Chris Vlangas hails from Vero Beach, Florida and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in October 1994. He attended the Basic Music Course at the Naval School of Music in Little Creek, VA and was subsequently assigned as a trombonist with the Parris Island Marine Band in Beaufort, South Carolina.
After completing his four-year enlistment in the U.S. Marine Corps, Sergeant Vlangas enlisted in the United States Navy as a Musician Second Class and was assigned to the CINCSOUTH Band in Naples, Italy until March 2002.
Following his tour in Italy, he graduated from the Navy Recruiting School in Pensacola, Florida and was subsequently assigned to Navy Recruiting Station, Melbourne, Florida where he served as a Canvasser Recruiter. In May 2004, he was appointed as the Recruiter-in-Charge of his station, and was selected for meritorious promotion to Musician First Class.
In February 2005, he reported to Navy Band Northeast, Newport, Rhode Island where he served as the Command Career Counselor, Leading Petty Officer, and Operations Coordinator until August 2008.
In September 2008, he was promoted to the rank of Chief Petty Officer while attending the Senior Musician Course at the Naval School of Music. Upon graduation in May 2009, he reported for duty as the Leading Chief Petty Officer and Ceremonial Band Conductor of Navy Band New Orleans.
In January 2011, he was assigned to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe Band in Naples, Italy. While there he served as the Administration Chief, Italian Operations Coordinator, and Africa Partnership Station Lead. Additionally, he served as the Chief-in-Charge of four forward-deployed musical units in 12 countries throughout Europe and Africa, including deployments with the USS Robert G. Bradley (FFG 49) and the HSV-2 Swift.
He returned to Newport, Rhode Island in December of 2012 where he served as the Leading Chief Petty Officer, Assistant Director and Senior Enlisted Leader of Navy Band Northeast.
His military awards include: the Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (3 awards); Joint Service Achievement Medal; Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (4 awards); Navy Good Conduct Medal (5 awards); Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal; Navy Recruiting Service Ribbon; Overseas Service Ribbon (4 awards); Rifle Expert Medal and the Pistol Sharp Shooter Ribbon.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts (Music) Degree from Thomas Edison State University and is a graduate of the Connecticut School of Broadcasting.