Master Sergeant Devon Van enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and attended Recruit Training in September 1995 at Marine Corps Recruit Depot San Diego, California. Upon graduation from Recruit Training, he attended the Naval School of Music Basic Course in Norfolk, Virginia. In Master Sergeant Van’s first enlistment he served as a Tuba Instrumentalist at the Parris Island Marine Band, July 1996 – August 1998 and III Marine Expeditionary Force Band, Okinawa, Japan, August 1998 – September 1999.
In September 1999, Master Sergeant Van attended Southern Illinois University Edwardsville, where he worked towards his Bachelor’s Degree in Music Education. While attending SIUE, Master Sergeant Van enlisted into the Missouri Air National Guard where he was a Tuba and Bass Trombone Instrumentalist with the Air National Guard Band of the Central States out of St. Louis, Missouri.
In February 2003, Master Sergeant Van enlisted back into the U.S. Marine Corps and served as a Tuba instrumentalist at the Albany Marine Band. While stationed in Albany, Georgia, he was selected to go back to the Armed Forces School of Music to attend the Intermediate Course in August 2005. After graduation, he was sent to the 1st Marine Division Band as a Tuba Instrumentalist.
Upon reporting to the 1st Marine Division Band in May 2006, Master Sergeant Van was promoted to the rank of Staff Sergeant and made the Assistant Enlisted Conductor and Assistant Drum Major. In May 2007, he augmented the 1st Marine Division Military Police Company, Task Force MP as a Platoon Sergeant where they deployed to Iraq in September 2007 – April 2008. While deployed in Iraq, Master Sergeant Van was selected to become a Drum Major.
Master Sergeant Van served as the Drum Major for the Parris Island Marine Band, August 2008 – June 2011 and Marine Band San Diego, June 2011 – March 2015.
In March 2015, Master Sergeant Van attended Recruiter School, and in May 2015 he transferred to St. Louis, Missouri as a Marine Corps Recruiter. While on Recruiting duty with Recruiting Station St. Louis, Master Sergeant Van served as a Production Recruiter, Staff Non-Commissioned Officer in Charge of Recruiting Sub Station Edwardsville, and the Program Specialist until May 2018. Upon finishing recruiting duty, he was transferred to the 3d Marine Aircraft Wing Band, Miramar, California, where he served as the Drum Major. In January 2019, Master Sergeant Van was promoted his current rank and was transferred to the 1st Marine Division Band to serve as the Bandmaster in February 2019.
Master Sergeant Van’s awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2nd award), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4th award), Navy Unit Commendation, Meritorious Unit Commendation (3rd award), Good Conduct Medal (6th Award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2nd award), Recruiting Campaign award, Rifle Expert (4th award), and Pistol Expert (7th award).