First Sergeant James D. Cardo is the U.S. Army Materiel Command Band first sergeant. He is responsible for the supervision, training and mission readiness of a 40-Soldier band which supports more than 60 AMC activities and installations worldwide with over 400 performances each year. In addition, he formed and leads the AMC Four-Star Jazz Orchestra which produced the AMC Band's first album in 2011, "AMC Celebrating the Holidays." In 2012, he led the production of the "AMC 50th Anniversary" CD which showcased the musical talents and capabilities of the Army Materiel Command Band.
He was raised in New York City as a saxophonist and received his musical education from the School of the Performing Arts, Mannes College of Music, the Aaron Copland School of Music and the Armed Forces School of Music. He joined the military in 1986 and later completed his Associates of Arts and Bachelors of Science.
Cardo has served in the United States Army for over 26 years performing throughout the world including Japan, Alaska, Canada, Kosovo, Bosnia, France, Germany, Netherlands (North Sea Jazz Festival), Poland, Italy, Austria, Czech Republic, Belgium, Switzerland, Denmark, Poland, Lithuania and Russia.
He has held numerous musical, leadership, and staff positions at all levels within Army bands culminating as the Director of Support for the U.S. Army School of Music in 2008 and in 2010 he became the Band First Sergeant for the Army Materiel Command Band.
Cardo began his Army career with the Advanced Individual Training course at the United States Army School of Music, Little Creek Naval Amphibious Base, Norfolk, Virginia upon successful completion of Basic Combat Training at Fort Knox, Kentucky. His previous assignments include the 26th Army Band, Brooklyn, New York, 6th Infantry Division (Light) Band, Fort Wainwright, Alaska, the 296th Army Band, (USARJ), Camp Zama, Japan, three tours with the United States Army Europe (USAREUR) Band and Chorus, Heidelberg, Germany, the Army Ground Forces Band, (FORSCOM), Fort McPherson, Georgia and the US Army School of Music, Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Cardo's military education includes: the Primary Leadership Development Course, Basic and Advanced Army Non-Commissioned Officers Course and the United States Army First Sergeant Course. His decorations include five Meritorious Service Medals, three Army Commendation Medal, seven Army Achievement Medals, two Army Superior Unit Awards and the German Armed Forces Badge for weapons proficiency.
Cardo resides at Redstone Arsenal, AL with his wife, Elba. They have two children.
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