Cmdr. Diane Nichols was the first woman limited duty officer bandmaster promoted to the rank of commander in 2021, a milestone for the almost 50 years of women’s service to Navy Bands. Commissioned as a Navy bandmaster in 2005, Nichols served as the assistant director and director of the Naval Academy Band, director of Navy Band New Orleans, director of Navy Band Southwest, and executive officer of the U.S. Navy Band in Washington, D.C.

Last Updated: 29 March 2023