Can you enter any branch of the military and go directly into the military band (after Basic, I presume)?

Question

What qualifications do you need? I am asking on behalf of my niece who took and participated in several music courses, choirs, and bands throughout high school. She plays multiple instruments and is an accomplished singer and dancer. She is very good, but her grades weren't good enough to qualify for a scholarship...not bad...just not great. Her family does not have the money to send her to college to get her degree in music. I know the military will help her get the college credits AND she can use the discipline it will instill in her. Any thoughts? Any cautions on recruiter promises, etc.?

Answer 1

Jimmy B (my father) and several others hit it right on the money, with a few exceptions. Here's the complete low-down:

The Army Bands program works slightly differently than many of the other MOS's (Military Occupational Specialty) in the Army. First of all, she'll be classified as a "42R", signifying she is a bandsman. From there, she will receive a seperate identifier, specifying which instrument she plays. The current list of instrumental choices can be found at the site my father listed. However, some of those instruments may be eliminated from the band field in a few months. If she plays the oboe or basoon, start looking at other options. Keep in mind, there is no position as an "Army Bands Vocalist".... yet. (these changes may take affect as fast as within a year and are not publicly announced)

Here's what'll happen when she goes to the recruiter. If it strays in the slightest, your recruiter is trying to 'sucker' her in:
First, she'll have to answer a bunch of questions such as if she has any traffic violations, criminal record, drug use, ect. Next, the recruiter will setup an appointment with an Army Bands Liason. This normally happens at the nearest (active) Army installation. There, she'll take an audition on her instrument where she must score at least a 2.3 out of a 4.0 scale. Next, she'll have to take what's known as the ASVAB test and go through a medical screening. Her taking the test does _not_ mean she has enlisted. After all that is complete, she'll sign her contract, which will specify she's enlisting as an army bandsman, as well as that she's slotted to attend the US Army Element School of Music (USAESOM) in Norfolk Virginia (after basic training). If your recruiter tries making her sign a contract _before_ she takes the ASVAB or audition's, the recuiter is wrong. Find another one ASAP.

Once she has completed Basic Training and shows up to Advanced Training (in Virginia), she'll take yet another audition. She _has_ to get at least a 2.3 on her audition. They'll then enroll her into the school where she'll take two more auditions throughout the school's length, 6 months. There, they'll instruct her on her instrument to progress her skills. The next audition she takes, she'll be required to get at least a 2.5. The last audition's requirement is 2.7. If she fails to meet these requirements, the army has the ability to drop her from training and stick her in a different job in the Army. She'll still have to finish out the time left on her contract.

The school is rather forgiving and tries their best to work with the students. If there is no progress, however, expect her to be dropped. I suggest not sending her into the bands program if she gets any lower than 2.45 on her audition with the bands liason. 2 months off the horn could make her drop below that 2.3 level she needs. You may go back at anytime to reaudition before she enlists. Just have her practice some more if she doesn't get that score before joining the Army.

This process is the same for Marines and for Squids (aka Navy). The Air Force has their own seperate screening process; one that I'm not fully familiar with. The Air Force typically has higher standards for their band program.

Most high school students who wish to pursue music in college can score at least a 2.5 on their 'incoming' audition. Most people who have a college degree in music performance or education can score around a 3.0. Just to give you an idea of what a '2.5' and '3.0' constitutes.

There are 4 different types of bands in the Army Bands Program. You have AG Bands, Division Bands, MACOM Bands, and Special Bands. Special bands have a completely different screening process. One I'm intimately familiar with, but will not get into. Make sure she's _not_ auditioning for this type of band unless she's a monster on her instrument (most people with Doctorates in Music cannot make it into one of these groups).

The other 3 bands all fall in the same category. If you manage to get a score of over 3.0, you'll be eligible for a MACOM band. Keep in mind, I said eligible, not definate (I have a score of 3.2 and am at a Division Band). MACOM Bands don't deploy. The other two are those with scores of 2.7 and up. AG Bands don't deploy either. Those are bands that are stationed at training camps, to do ceremonies for graduating Army folks (from basic training, advanced training, ect). Division Bands deploy. if she ends up in a Division Band, you're looking at a world of things. I've been deployed several times to Iraq. Yes, we play some music while deployed. Further, we guard the Commanding Generals, run Post Security for our camp, go on combat patrols, ect. She'll learn these skills well before being deployed, so she'll know how to handle these types of situations.

