Enlisted Conductor, Staff Sergeant Christi L. Espinoza
Staff Sergeant Christi L. Espinoza enlisted into the Marine Corps on May 19, 1999. Upon completion of recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina, SSgt Espinoza went to Marine Combat training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and then to the Armed Forces School of Music in Norfolk, Virginia. After graduation SSgt Espinoza was assigned as a flute instrumentalist with the 1st Marine Division Band at Camp Pendleton, California. In February 2003, Staff Sergeant Espinoza deployed with the 1st Marine Division Band in support of Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom. On July 1, 2003 Staff Sergeant Espinoza left the Marine Corps.
In December of 2004 SSgt Espinoza came back into the Marine Corps and was temporarily assigned to the 12th Marine Corps District Recruiting Station while awaiting orders to her next band assignment. In March 2005 SSgt Espinoza was assigned to the Marine Corps Forces Reserve Band in New Orleans, Louisiana, during this time she served as Platoon Sergeant, Library Chief, Public Affairs Chief, Section Leader, Woodwind Group Commander and Assistant Enlisted Conductor. In January 2007 SSgt Espinoza attended the Unit Leader Course at the Armed Forces School of Music in Norfolk, VA.
On August 22, 2007 SSgt Espinoza was transferred back to the 1st Marine Division Band at Camp Pendleton, California where she served as Library Chief, Public Affairs Chief, Section Leader, Woodwind Group Commander and Assistant Enlisted Conductor. SSgt Espinoza was also the vocalist in the band performing numerous high profile commitments. In January 2009, SSgt Espinoza was selected for the position of Enlisted Conductor and within a month was assigned as the Enlisted Conductor of the 1st Marine Division Band.
In January 2010 SSgt Espinoza was assigned as the Enlisted Conductor for the Marine Corps Forces Pacific Band in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. In September 2010 SSgt Espinoza attended the Senior Musicians Course at the Navy School of Music. In May 2011, SSgt Espinoza was assigned as the Enlisted Conductor for the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Band in Twentynine Palms, CA. SSgt Espinoza’s decorations include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation, the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Navy Unit Commendation (second award), the Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (second award), the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.