82nd Airborne Band

sousaphatubaguy · Post by **sousaphatubaguy** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 12:10 am

well thank you all of the information again im sorry my response has been vacant, but i have been doing a little vacation before i leave for BCT on the 16th of July. I wont be able to chat with you guys for a while due to BCT and AIT, but ill keep posting here when i get the chance and see what new developments occur

Chuck Jackson · Post by **Chuck Jackson** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 12:45 am

Good Luck!!! BCT is as good or as bad as you make it. You will feel very good about yourself on Graduation Day and really feel like you have accomplished something. The USAESOM is a great place to practice and play. Yes, they have Drill Sargeants, but it is just a thing. Have a great initial 4 years. I really felt the military made me who I am today.

Chuck

chhite · Post by **chhite** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 3:18 am

Chuck, there has been another recent change to the school with the "E" being dropped in favor of the US Army School of Music. That riled up the Navy staff quite a bit and added fuel to that never-ending debate. There's also a good probability that all AITs will be losing their drill sergeant slots and being replaced by detachment(platoon) sergeants, like it was in the 80s at the SOM. No expected timeline on that, but don't be surprised to see it within the next few years.

Chris

jtuba · Post by **jtuba** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 8:59 am

see you when you get here

seroiusly, good luck

your future tuba instructor

Chuck Jackson · Post by **Chuck Jackson** » Thu Jul 05, 2007 12:17 pm

chhite wrote:Chuck, there has been another recent change to the school with the "E" being dropped in favor of the US Army School of Music. That riled up the Navy staff quite a bit and added fuel to that never-ending debate. There's also a good probability that all AITs will be losing their drill sergeant slots and being replaced by detachment(platoon) sergeants, like it was in the 80s at the SOM. No expected timeline on that, but don't be surprised to see it within the next few years.

Chris

Interesting, the more things change, the more they stay the same. When I went through in 1986 we had Platoon Sgts, no filed nights and a great guy named Earl Kuburski who was the NCOIC of the Army Barracks. He was cool enough to tell us whose room was going to inspected on Thursdays. Of course, those were the days of Jimmy units, civies, and unbridled freedom. While I was on staff I saw the change over to DI's, incredibly long field nights, and Jimmy restrictions. I am also amazed that the Navy finally got the "E" (for element for those uninitiated reading this) taken out of the name. Wierd thing is that alot of the guys I taught between 1986-1989 are either retiring or coming up for retirement. Were we ever so young!!!

Chuck

sousaphatubaguy · Post by **sousaphatubaguy** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 12:52 am

well i cant wait to get there and play. 9 months away

. any quick hints or advice before i go to BCT in a week?

WoodSheddin · Post by **WoodSheddin** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 2:11 am

sousaphatubaguy wrote:well i cant wait to get there and play. 9 months away . any quick hints or advice before i go to BCT in a week?

Don't bring shampoo or a hairbrush. No need.
Bring as little as possible.
Too late to start running if you haven't already.
Enjoy TV and beer while you still can.

Your primary mission is to graduate from BCT without any Drill Sergeants learning your name.

LoyalTubist · Post by **LoyalTubist** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 7:55 am

Even if they don't know your name, if they make up a special nickname for you, that could be even worse!

Badgley · Post by **Badgley** » Sat Jul 07, 2007 12:51 pm

BCT is a breeze if you have the right mindset. None of the training is all that difficult, the worst part about it is dealing with all the other people. Listen to your Drill Sergeants, believe it or not, they actually do want you to succed. Keep your mouth shut, which is going to be hard at times, and don't be first and especialy don't be last, the more you blend the better. When you get down, remember the reasons you joined, and use that as a positive tool to your benefit. Your time at BCT will pass by fast and before you know it you'll be graduated.
It actually is a pretty awesome experience, i'd do it again, but people may say i'm crazy.

You're going to get this alot, but welcome to the U.S. Army, you joined at a time when our country is at war and that makes you a hero already.

sousaphatubaguy · Post by **sousaphatubaguy** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 12:51 pm

ok one last question. does anyone know if any bandsmen have had to leave playing and gone to pick up a rifle not by choice? everyone in my family is afraid im going to be over in iraq with a m4 or something and never play my tuba ever again

Chuck Jackson · Post by **Chuck Jackson** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 1:02 pm

I have heard of lots of stories about bandsmen having to partake of combat. Goes with the territory. Remember and embrace this axiom:

Shooters before tooters

The chances you will ever see actual combat? Probably pretty slim, BUT Uncle Sam didn't spend all that time on BRM to not use you if needed.

Chuck

LoyalTubist · Post by **LoyalTubist** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 1:12 pm

When you do go to combat zones, you take (Army issued) instruments with you. You do get to play music in war areas. In the Vietnam War, some bands were wiped out during such activities.

Chuck Jackson · Post by **Chuck Jackson** » Sun Jul 08, 2007 1:37 pm

LoyalTubist wrote:When you do go to combat zones, you take (Army issued) instruments with you. You do get to play music in war areas. In the Vietnam War, some bands were wiped out during such activities.

I served with SGM Charley Heinz who was one of a handful of 101st Airborne Bandsmen that weren't killed in Vietnam on one of these missions to secure the "hearts and minds" of the local population. It does happen, however I can't comment on the frequency.

Chuck

sousaphatubaguy · Post by **sousaphatubaguy** » Sat Sep 29, 2007 5:24 pm

well i am finally out of basic training so i will see all you people at the SOM soon.

LoyalTubist · Post by **LoyalTubist** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 2:22 am

I think you will be fine. Just remember, some people do wash out at the School of Music. There were six that flunked out when I was there in 1979. They ended up going to artillery school. (I guess they figure you can't hear very well, so why not make it worse!)

It will be nice if you do, in fact, get to go to the 82nd Airborne Band. Just remember this, too. Sometimes, people end up going somewhere else, to another band. It might be for the better...

jtuba · Post by **jtuba** » Sun Sep 30, 2007 12:00 pm

Combat photographer seems to be the flunker MOS du jour. Don't worry, we don't fail you, you fail yourself...

Students show up here am sometimes seem to be distracted from the mission, graduation. Those are the ones that leave us. Do what you're told and work hard, you'll get through no problem.

Lee Stofer · Post by **Lee Stofer** » Mon Oct 01, 2007 5:44 pm

Welcome to the U.S. Army, and the opportunity to be a bandsman. I spent 22 years active duty in this organization, retired, and will always be thankful for the opportunities I enjoyed.

My first tour of duty was with the 101st Airborne Division "Screaming Eagle" Band, which had everything to do with tradition and nothing to do with jumping out of planes for us. The Division had transitioned to Air Assault missions and a percentage of the Band was Air Assault qualified, but it was not mandatory. In fact, when this young tuba/electric bass player requested to go to Jump School, Air Assault School, or Leadership Academy, the answer was always the same - "You are our only electric bass player and primary tuba player - forget it!" As I progressed through my career, I found that if I became busy-enough with meeting a Band's mission through playing in several groups, I was generally not burdened with much else. After all, I had volunteered to take the truck training and drove the equipment truck for the Band, so I had a secondary duty. But, if you were a clarinet/oboe/bassoon/french horn/euphonium player that didn't double, they would certainly find an administrative job for you in the Band.

I wish you the very best in your time in the Army. Also, know that I will be one of those Americans supporting you and praying that we win this war.