Just when you thought a military band job was safe....

JHardisk · Post by **JHardisk** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:19 am

http://www.grandforks.com/mld/grandfork ... 006191.htm

This is relatively new AP news. The Air Force Band of Liberty in Boston is also proposed to be axed. All air force bands are being affected, mostly in reduction of size. The air force is also on a mission to cut people in their first enlistment. This will affect over 3600 new enlistees to the air force.

I guess this is what I get for taking a military band job for its "security".

We will learn more next week about our fate. I will post more as we find out what is going to happen.

joebob · Post by **joebob** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 9:32 am

Don't worry, even if the airforce cuts these band jobs, there are tons of full time orchestra tuba jobs available...........(for those that have a limited sense of humor that was a sarcastic statement)

Hearing about these military band cuts makes an already depressing tuba job market even more depressing. I've heard the Band of Liberty in Boston and they are really fantastic. It will be very sad if these bands are eliminated. I guess military jobs can be subject to the same instability as orchestra jobs.

charlieJ · Post by **charlieJ** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 10:19 am

These cuts also affect hobby tuba players - as an aerospace contractor my entire agency is getting axed Oct 1.....its the old war tax issue. The money has to come from somewhere.

WoodSheddin · Post by **WoodSheddin** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 10:31 am

Air Force is getting it. Their DC band is also part of the hiring freeze in the Air Force. They have a good number of openings, but are not allowed to fill them with auditions because of the freeze. So as people retire the workload becomes heavier on those still around.

Welcome to war.

JHardisk · Post by **JHardisk** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 12:03 pm

It's not only the DC band that's frozen. We've been unable to hire in any of our 9 vacancies as well. Every regional band knows about working shorthanded right now.

We've been somewhat briefed on what is to happen by FY 2011. All AF band will be reduced in size by this date. The numbers I've seen have each band with only 1 tuba spot. That will reduce the AF employed tubists to 6, from roughly 14. We haven't been told exactly how it will affect each of us. This is just a proposed band career field cut. From 1200 to 950 is the proposal. It hasn't gone to congress... yet. They are meeting this week (coincidentally, at my base) to finalize plans. I'm so glad they tapped the band to go and play dinner music for them, while they determine our fate. I know if I were a 4 star general, I wouldn't be able to enjoy my dinner without a background woodwind quintet.

On a non band personnel cut, targeting first term enlistees, the AF is looking to unload approximately 3600 people. Two AF tubists are in this window, including myself. As of this minute, my job is safe. 5 minutes from now that may not be true. Each career field is being restricted in some way on first term people wishing to reenlist. The bands have yet to have this handed down, but it is only a matter of time before the bean counters throw us into the mix. Here is a link to anyone interested: http://aimpoints.hq.af.mil/display.cfm?id=12140

I'll continue to post anything I know as we learn it. It's not a great time for AF bands. There will be a few more unemployed tubists back on the hunt for a gig...

Donn · Post by **Donn** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 12:42 pm

JHardisk wrote:I'm so glad they tapped the band to go and play dinner music for them, while they determine our fate. I know if I were a 4 star general, I wouldn't be able to enjoy my dinner without a background woodwind quintet.

Puts an interesting angle on "playing for your dinner."

XtremeEuph · Post by **XtremeEuph** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 12:45 pm

depressing for tuba? Even worse for euphonium *sniffle*..they dont even have that 1% chance at an orchestra heh..

John Caves · Post by **John Caves** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 2:33 pm

You guys can do what I am doing, look for a Polka Band.

Dean E · Post by **Dean E** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 3:44 pm

JHardisk wrote: . . . . On a non band personnel cut, targeting first term enlistees, the AF is looking to unload approximately 3600 people. Two AF tubists are in this window, including myself. As of this minute, my job is safe. 5 minutes from now that may not be true. . . . .

Many of us went back to school after the military. Maybe your home state has a military scholarship, in addition to federal Veterans' educational benefits. Cut back on the lifestyle expenditures and get that Masters or Doctorate. They can never take your education away.

DLThomas · Post by **DLThomas** » Thu Jul 13, 2006 8:45 pm

The Notables, Offut's jazz band unit, played here (Helena, MT) this past Tuesday night. Terrific concert! I did notice that they had two civilians helping out, one on trumpet and one on electric bass. Not sure, but during introductions I think I heard they were from local symphonies. I wish the band luck in staying together and keeping service men and women playing music.

Dave "thinking military bands are of value always" Thomas

JHardisk · Post by **JHardisk** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 11:19 am

Dean E wrote:
JHardisk wrote: . . . . On a non band personnel cut, targeting first term enlistees, the AF is looking to unload approximately 3600 people. Two AF tubists are in this window, including myself. As of this minute, my job is safe. 5 minutes from now that may not be true. . . . .
Many of us went back to school after the military. Maybe your home state has a military scholarship, in addition to federal Veterans' educational benefits. Cut back on the lifestyle expenditures and get that Masters or Doctorate. They can never take your education away.

I'm already working on this now. With late notice, it's pretty tough to get admitted to a school unless you happen to have a very good friend as the teacher. (my case, I do). I'm working to have the AF foot the bill for the rest of my masters degree while I still have a job.

As far as cutting expenditures... My wife and I are expecting our second child in Jan... we concieved before the AF decided to screw with our jobs. Pretty hard to take care of a family of 4 when you're getting a doctoral degree... even with a generous stipend. We own a house here, too.

Life will go on for us... I'm sure everyone is stacking up their chips like I am, and making plans for another career, or even *gasp* (sarcastically) a non music career. When it comes down to it, feeding your family should be more important that blowing into a piece of metal for a living.

porkchopsisgood · Post by **porkchopsisgood** » Sun Jul 16, 2006 11:57 am

Hey John,

Good luck brotha....I can't even begin to know what you and others are going through right now. Just wanted to let you know I'm pulling for ya, and hope everything works out. It's just ridiculous that the bean counters can't and won't realize how important your groups are to the communities in which they thrive: I currently live in Newport News, VA, and I got a chance to see the USAF Heritage of America Band about a month ago...it was by far one of the best band concerts I've heard in a very long time. Their attention to detail and the immaculate interpretations by the conductors made for a very enjoyable experience. I'd hate to see that reputation hurt because they can't hire a replacement bassoonist or harpist.

If it'll help, any letter I can write on your behalf I will do happily.

Hang in there, brotha....GO OWLS!