Military Bands as a career?

adam0408 · Post by **adam0408** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 6:51 pm

I am at that point in my life when I really need to start thinking about the future and what I am going to do to earn some money. I want music to be involved in a big way, and right now, a feasible option looks like a military band of some sort.

I however, hesitate to take this step because of today's unsteady political and military climate. The military has also always been a little frightening to me.

Can anyone who has actually had the experience, or knows someone personally that has, tell me the truth about this job option?

Chuck Jackson · Post by **Chuck Jackson** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 7:26 pm

Having been in the military band system for 11 years, I can tell you that you are very wrong. The only band that doesn't require their members to go through Basic Training is the Presidents Own. The Washington Bands and the Academy Bands require Basic but no the School. The Air Force is on a system of it's own. EVERY MEMBER OF EVERY BAND IS A MEMBER OF THE SERVICE THAT BAND IS CONNECTED TO, NO CIVILIANS. EVERYONE WEARS THE GREEN. Hope that clears that bit of misinformation up.

Chuck

Chuck Jackson · Post by **Chuck Jackson** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 7:27 pm

Sorry Navy and Air Force Guys, you wear the blue.

Karl H. · Post by **Karl H.** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 7:28 pm

Hi Adam,

Although I see that you are fairly new to this board, I'm surprised you haven't realized how many military band members drop by for a visit, not the mention the moderator of this site is in Pershing's Own, the premier US Army Band in D.C.

I'll just keep my comments short, as I'm sure many others will add helpful comments, and when you can narrow your question to something more specific than "...the truth..." people will be able to give you specific replys.

First, check the topic of military band's in the archives: there are a zillion posts on the topic. Second, in the U.S., there are basically 3 kinds of bands: the premier bands are located in Washington, D.C. (with the exception of the Coast Guard Band); academy bands at each to the four service academies, and fleet (or field) bands located all over the world (the Army also has a band in Maryland, the Army Field Band, that is the Army's touring band).

Also, job security, at least in the premier bands, is as good or better than any musical performing group in the country.

Lastly, be thankful that members of the military serving overseas aren't as frightened as you seem to be of their service.

Thank you, the soap box is now closed.

Karl "sorry I'm not in a better mood" Hovey

BTW, tubachris is full of beans: ALL members of the US bands are in the military. Most of the premier band members audition as civilians, and the members of the D.C. Marine band don't go to marine boot camp, but you better believe they're all members of the military.

BradParrish · Post by **BradParrish** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 7:44 pm

First off, to Chuck, we Navy guys don't wear blue either! Our "Navy Blue" is actually black, and then White in the summer. It used to be blue many years ago.

To answer the original question. The non premiere bands, at least in the Navy are a good option for a musician. It may not be the place you want to make a career out of it, but it's a great place to make some money and prepare for college or graduate school. You've got to make an effort to not fall into to trap of complacency, and practice! I'm currently trying to pull myself out of that rut. If you're in shape, and can play your instrument relatively well, you shouldn't have a problem getting in to the Army of Navy Bands.

If you're the slightest bit afraid of going to war, than don't join the Marine fleet bands. There are a few Army Bands that deploy, (I've got at least on friend that just got back a couple of months ago) but none of the Navy Bands would be sent into a hostile area. Some of the people I work with did play a few gigs in Bosnia and that area when the stuff was going on over there, but they were nowhere near the action.
You can make a career in a base or fleet band, but keep in mind that for the most part, the longer you stay in and the more rank you put on, the less playing is a part of your duties!

If you have any specific question send me a PM and I'll get back to you.

Brad Parrish
Tuba
US Navy Band Great Lakes

BradParrish · Post by **BradParrish** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 8:20 pm

Yep, we're actually switching to White's on May first up here. We'll probably be freezing for a few weeks, but you can still wear your peacoat with the Whites. It does look a little odd though!

Brad Parrish

Adam C. · Post by **Adam C.** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 8:53 pm

I'd also like to point out that the US Coast Guard Band also DOES NOT require basic training, which is a BIG plus for alot of folks.

WoodSheddin · Post by **WoodSheddin** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 9:03 pm

Adam C. wrote:I'd also like to point out that the US Coast Guard Band also DOES NOT require basic training, which is a BIG plus for alot of folks.

Learn something new every day.

adam0408 · Post by **adam0408** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 9:11 pm

oh really? That might be a better option.... I dont have any desire to go through basic training- probably because I have misconceptions about it.

What does the process entail these days?

BradParrish · Post by **BradParrish** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 9:14 pm

Yeah, the new camies look pretty slick actually. I kind of enjoyed not wearing camofaluge while at the Armed Forces School of Music. Everyone excpet the Navy wore them everyday but Friday. I think i'd rather wear the new camies than the Utilities, but right now my band is wearing civies when we're not on gigs since our temporary band facility is technically off base. Hopefully they'll actually finish the renovation on our band hall! Then is back to uniforms everyday.

Brad Parrish

Chuck Jackson · Post by **Chuck Jackson** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 10:55 pm

Brad,
Nice to hear that you guys are considering your uniforms black. When I taught at the School, all my Navy students hated their "Blues" days, which happened on Fridays during the Winter. During the summer, y'all looked pretty spiffy in your whites, but I seem to remember your daily working uniform as BLUE dungarees and light BLUE shirts.

