration Shop to serve as the Foreign Linguist Manager for Task Force Leatherneck in support of OPERATION ENDURING FREEDOM. Throughout his deployment, SSgt Birkby traveled through Helmond, Kandahar, and Nimroz Provinces ensuring that our troops were properly equipped with the necessary linguist personnel required for effective communication with the local Afghan population.
In January of 2013, Staff Sergeant Birkby reported to the Naval School of Music at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek – Fort Story, VA for the Unit Leader’s Course. Upon completion SSgt Birkby reported to the 3d Marine Aircraft Wing Band in Miramar, CA. There he served as the French horn section leader, Platoon Sergeant, Squadron Lead Sexual Assault Prevention and Response (SAPR) Victim Advocate, Assistant Small Ensemble Leader, Sound Reinforcement Technician, Ceremonial Conductor, Administration Chief, Chief Arranger, and attended the Resident Career Course and Sound Reinforcement Course.
In September of 2016 Staff Sergeant Birkby reported back to the Naval School of Music for the Senior Musician’s Course. Upon completion in May of 2017, he reported to the 2d Marine Division Band, where he served as the Acting Enlisted Conductor. In February of 2018, SSgt Birkby was selected to be the Small Ensemble Leader and he acted as the Unit’s Staff NCOIC. During this time he assisted in the coordination and band’s travel to Belleau, France in support of the 100th Anniversary of the storied battle in Belleau Wood during World War I.
In August of 2019 Gunnery Sergeant Birkby reported in to the Quantico Marine Corps Band to serve as their Small Ensemble Leader, Sound Reinforcement Technician, Recording Engineer, and Arranger; while also acted as the Enlisted Conductor and SNCOIC when necessary, while still performing on French horn and trumpet as needed. During his tour he prepared and coordination groups performances at the White House; Marine Corps Barracks, Washington; the Pentagon; and major sports venues to include New Yankee Stadium, FedEx Field, and Washington Nationals Park. During this tour, GySgt Birkby was instrumental in keeping the unit musically operational during times when most of the unit was activated as Quantico’s Security Augmentation Force for both Covid-19 and Quantico’s role in housing Afghan refugees for OPERATION ALLIES WELCOME.
In September of 2022 Gunnery Sergeant Birkby returned to the Marine Forces Pacific Band to serve as their Small Ensemble Leader, Arranger, Sound Reinforcement Technician, and will continue to perform on French horn as needed.
Gunnery Sergeant Birkby’s awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (Second Award), Good Conduct Medal (Sixth Award), Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Meritorious Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and the NATO Medal for International Security Augmentation Forces – Afghanistan.
Enlisted Conductor
Staff Sergeant
Uiliami O. Fihaki
Staff Sergeant Uiliami Fihaki, a native of the South Pacific Islands of Tonga, migrated to the United States in 1999 at the age of ten where he attended Ochoa Middle School and Mount Eden High School in Hayward, California. Staff Sergeant Fihaki then attended Sacramento State University where he studied Trombone Performance and Music Education.
In 2012, recruit Fihaki began his military career on the yellow footprints at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego. Upon completion of recruit training and Marine Combat Training, Private First Class Fihaki reported to the Naval School of Music in Virginia Beach, Virginia for the Basic Music Course.
In 2013, Lance Corporal Fihaki reported back to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego for his first duty assignment where he served as a trombone instrumentalist with Marine Band San Diego. There he served in several billets to include Platoon Guide, Assistant Enlisted Conductor and Brass Band Unit Leader.
In 2017, Sergeant Fihaki reported back to the Naval School of Music for the Unit Leader Course. Upon completion, Sergeant Fihaki reported to Camp Lejeune in North Carolina where he would serve with the 2D Marine Division Band. During this tour he as Platoon Sergeant, Assistant Enlisted Conductor, Staff Arranger, Brass Band Unit Leader and trombone instrumentalist.
In 2020, he was promoted to the rank Staff Sergeant and selected to the billet of Enlisted Conductor. He is currently serving as the Enlisted Conductor for the U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band aboard Marine Corps Base Hawaii.
Instrument Repair Technician
Staff Sergeant
Kyle T. Elliott
Staff Sergeant Kyle A. Elliott enlisted from Clovis, New Mexico in June of 2009 after graduating from Clovis High School. After completing recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot in San Diego, CA and Marine Combat Training in Camp Pendleton, CA, he reported to the Armed Forces School of Music in Virginia Beach, VA to complete the Basic Music Course.
Upon graduation, Lance Corporal Elliott reported to Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Band in Twentynine Palms, California as a clarinet instrumentalist. During his tenure there, he was promoted to the rank of Corporal and served an additional billet of Library Clerk.
In February 2012, Corporal Elliott reported to the 1st Marine Division Band in Camp Pendleton, CA where he served as Section Leader, Supply Clerk, Defense Travel Systems Clerk, and Assistant Instrument Repair Technician. He was promoted to the rank of Sergeant July 2013.
In July 2016, Sergeant Elliott completed the Basic Recruiter Course at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, and was assigned as a recruiter to Recruiting Station Albuquerque, Recruiting Substation (RSS) Lubbock. He was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in October 2017, and eventually took over as the Station Commander for RSS Lubbock.
Upon completion of recruiting duty, Staff Sergeant Elliott transferred to the Marine Forces Pacific Band in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii to serve as Clarinet Instrumentalist and held additional billets of Supply Staff Non Commissioned Officer in Charge and Assistant Instrument Repair Technician.
After being selected for assignment as a Band Instrument Repair Technician, Staff Sergeant Elliott reported to Minnesota State College Southeast in Red Wing, Minnesota in August 2021 for the Band Instrument Repair Course.
Upon graduation, Staff Sergeant Elliott reported to U.S. Marine Forces Pacific Band, Kaneohe Bay, HI to serve as the Instrument Repair Technician.
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