Combat Center Band 

SSgt Heather L. Wurts enlisting in the United States Marine Corps on 14 October 1997. Private First Class Wurts successfully completed recruit training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, and then reported to the Armed Forces School of Music in Little Creek, Virginia where she was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal.

After joining the Marine Forces Pacific Band at Kaneohe Bay, HI in September 1998, LCpl Wurts served as a tuba instrumentalist. She was promoted to the rank of Corporal in January 1999. As a Cpl, she continued as an instrumentalist, learned the art of running a supply shop and became the NCOIC for the band’s supply section, a position that she held for over two years. Cpl Wurts was promoted to the rank of Sergeant in July 2001.

In November 2001 Sgt Wurts was assigned to the First Marine Division Band, Camp Pendleton, CA. She deployed with the band in February 2003, to Kuwait, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom where she served as a Hospital Liaison at an Army Combat Support Hospital in Camp Udari. Sgt Wurts returned to the United States in June of 2003.

In February 2004 Sgt Wurts again deployed to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. There she served as a Sergeant of the Guard for Camp Blue Diamond, Ar Ramadi, Iraq. Sgt Wurts again returned to the United States in September 2004.

In March 2005 Sgt Wurts joined Marine Band San Diego. There she served as a squad leader, tuba section leader, low brass group leader, Supply SNCOIC, and assistant Instrument Repair Technician. Sgt Wurts was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant in April 2007.

In August 2009 SSgt Wurts attended the Band Instrument Repair course at Minnesota State College – Southeast Technical, in Red Wing, MN. In May 2010, after graduating with a final GPA of 4.0, SSgt Wurts was assigned to the Marine Air Ground Combat Center Band as the band's Instrument Repair Technician.

During her career as a Marine Musician, SSgt Wurts has performed for numerous dignitaries and high-ranking officials. She has performed across the United States and been involved in combat operations.

SSgt Wurts' awards include the Presidential Unit Citation, the Navy Commendation Medal, the Navy Achievement Medal, the Joint Meritorious Unit Citation, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal with one bronze star, National Defense Medal, Iraqi Freedom Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary and Service Medals and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with one bronze star.