Chuck"who needs help remembering his colors now that he is out of the military, but remembers a whole bunch of green, blue and black in Uncle Sam's Happy Camping Club"Jackson

Chuck Jackson · Post by **Chuck Jackson** » Sat Mar 12, 2005 10:58 pm

Maybe since I'm 44 and looking back things are tinged with a certain shade of rose(damn, there goes that whole color thing again), but I did the most growing up in my life in Basic Training. It's not for everyone, just those who have the stones to live through it.

Chuck"who is amazed that people now won't select a GREAT career path in the military because of Basic Training, but that's just my take on it and those people wouldn't make great MILITARY musicians because it takes more than a little accepting of the unreasonable"Jackson

Leland · Post by **Leland** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 1:51 am

BradParrish wrote:If you're the slightest bit afraid of going to war, then don't join the Marine fleet bands.

Wait, is this true?

Yup.

The different fleet bands have differing levels of risk. They more or less stay attached to their battalion or division, so while the 1st MarDiv band will go provide security at a base in Iraq (along with musical support for ceremonies), the band at MCRD San Diego will pretty much stick around for recruit graduations and the occasional field exercise.

The only Marine band that's not combat trained is the President's Own. Even the Commandant's Own drum & bugle corps, also stationed at Marine Barracks, maintains a nominal level of combat proficiency.

If basic training seems like it might be scary, you shouldn't worry. Marine boot camp is supposed to be the roughest... but if I made it, then anybody could.

poomshanka · Post by **poomshanka** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 1:58 am

Some good info:

viewtopic.php?t=4195&highlight=

Leland · Post by **Leland** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 1:59 am

TUBACHRIS85 wrote:... as the ones who become an officer through the enlisted ranks, which are known as,"stallions"

Just being nitpicky, but last I heard, the nickname was "Mustangs" -- and that's pretty much service-wide.

The term is usually given with respect, because such officers have "been there, done that" as enlisted troops. Imagine the difference in knowledge between someone who went to Officer Candidate School (OCS) straight out of college and someone who had been at the tip of the spear, so to speak.

This short writeup describes it well --
http://www.dcmilitary.com/navy/trident/ ... 12299.html

Tubadork · Post by **Tubadork** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 9:36 am

Hey,
Just for clarity, for the non-premiere bands of the Army, if you are going to stay in 20 years, YOU WILL SEE COMBAT. I would say that about 1/3 to 1/2 of the Band here in Korea (8th Army Band, Seoul, Korea) has been in combat or is on their way to a unit that will be deploying soon. I had no idea when I joined and I'm not sure that I would have joined if I knew that.
Bill "writing from the field in Taegu, on a break from guarding the command post, dressed in full battle gear including M16 and not a tuba in sight" Pritchard

30 DAYS AND COUNTING

WoodSheddin · Post by **WoodSheddin** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 12:57 pm

Henry wrote:If you intend to wear the uniform of the nation's armed services only as some kind of work related requirement don't disgrace yourself and your fellows by joining.

Takes all kinds. Military is full of the "Hooah!" and the "Who what?". Not everyone signs up to defend their nation in combat. A large chunk sign up to earn a steady paycheck. Pull out all the "steady paycheck" types and the Army would become the Marine Corps. Smaller and meaner, but certainly too small.

As long as someone does their job to the best of their abilities and follows orders and rules, then let them have their paycheck.

Adam C. · Post by **Adam C.** » Sun Mar 13, 2005 5:41 pm

-If you intend to wear the uniform of the nation's armed services only as some kind of work related requirement don't disgrace yourself and your fellows by joining. Many military band members may have duties only as bandmembers- but they are all also soldiers/marines/sailors/airmen at the core.

-If you become an officer you'll be out of the music business. Only warrants remain in the band arena. Ensigns, Lieutenants and up are in the service.

For the first statement by Henry, I speak for myself only when I say I'm a musician at the core. Was a musician before I enlisted, and will be after I'm out. I'm sure it's the same way for many other military folks.

For Henry's second statement, I'm not sure I understand what he's talking about. Everyone is "in the service", and gaining rank as a conductor doesn't mean you lose involvement in music. At least from my experience.

Dean · Post by **Dean** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 12:18 pm

DO NOT let Basic Training be a factor in your decision. 6-12 weeks (depending on the branch) is simply not enough of a chunk of your life to deter you from making a big decision.

Other factors are important, sure. Basic isnt one of them!

ThomasDodd · Post by **ThomasDodd** » Tue Mar 15, 2005 1:28 pm

Leland wrote:Even the Commandant's Own drum & bugle corps, also stationed at Marine Barracks, maintains a nominal level of combat proficiency.

That's good to know. How often do you guys get to the rifle range?

Marine boot camp is supposed to be the roughest... but if I made it, then anybody could.

That was my feeling when I left P.I. in 1990. I went in expecting a lot more than I got, not that I was prepared for either. But 15 years ago is was nothing like "Full Metal Jacket", though sometimes I wish it had been.