Creative Lead and Assistant Communication Strategy Chief Master Sergeant Brian Rust of Vernal, Utah, joined “The President’s Own” United States Marine Band in June 2006.

Master Sgt. Rust began his musical training on piano at age 10 and on saxophone at age 12. Upon graduating from Uintah High School in Vernal in 2000, he attended Brigham Young University (BYU) in Provo, Utah, where he earned a bachelor’s degree in communications with an emphasis in public relations and a minor in business management in 2006.

Prior to joining “The President’s Own,” Master Sgt. Rust worked with University Communications at BYU and the TriCounty Health Department in Vernal.

As Creative Lead, Master Sgt. Rust oversees the conceptualization, production, and design of all print and digital publicity materials for the Marine Band, including concert publicity self-mailers, concert season brochures, posters, albums, and other marketing materials with an international reach, as well as graphics for both the Marine Band website and social media pages. He also creates and manages all branding for the incredibly popular Sousa's March Mania annual competition, including the creation of more than 100 different march icons, custom brackets, buttons, stickers, and March King crowns. In 2022, the Pentagon officially unveiled a permanent full wall exhibit designed by Master Sgt. Rust that honors all military musicians and features the National Medal of Arts awarded to all military musicians by President Donald Trump. Additionally, he develops publicity campaigns for performances, special events, and national concert tours; writes and edits news stories, feature articles, and biographies; works with members of the local and national media; represents “The President’s Own” at concerts and national conventions; advances the band’s annual concert tour and manages sponsors’ tickets and publicity efforts; and maintains the Marine Band website.