REDSTONE ARSENAL, Ala. -- Chief Warrant Officer 4 Jesse O. Pascua assumed command of the Army Materiel Command band during a formal ceremony here, April 5.
Gen. Dennis L. Via, AMC's commanding general hosted the time-honored Assumption of Command ceremony.
"Today's Assumption of Command marks a significant event for the AMC Band," said Via. "I am honored to welcome the new command team."
The AMC Band provides musical support for the leadership, Soldiers and civilians of AMC, stationed at more than 140 locations worldwide. The band also supports a myriad of community outreach events, recruiting initiatives and music education programs to connect AMC and the Army with the American public.
"Two years ago, the band introduced AMC to the Tennessee Valley," Via said. "[The AMC Band] was a new and valuable addition to an area rich in culture…And the new commander will lead the band into the future."
Pascua assumed command from the band's senior noncommissioned officer, 1st Sgt. James D. Cardo, who served as acting commander for the past two months.
"Without a doubt, this will be the best assignment," Cardo said, addressing Pascua. "You will see how supportive this community is. They have made this place the home of the AMC Band."
Via credited Cardo for leading the unit on missions to Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates in February, where the band conducted 11 performances over 6 days. The trip marked the first time an Army band performed in the UAE.
Pascua joined AMC from the 98th Army "Silver Wings" Band where he served as commander and bandmaster. Via noted his wealth of command experience spanning his 26-year career.
"I am honored and humbled to be your leader," said Pascua to the members of the AMC Band. "We will continue to provide leadership and this community with world-class support."
Pascua hails from Waipahu, Hawaii and received a Bachelor of Music in Performance from the University of Hawaii at Manoa.
He entered the U.S. Army in 1987 and graduated from the Basic Course at the School of Music in Norfolk, Va. He served as a trombonist with the 25th Infantry Division Band at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii; the 26th Army Band, Fort Hamilton, N.Y.; the 2nd Armored Division Band and the 4th Infantry Division Band in Fort Hood, Texas; and a second tour with the 25th Infantry Division Band before being accepted into the Army Warrant Officer/Bandmaster Program. Upon graduation he was assigned as the commander of the 4th Infantry Division Band in Fort Hood, Texas. He led the organization to its first deployment in 33 years to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Pascua was the commander and bandmaster of the 25th Infantry Division Band. In 2004 in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, he led the organization to its first deployment since Vietnam. In 2006, he again deployed with the band for 15 months to Tikrit, Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was the Executive Officer of the 56th Army Band, Fort Lewis, Wash., America's Corps Band from March 2008 to August 2010.
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