Major Dean L. Zarmbinski

Major Dean L. Zarmbinski is originally from Council Bluffs, Iowa. He is a 1982 graduate of the University of Northern Iowa with a Bachelor of Education in Music degree. In 1989, he earned a Master of Music in Instrumental Conducting degree from the University of Texas in San Antonio.

Before joining the Air Force, he taught instrumental music in La Junta, Colorado from 1982 to 1984. His Air Force career began in 1984 in the enlisted corps as a trumpet player with the Air Force Band of the West, Lackland Air Force Base (AFB), Texas. He served for a short time in the United States Air Forces in Europe Band, Einsiedlerhof, Germany. While stationed in Germany, he was selected to be an Air Force Band Officer and enrolled in Officer Training School where he earned his commission in February of 1991.

Following graduation, he was assigned as Deputy Commander of the Heartland of America Band, Offutt AFB, Nebraska. In 1993, Major Zarmbinski assumed command of the Air Force Band of the Golden West, March AFB, California. The band was moved to Travis AFB, California, renamed the USAF Band of the Golden West, and Major Zarmbinski was assigned as Commander and Conductor in October of 1995. His first command overseas, in October of 1998, was with the USAF Band of the Pacific-Asia at Yokota Air Base, Tokyo Japan. He returned to Lackland AFB, Texas as Commander of the USAF Band of the West in January of 2001.

Major Zarmbinski is a 1997 graduate of Squadron Officers School, Maxwell Air Force Base, Alabama. His military awards and decorations include the Meritorious Service Medal with two devices, the Air Force Commendation Medal with two devices and the Air Force Good Conduct Medal.