Master Sergeant David M. Birkby currently serves as the Production Manager of the US Marine Forces Pacific Band. In this capacity he is the chief sound engineer and the band’s marketing and communication lead.
Master Sergeant Birkby enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 2002 and completed Recruit Training at Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island, South Carolina and Marine Combat Training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He completed the Basic Music Course in 2002 at the Armed Forces School of Music in Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Master Sergeant Birkby served as a French horn instrumentalist in the following Fleet Marine Bands: Marine Forces Pacific Band (2003-2005); Albany Marine Band (2006-2009); 1st Marine Division Band (2009-2011); 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band (2013-2016); 2nd Marine Division Band (2017-2019). He served as a Small Ensemble Leader in the following Fleet Marine Bands: 2nd Marine Division Band (2018-2019); Quantico Marine Band (2019-2022). As do all Fleet Marine musicians, Master Sergeant Birkby served in a variety of music, collateral duty, and leadership roles, to include Platoon leadership.
Master Sergeant Birkby deployed in support of Operation Enduring Freedom - Afghanistan (2012).
Master Sergeant Birkby attended the Unit Leader Course (2013), Sound Reinforcement Course (2016), Senior Musician Course (2016) and is a graduate of the Advanced School Seminar (2023). His awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2nd award), Joint Service Achievement Medal, and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2nd award).