While not deployed, she'll find a life of constantly playing music, whether it be a ceremony, parade, or a random party (like playing a half-time show with the Tennessee Titans). The work environment is non-stressful. There is ample time and opportunity for her to go to college (at the army's expense) and pursue a degree of her choice. Even if she decides to not take advantage of going to college while in the Army, she'll have college credits for just being in the military (Basic Training alone is worth ~9 credit hours... USAESOM is worth around the same, and transferrable to nearly any college).

So there's your lowdown on the Army Bands program. Again, Marines and Squids have the same process. Air Force does not. Furthermore, if she chooses the life of a reservist, the screening process changes. She will _not_ attend USAESOM. Instead, after basic training, she'll go straight to her actual band and they'll train her up on-the-fly. Again, she'll be required that 2.3 score from the band liason before joining the Army.

Oh, one more clarification: ALL branches of the service have bands that deploy. The Navy is not exempt from being sent overseas or being stationed on a ship.

If you have any further questions on the Army Bands Program, feel free to contact me via e-mail ([e-mail]). I'll be more than glad to inform you of everything I can, as well as research what I don't.

Best luck to your Niece!
SGT William J Batten
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)

Answer 2

The smaller the branch the harder it is to enter. It is really that simple. They need fewer people and the two smallest both have excellent reputations so they can be extraordinarily picky. The CG is by far the hardest, followed by the Marines, then the AF and Navy and last the Army. We (Army) have the largest force structure so we have more slots and thus we have to except some that others would not. That doesn't mean the Army is less professional or stocked with dummies. Keep in mind that most of today's youths can't meet our standards! They lack the education or they have moral issues. America has about a 70% HS graduation rate, yet the Army HS diploma holders represent about 98%. And that 2% that have a GED, also have some college. Your mother had it almost exactly backwards.

Answer 3

Yes, you can enlist as a bandsman and enter as a musician. Your niece will have to audition prior to enlisting (make sure she has done this and has been accepted as a musician prior to signing anything). After basics or boot camp, she will then enter the military school of music in Norfolk, VA. (doesn't matter which branch she signs with) It's not quite as easy as one may think. They have high expectations of their students, and there are quite a few drop outs. From there she will be assigned to a unit somewhere. There are different levels of military bands, and many locations she could end up at. It pays to try and work some of that into the enlistment agreement.
I suggest checking out http://bands.army.mil for an idea of what to expect. Note: Just because you're a bandsman does not mean you only play an instrument. If you get sent to a battle area all bets are off.

Answer 4

The Army band is really good. My friend's husband is in the Army Band and he has done so much traveling and seen so many things, and best of all he's getting paid to do something he actually enjoys. Keep in mind though that they do have other duties, sometimes they have to do guard duty or paperwork, and yes, can be deployed. As far as recruiters, if they sound like they are bullsh*tting, they probably are. And if a recruiter promises you that you won't be sent to a certain location or that you can have the location of your choice, don't believe him. He ultimately has no say in that, it will be determined when the person is going through Basic and AIT. Your niece can even take classes while she is still in the Army, in fact they encourage it. Even if she were to get stationed in Europe, they have education centers where you can take some classes and others can be taken on-line.
Don't forget, she needs to take the ASVAB, it's best to do it before you even talk to the recruiter, but if she hasn't taken it by then the recruiter will make the arrangements for her to take it.

Answer 5

Yes. All she has to do is go to her nearest recruiting station and tell them that she wants to be in the band. The navy band is pretty good, and they never have to go on sea duty. I know the rating for that is MU. If she's set on being in the band, don't let the recruiter try to talk her into joining as an undesignated recruit and then striking for that job after boot camp. I'm pretty sure you can specify in your contract that you'll join just to be in the band.

Answer 6

I know you can enlist in to a reserve or national guard band unit. I assume you can enlist in to the regular army and go right into the band.

Be advised that the band Deploys! I was in the 4th Infantry Division in Iraq, and who guarded the base parameter, the Division Band. They are trained Soldiers as well as musicians.

Answer 7

In the Army you can get a guaranteed spot in the band. I work in a Division headquarters doing unit status reporting, and I can tell you that the army is very short of Clarinetists. We haven't had one in the 4 years I have been here.

Answer 8

You have to audition for military bands. It could take a year or more to get in. Very competitive. lots of work and talented high school kids are a dime a dozen. She should go for it but be ready fo the competition.

Answer 9

a talented person can enlist into a band unit. my hometown even has a national guard band unit. in the national guard state college tuition is free. if you want e-mail me for more info.

Answer 10

If you don't understand a question, DON'T ANSWER IT! How hard is that to do?