How do you regard musicians in the military? Should they have them?

Rider Pitts — Wed, 10 May 2017 06:15:17 -0400

Considering most, if not every branch, has a band. As in bands that involves instruments from Piccolos to Tubas. This is an opinionated question. Do you believe that bands are necessary? And what is your opinion of the people who are in them?

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made May 10 at 2017 7:18 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Wed, 10 May 2017 07:18:27 -0400

IMHO the bands can be motivational. Can't play Hail to the Chief, to well on a kazoo.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2017 7:50 AM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 May 2017 07:50:58 -0400

I have seen the long work hrs post band members put in every day. They do have a niche to fill, a mission to support. They are hard working, very talented and often misunderstood Soldiers.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2017 8:38 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 May 2017 08:38:27 -0400

They have their place. The thing I have a problem with is the stories you hear like the one from a year or two ago concerning the brand new airman that went from E-1 to E-6 in less time than it takes me to go to the bathroom.

Response by SSgt Dan Montague made May 10 at 2017 9:26 AM

SSgt Dan Montague — Wed, 10 May 2017 09:26:58 -0400

I think the band is a good idea. It helps with morale and it is an old tradition we need to keep.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2017 10:39 AM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 May 2017 10:39:31 -0400

Bands, along with the ceremonies and events they support are part of our traditions as a military service. They have their place.
The men and women in these bands are often quite talented and I know that they put in serious work to maintain and refine their craft, like any of us do.

Response by SN Greg Wright made May 10 at 2017 10:49 AM

SN Greg Wright — Wed, 10 May 2017 10:49:37 -0400

I'm big on tradition (most Sailors are), so any move to be rid of military bands would not be met with my approval. Not that anyone's gonna ask.

Response by SPC Erich Guenther made May 10 at 2017 10:58 AM

SPC Erich Guenther — Wed, 10 May 2017 10:58:28 -0400

I don't know if we need multiple Military Bands per service or One for each Army Post for that matter but I think a Military Band playing marches is always a morale booster and in some cases a sense of pride.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2017 11:14 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 May 2017 11:14:01 -0400

I'd rather have soldiers providing the music at military events than those who aren't. I know they probably get looked down on from some but they shouldn't. They have a gift and they are using it. Some peoples gifts are combat related, some are numbers related, some aren't militarily related at all. That's ok. It takes all kinds of kinds.

Response by MCPO Roger Collins made May 10 at 2017 11:26 AM

MCPO Roger Collins — Wed, 10 May 2017 11:26:23 -0400

How do they help with our lethality? Expensive and unnecessary in my opinion. There are other options available for pomp and circumstances. Bah Humbug! Now to all AD military on staff playing jock.

Response by SFC J Fullerton made May 10 at 2017 11:36 AM

SFC J Fullerton — Wed, 10 May 2017 11:36:16 -0400

What most people don't realize is that it is very difficult to pass the audition to get accepted to enlist for the Army Band. High School band members rarely can pass the audition, if they can get one in the first place. The band liaison usually won't go out of their way to travel to audition someone unless they have a solid resume of musical education and experience beyond high school. Because it is such a small field, they are selective and only the most talented and dedicated career musicians get accepted. For career musicians, it opens a lot of doors to advance their musical careers, so more power to them. Yes, it is an important military tradition and has its place.

Response by SSgt Boyd Welch made May 10 at 2017 11:38 AM

SSgt Boyd Welch — Wed, 10 May 2017 11:38:20 -0400

I see this question the same as why have security since every soldier is a trained warrior. Or why have military cooks. The bands put a face to the military that civilians never or rarely get to see: a unified cohesive whole. Most civilians only see military members while passing through airports or maybe at an airshow. I've heard that bands are expensive and unnecessary. Maybe if we exchanged the cost of abandoned military equipment and a few $500,000,000 Afghani gas stations, they would be economically feasible...just an old guys opinion....

Response by SGT Dave Tracy made May 10 at 2017 11:42 AM

SGT Dave Tracy — Wed, 10 May 2017 11:42:27 -0400

They have their place I suppose. Their historical origins; the "atmosphere" they provide; the relatively low cost PR factor of a military band playing at major functions.

And if the shooting starts, they can still put down the tuba and pick up a rifle...or add a soundtrack to the battle! ;-)

Response by Sgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2017 11:49 AM

Sgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 May 2017 11:49:36 -0400

Rider Pitts Military bands help with morale and pride and are often seen by civilians at parades or other events. Bands members play supporting roles and are necessary. They are part of the team, and it is as simple as that.

Response by CPT Jack Durish made May 10 at 2017 12:19 PM

CPT Jack Durish — Wed, 10 May 2017 12:19:39 -0400

Well, this is deja vu all over again, but I don't mind answering again. Yes, bands serve a useful mission. The help promote morale and morale is often as important as bullets and food to a fighting force. Every successful fighting force has employed music, be it as simple as drums or bagpipes (now there's something that will strike terror into the heart of an enemy, not that bagpipes are terrifying but that they herald the arrival of Scots who are terrifying)

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2017 1:38 PM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 May 2017 13:38:57 -0400

Well at least you have to keep "The President's Own” United States Marine Band. Founded in 1798 by an Act of Congress, the Marine Band is America's oldest continuously active professional musical organization.

Response by SPC John Parmenter made May 10 at 2017 2:51 PM

SPC John Parmenter — Wed, 10 May 2017 14:51:16 -0400

A really good book was published a year ago regarding history of the 298th U.S. Army Band. Interestingly, that unit supported the Post-WW II Potsdam Conference & served in occupied West Berlin longer than any other -- 1945-1994.