The U.S. Space Force has an official anthem, thanks to U.S. Air Force veteran, musician and Middle Tennessee State University adjunct professor Jamie Teachenor.
Teachenor has solidified his place in U.S. Armed Forces history by writing the words and melody to the newest military branch’s signature song, entitled “Sempra Supra” and aptly named after the branch’s motto, translated from Latin to “always above.”
There were several submissions, but Teachenor’s composition rose above the rest. He said he couldn’t have done it, however, without the support from the first-ever Chief of Space Operations Gen. John “Jay” Raymond, Lieutenant Colonel R. Michael Mench, Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force Roger Towberman and U.S. Coast Guard Band trombonist, staff arranger and chief musician Sean Nelson.
Teachenor submitted the anthem right after the Space Force was officially established in 2019, and it took two years and nine months for it to go through the approval process.
“I had no idea they were choosing my song,” he said. “There were times I thought, ‘Well, I haven’t heard anything, so I guess nothing’s going to happen.’ And it was a wonderful surprise when it did happen.”
The Space Force officially implemented the anthem on Sept. 20, 2022, during the 2022 Air & Space Forces Association Air, Space and Cyber Conference in Maryland.
Space had been a part of the Air Force for years, but it officially became a separate branch under the Department of the Air Force in 2019, similar to how the Marine Corps operates under the Department of the Navy.
As a veteran of both the U.S. Air Force and its band, Teachenor did not take this task lightly. He had to write a song that encapsulated the mission and vision of the Space Force’s Guardians to ensure it would stand the test of time.
Teachenor has an expansive resume to qualify him for such a monumental moment: He’s written songs for and recorded with major artists such as Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan and Lynyrd Skynyrd. The award-winning, multiplatinum singer, songwriter and producer has also performed on ABC’s Good Morning America and at iconic venues such as the Grand Ole Opry.
Teachenor also serves as a Sumner County commissioner.
“It brought me such joy to see my world of music and my world of military and my love for country collide in such a way that I had the opportunity to pen the words of the song the Guardians will sing while they wear the uniform,” Teachenor said.
He’s now passing along his passion for music as an adjunct professor of songwriting for the MTSU College of Media and Entertainment’s commercial songwriting program.
