National Guard Bands?

[Tubadork]

Hi,
I would call the specific band you are intersted in and talk to them about their schedual. Some for their 2 weeks a year will go on tour and are supported by their command and do a purely musical mission, while others either balance the 2 or there are some that have been told that they are going to Iraq. So far I don't think that any of the NG or RC bands have gone into recent combat, but if you look at the statistics of who is in Iraq there are lots of NG and RC soldiers over there. So, if the band is attached to an Infantry Division and that Infantry Division goes to war they may bring the band to pull perimeter security (the mission of the Active Army bands during wartime).
If the band is good or fulfills your needs (finacially, musically etc..) I think it can be a great opportunity.
For contact info on all bands:
http://bands.army.mil/default.asp
Bill Pritchard

[Gorilla Tuba]

I played in three different guard bands while in college (no I wasn't finicky, I actually graduated from 3 different schools). Each band had its merits and drawbacks. The one good thing about all of 'em was that it was great extra money while in school.

Sacramento, California guard band was really a great band. It was mostly school band directors and performing musicians. There were a lot of people who joined the Guard to avoid active duty during the Vietnam Era. I was one of two or three college students... but all of us students were a little older with prior active duty.

Idaho National Guard in Boise was a very young band. Mostly all college students... really not a great band, but summer tours were really fun.

Ohio guard band in Columbus... I was only with them for a short time. Good playing band with a mix of old farts and youngsters. That was the most "Armyesque" of the guard bands I know. If I had stayed in Ohio longer I would have enjoyed staying with this band.

I don't do National guard anymore because I don't have time. My Fall is too busy with football games. The band here in Kansas (Kansas City area) seems like a first class unit. If I lived closer, I might just re-up. However, I am now fat and I like it.

In short, some guard bands really suck, some are really pretty decent. I like to think of them as green-wearing-community bands that have some excellent benefits. As a student, its really a great financial opportunity.

[chhite]

The 42d Division Band (NG) from NY was ramping up last year at Ft. Drum while I was there in preparation to deploy to Iraq. Not sure of their present location but they were doing great things then, and I'm sure the trend continues. Many bands, regardless of status(RA, USAR, NG) are being called to perform missions both home and deployed. In my opinion, it's a great way to serve, get some great benefits, and play your horn. As Bill mentioned, contact the band you are interested in and ask what their annual training requirements are and determine if it fits into what you want to do. This board is full of experience and many will offer their views. Best of luck.

[ThomasDodd]

Does anyone have any experience with Regional National Guard Bands? I have the oppurtunity to join and it is very nice money to finish school and extra $$$

Are you willing to go to combat? If not stop now.
Don't join the Guard for college money, or drill pay.

Join to serve you're country in the capacity you best can, but be prepared to carry a rifle and use it.

Right now the'se a high likelyhood of you seeing combat duty. Don't expect to olny do the 1 weekend/month + 2 weeks thing right now.

Now if you are up to it, we need good poeple in the military, so come on.

[RyanSchultz]

check the archives--there is a lot of information on this topic

[WoodSheddin]

check the archives--there is a lot of information on this topic

where

[ai698]

I would recommend to see if you can sit in on a drill and play with them. Most states have 100% tuition, student loan repayment plans, and bonu$$e$. Talk to the band members before you talk to a recruiter.

I'm in the ARNG band in New Mexico, we just had our inspection with CW5 Klintberg from the Nebraska NG band and SMG Fletcher from the Arkansas NG band. Their bands are in the upper spectrum of the Army bands (not just NG band, but Army wide) and have a waiting list to get members. Our band is in transition and needs some improvement (from our evaluation) because we're short personnel and have some bad, unplayable instruments (like tubas and sousaphones). Other bands they have observe range from bad to worse (they didn't mention any bands in particular, but we tried to get names) and good to great (they mentioned those).

Steve
44th Army Band
Remember Bataan!

[RyanSchultz]

I recall that we've had several discussions about military bands and, I thought, the Guard and Reserve Bands as well.

Stuff like:

http://www.chisham.com/tips/bbs/jan2003 ... 20346.html
http://www.chisham.com/tips/bbs/nov2001 ... 77368.html
http://www.chisham.com/tips/bbs/nov2001 ... 77580.html

Is old tubenet considered the archives, or is that something else (seriously, I don't know)?

[RyanSchultz]

No apology is necessary. I typed "Army Bands" into search old tubenet. What search did you and Sean use?

I'm still "getting the hang" of the new forum.