Navy Musicians in Afghanistan or Iraq

[b.williams]

Who provided your security as you moved about your area of operations?

[b.williams]

Who provided your security as you moved about your area of operations?

Iraq has perhaps 20 miles of shoreline 1000 miles inland from the Arabian Sea

and Afghanistan is landlocked

Are U.S. Navy Music Program personnel really deployed in these places?

Navy personnel are. So, that's why I asked.

[bububassboner]

The troops need music and entertainment for what they do for us overseas. I think the dangers of sending musicians overseas in these war torn countries is not worth the risk.

We all knew the risks involved when we took that oath. Once you play for soldiers down range or play for our wounded warriors you'll know that it's always worth it.

As for security, though we don't need to discuss such details online you never have to go it alone.

[b.williams]

The troops need music and entertainment for what they do for us overseas. I think the dangers of sending musicians overseas in these war torn countries is not worth the risk.

We all knew the risks involved when we took that oath. Once you play for soldiers down range or play for our wounded warriors you'll know that it's always worth it.

As for security, though we don't need to discuss such details online you never have to go it alone.

Since they deploy all over the world, I am curious about how a Navy Music group would secure itself with no organic weapons.

[b.williams]

To this casual observer,
going to Tubenet to find out who protects sailors on land in foreign, hostile countries like Iraq and Afghanistan
makes as much sense (upon first glance) as deployment of U.S. Navy Music Program personnel in these landlocked places.

Don't the other branches of the military who are actively engaged in those countries have music programs as well?

FYI, the Navy is actively engaged in the area. I was asking if any Navy TubeNet members were deployed to those areas to do gigs. Don't over-think it. It is a real simple question.

[USStuba04]

Currently, navy musicians do not deploy to combat areas.

[b.williams]

Currently, navy musicians do not deploy to combat areas.

Thank you for you response.

[b.williams]

I asked the question on the Navy Music Facebook page and this is the answer I received:


Hello - great question. The Navy has not deployed any bands or individual musicians to Iraq or Afghanistan. I'm not certain of the exact reasons, but generally the Navy only sent Sailors there who had specific skill sets, and the amount of security that would be required for a public performance would be astronomical.

In the past few years, Navy bands have deployed to just about every corner of the globe, including the Caribbean, South America, Africa, Eastern Europe, Southeast Asia, Australia, and the Pacific island nations. It's entirely possible for a Navy Musician to perform on every continent during the course of a career.

Thanks for your interest in Navy Music!

-- Senior Chief Jay Loose
Newport, RI

Yet another difference between Navy, Marines and Army musicians.

[JustinLerma]

Hi,

I am one of the members of the Navy band stationed in Italy. This area is technically covered by us and, in the last year there have been chances for us to go in to Dubai, Tunisia, and various "high risk" places. While you will not find us deployed to Iraq for extended periods of time like other branches, there are times we can go and provide support.

This band covers all of Europe, South Asia, and Africa in addition to deploying on ships to support various missions but, When we go out of the building our job is only to perform. That being said, you will find many of us with Surface Warfare or Cyber Warfare pins. Additionally you can find many of our members engaged in security jobs and leadership positions through out the fleet.

Justin

[JustinLerma]

I totally posted without really looking at the question. My bad.

In past travels to almost every part of Africa, and all around Europe, we never had a security detail with us. Usually there is a force protection plan in place and a brief on dangers of the area will be given to us but that is it. We also go through plenty of anti-terrorism training to keep us alert.

[b.williams]

I totally posted without really looking at the question. My bad.

In past travels to almost every part of Africa, and all around Europe, we never had a security detail with us. Usually there is a force protection plan in place and a brief on dangers of the area will be given to us but that is it. We also go through plenty of anti-terrorism training to keep us alert.

Interesting. Thanks for responding.

[MartyNeilan]

FYI, the Navy is actively engaged in the area.

I have a friend who is Naval reserve, and was trained to operate submarines. He spent a year in Iraq leading convoys in an armored vehicle. Sometimes the training and job description don't necessarily match up with the actual job duties, as situations are bound to rapidly change and different needs arise.
(My grandfather was trained for cavalry in WWII. As soon as they found out that horses locked their knees and broke their legs when dropped by parachute, he was quickly part of a "dismounted" unit.)

[b.williams]

FYI, the Navy is actively engaged in the area.

I have a friend who is Naval reserve, and was trained to operate submarines. He spent a year in Iraq leading convoys in an armored vehicle. Sometimes the training and job description don't necessarily match up with the actual job duties, as situations are bound to rapidly change and different needs arise.
(My grandfather was trained for cavalry in WWII. As soon as they found out that horses locked their knees and broke their legs when dropped by parachute, he was quickly part of a "dismounted" unit.)

WOW. My former Army unit turned field artillery "gun bunnies" into MPs for CONUS duty while the "real" MPs went to Iraq and Afghanistan