military bands

Risden3 · Regular Member Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 98

Hoping some of you guys and girls out there with military band experience could help me out. I made my audition but cannot get a straight answer from my recruiter or liason. If I get it a band, how often will I have to move? How does it work? I really like this idea but I am not really sure if constantly picking up and moving are for me. Any one have any input. BTW I only made an audition so far for a national guard spot but am now seriously considering trying out for an Army active duty band.

Thanks,
Rich

Howie J · Posted: Fri Oct 24, 2008 11:27 pm Post subject:

Do a quick search. Military bands have been discussed in detail here. There are many current and former military trumpet players on here. All of them will be more than happy to share their experiences and views by post or PM.

Howie J
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Risden3 · Regular Member Joined: 15 Feb 2007 Posts: 98

I did search 18 pages, but did not find anything remotely on topic. I was hoping a few members of the TH might be able to offer a little help. I may try search again later and start at page 19.....
thanks,
Rich

B6L · Posted: Sat Oct 25, 2008 3:53 am Post subject:

I have been playing trumpet in the Navy for 16 years and the short answer to your question is yes you will have to move, probably every 3 to 4 years. I know the Airforce can homestead (stay in one place) But the other services cannot, although I extended in Italy for a total of 8 years . It is no surprise the recruiter can't give you any answers, in general they don't get very many musicians and never know what to do with them when they do.
Feel free to contact me with any questions.

Nate
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tpt978 · Veteran Member Joined: 20 Jul 2008 Posts: 178

jasonsaxhorn · Posted: Sun Oct 26, 2008 10:51 am Post subject:

I am a trumpet player but I have not been in the military. Although I grew up in a Navy family. I will say from my experience that it is tough on the family. My mother basically raised three kids. It takes a toll. If you can make a top group then go for it. With these groups you stand a chance of never being transferred.

777 · Posted: Fri Oct 31, 2008 5:32 pm Post subject:

Rich,

I was in the 389th Army Band which at the time was stationed right there in your state @ Ft. Monmouth. Most people stayed in their original band their entire first enlistment back then.

Here's my advice, rather than talking to your recruiter or liason, go talk to people in the active duty band. Is there still one at Ft. Dix? And don't just talk to the NCO's & Commanders, talk to the the E-4's and E-5's......away from other higher ranking people. Those E-4's & E-5's are MUCH more likely to give you the straight scoop than the other folks.

Brad
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Richard A · Posted: Sat Nov 01, 2008 1:50 am Post subject: Re: military bands

jjohnson · Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 2:30 pm Post subject:

In regards to the moving aspect of military life, I'll just say that the military makes it as easy on you as possible. It's never fun, but they'll send "professional" movers to your place and they pack everything for you, even your garbage if you have it lying around. They leave you with an empty house, you get in the car or on a plane with your horns and head to your new destination. Generally speaking, a month or so later you're in a new area, in a new house/apt. and the movers show up with your stuff. They unpack it all and remove the boxes.

That's the picture. I may be over-simplifying a little but that's pretty much what happens and the military pays for everything. I was in the Navy for eight years so I only moved a few times. Moving every three or four years was one of the best and one of the worst things about military life for me. On the flip side I literally have old friends in almost every corner of the globe. (Although some suck at keeping in touch...ehem!) Moving overseas on Uncle Sam's dime...worth every moment of the eight years I spent! The personal experience you gain and the ability to put international performance experience on your resume? Again, worth EVERY moment.

Just think it through really carefully before you decide to go in. Prepare to take full advantage of the time you will have to work on your axe, pay off your loans, get a free business degree, etc., etc. Anything to keep you active while you're in. For some, it can be easy to become lazy and sit around and complain about how much it sucks to be in the military.

That statement may ruffle some feathers, but it happens and I do wish I had prepared myself for it. That being said, if I could go back in time I wouldn't change a thing!

I'm speaking from my experience in the fleet. The DC Bands are an entirely different animal.

B6L · Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 4:08 pm Post subject:

Message received Jason!
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Freedom lies not in conforming to the world's expectations or even realizing what we take to be our deepest wishes; it lies in following the call in our lives.

jjohnson · Posted: Mon Nov 03, 2008 4:21 pm Post subject:

Hey Nate! I knew you'd get that!