First Class Petty Officer Justin P. Skorupa, USN
Trumpeter, Naval Academy Band

Musician First Class Justin Skorupa is a native of Appalachia, Virginia in Wise County. He graduated from Radford High School in 1990 with honors. Afterwards, he attended Boston University for a year and then Morehead State University for three years. He studied trumpet with Dr. Jon Burgess and arranging with Mr. David Anderson while pursuing a Bachelors of Music degree in Jazz Studies. He competed for and was awarded a scholarship from the International Trumpet Guild in 1993. He also performed as bandleader, instrumentalist, and arranger for the German Band at Paramount's King's Island in Cincinnati, Ohio that same year. He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in December of 1994.

Upon completion of Marine Corps Boot Camp at Parris Island, South Carolina, Private First Class Skorupa was assigned to the 2d Marine Division Band in Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He served as an instrumentalist, arranger, fire team leader, squad leader, and public affairs coordinator and was promoted to the ranks of Lance Corporal, Corporal and Sergeant. During his lengthy tour with the 2d Marine Division Band, he performed in over 500 ceremonies, concerts and parades and deployed, with the band, to the Republic of Turkey for operational training as a part of the II Marine Expeditionary Force in 1998.

Sgt Skorupa transferred to the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Band at Twenty-nine Palms, California where he continued to serve as an instrumentalist and arranger while also developing leadership skills as the Assistant Drum Major, Platoon Sergeant, and Administrative Chief in addition to other musical responsibilities. He also strived to further his education with studies at the University of Redlands and Copper Mountain College.

Early in 2001, Sgt Skorupa volunteered for the Music Arranger Course at the Armed Forces School of Music aboard the Naval Amphibious Base Little Creek in Norfolk, Virginia, and graduated at the top of his class. He was retained as a member of the School of Music Staff, where he continued to compose, arrange and transcribe music for the School's many ensembles.

Sgt Skorupa auditioned with U.S. Naval Academy Band as Staff Arranger/Composer and won appointment in May 2002. Musician First Class Skorupa enlisted in the United States Navy in September 2002, at which time he was appointed to his present grade. He joined the band in October after attending military training at the Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois.

His military awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (2nd Award), Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal (2nd Award), National Defense Service Medal (2nd Award), Meritorious Unit Commendation (2nd Award), and the Navy Expert Rifle Medal.

Musician First Class Skorupa is a member of the National Honor Society, International Trumpet Guild and the Phi Mu Alpha Sinfonia Professional Music Fraternity.

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