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So I was wondering if someone could give me an overview of how the reserves work in the USA. Basically, I'd like to know in what services are there bands? More specifically, Does the Navy have reserve bands? What 's the Difference between National Guard and Army Reserve? How often do they work(on a monthly basis)? Are these bands a descent playing level?


Basically, My idea is that in 2 years time I might be going to study in the States. As a Canadian, there is an understanding between both our governments for reservists who want to work in others countries. Basically, I could go work with a US Reserve band, while being paid by the Canadian government. This procedure is usually pretty long administratively as it has to go through HQ of both countries...

Also, If anyone knows anybody who has done this and has any stories to share, feel free to message me.

Thanks

PM

The navy does not have reserve bands.

Tubajason wrote:There are national guard bands and army reserve bands, both are by audition and depending where you are located depends on the needs of the band, once you pass the audition you take the physical, will have to do at least 8 weeks of boot camp and then will be required to give up one weekend a month for rehearsals and performances and two weeks a year for performance tours.

Check out the national guard website they have an audition for a tuba opening in the national guard band of new england in April the site lists the audition requirements, time requirements, and benefits.

Is the 8 wk Boot camp the same as basic training for real soldiers?????

Brown Mule wrote:

Tubajason wrote:There are national guard bands and army reserve bands, both are by audition and depending where you are located depends on the needs of the band, once you pass the audition you take the physical, will have to do at least 8 weeks of boot camp and then will be required to give up one weekend a month for rehearsals and performances and two weeks a year for performance tours.

Check out the national guard website they have an audition for a tuba opening in the national guard band of new england in April the site lists the audition requirements, time requirements, and benefits.

Is the 8 wk Boot camp the same as basic training for real soldiers?????

Yes. Basic training is for anyone who joins the Army. It's now a total of ten weeks long. After completing Basic you will then go to the Armed Forces School of Music for another ten weeks (this is new, reserve used to be 4 weeks and active 6 months). Then yes it's one weekend a month and two weeks out of the summer. It's great, I personally love it as you can do that and go to college. Also, you can transfer to active duty later if that is really what you want to do.

The basic difference is that the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps and Coast Guard Reserves have a federal mission and the Army and Air National Guard has a combined state and federal mission. So, the Governor can mobilize the National Guard for state missions but not the Reserves. The President can mobilize both the Guard and the Reserves for federal missions, but not state missions. There are also many other differences, such as funding, rank recognition, types of units, etc.

Keep in mind that, just like their active duty counterparts, Army Reserve and Air and Army National Guard Bands could deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan.

When service band members are deployed, do they perform any "warrior" , administrative, or medical corp duties overseas in between ceremonial band duties? ( In my service days as Airborne, infantry, stuck in the boonies of Korea, we never saw a band)-----------Lived just like MASH.

Yes, absolutely. All musicians needed to be up to speed on their basic soldier skills and certain theater specific tasks.

Thanks for the replies so far....

I have looked on the Reserve web page and I haven't found much info about what musicians do on a day to day basis on weekends. Are there gigs regularly? Are there additional rehearsals during the month or just one weekend? Additional concerts ?

Reserve musicians go through the same basic training as everyone else. Reserve Army musicians have a short course at the School of Music. Air Force band members have no school. Everyone does OJT(on the job training).

Bands exist in:
Army Reserve (18)
Army National Guard (53)
Air National Guard (11)

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The number indicates the number of bands.

As far as playing, reserve bands probably do more playing than regular bands. You do need time for rifle qualification, chemical warfare training, and other military subjects that everyone does.