Editors note: After several months of talks with the U.S. Army, we’re happy to add SFC Joshua DiStefano as a regular guest blogger to MusicianWages.com.
Josh has played piano as a soldier with the U.S. Army for 14 years and is currently stationed in Belgium as a pianist and arranger with the NATO band. He brings with him a wealth of experience, several tours of duty and the blessings of the U.S. Army to tell us his thoughts on the job. We’re very proud to have him with us.
We’ve asked Josh to write about his Army job in the way that we’ve previously written about cruise ship jobs on our site. We want him to tell us the good, the bad, and all of the details in between. If you have a question about enlisting and working as an Army musician, please post a comment below and we’ll have it sent to Josh. He’s told us that he is really looking forward to hearing from our readers and to answering questions as best he can.
Expect an article from Josh about once a month, as his schedule permits. His first post is below.
Boot Camp and Military Music School
“Get those duffel bags over your heads, Privates!” Barked the Drill Sergeant. A huge intimidating man, with fire in his eyes.
“I don’t want to see any elbows bending! Hey you, straighten out those arms!”
It was about this time that I began to question my decision to join the Army Band.
It wasn’t supposed to be like this. I’d had a plan. Had worked it all out my senior year between exams and keg parties:
I was to going move back to LA and score music for film and television (I did major in film scoring, after all), with a fallback plan of being a rock star.
Upon my return, I’d landed a couple interviews with smaller production companies. They went like so:
Me – “How did you like my demo reel?”
Them – “We weren’t that impressed.”
“Oh.”
“Sorry kid, but we’re looking for someone with a little more experience.”
“If nobody hires me, how can I get any experience?”
“That’s a very good question… well, thanks for stopping by.”
And that was that.
Seeing as my rock band had dissolved, the back-up plan wasn’t looking so hot, either.
I needed a job.
I could have taught school. They were so desperate for teachers at that time, they were hiring anybody with a college degree. I could have hustled for gigs and taught lessons. This was the option of choice for most of my colleagues. I could have walked down the block and gotten a job at In ‘n Out Burger. They do have tasty burgers.
But instead, I enlisted and shipped off.
I left the comfort of my old bedroom (at my mom’s house) and stepped into the great unknown.
I was scared and anxious, all my friends were trying to talk me out of it. I had no cousins or uncles to ask about it. My Dad never served in the Army, and had no war stories for me to fall back on.
All I knew about the Army was what I’d seen on TV. Platoon, Full Metal Jacket (I know they’re Marines, but you see my point), G.I. Joe (the cartoon). Hardly an informed decision.
They promised me I would see the world , jam with amazing players, experience things other folks only dream about…. And they would pay off my student loans!
“I want to go to Japan.” I said.
“How about Alaska?”
“Uhhhhh…. ” stammer stammer. “…sure, just get me out of here.”
Shaved my head, said my goodbyes, drove away in a government car.
Basic Training
“Lift your duffel bags over your heads! Come on Privates, we haven’t got all day! Now drop ‘em!”
Machine gun-like thumps as the 40 pound bags hit the ground.
“Oh, you don’t want to do it together, No team players here. We got us a bunch of individuals! Let’s try it again! Lift ‘em up! Higher Privates, we’re waiting on you! Okay, on three, drop ‘em. One, two… three!”
Thumpity – thump. A far cry from the single unified thud we so desperately wanted to hear.
“If you can’t follow simple instructions, how the hell are you supposed to survive in combat?! You just got your buddy killed!! Now lift ‘em up!!”
This grueling scene repeated for about an hour.
Push ups, running, shouting, no sleep, more shouting, more push ups, less sleep. Meals woofed down in 5 minutes.
It was a long 8 weeks.
My main goal was to be invisible, have the Drill Sergeants not even know my name. I wanted to be a faceless body in the middle of the group. This was not as tough as it sounds. The beauty of Basic Training was that there was always somebody slower, fatter, or someone who had a real problem with authority and was just itching to tell off the Drill Sergeants (I could never understand where these people came from, I mean it’s the Army. What were they expecting?).
I just kept my mouth shut and did what I was told.
Run, shoot, roll in the mud. Counting down the days until it was over, and I was back in music school…
Military Music School
Similar to college, with more yelling, less debauchery, and lots of horn players REALLY into drum corps.
- 5:30 am – Physical Training (read – more push ups)
- 7:30 – Grab your instruments (which meant bass drum or cymbals for me) and march around for an hour, learning all the steps for proper military turns.
- 8:30 – Concert band. Count for 95 bars then hit the triangle. Oh wait, the conductor stopped the band on the 87th bar. Start again from bar 17. Stop. (me struggling to remain conscious). Start again, keep going. Day dreaming, I miss my triangle hit. The conductor stops the band, scolds me. groan.
- 11:30 – Lunch
- 13:00 – Piano lesson, I had two great teachers – both skilled and knowledgeable players. I learned a lot from both of them.
- 14:00 – Combo rehearsal – this was fun. Had a fantastic (but very hard-nosed) guitar player running the show.
- 15:00 – Theory and ear training. Pretty basic stuff.
- Squeeze in a couple hours of mandatory practice time.
- Dinner.
- Sleep.
- Repeat. for. six. months.
Sprinkle in couple urinalyses and the occasional room inspection, and you’ve got some quality Army music training.
On the weekends, I would pound cheeseburgers and pitchers of cheap beer with my classmates. This kept us sane. We were excited to graduate and get to our perspective bands. Sharing what we’d heard about this band versus that one, comparing Basic Training horror stories and college pranks.
And then, one sunny September morning it was official – I was an Army Bandsman.
I packed my things and headed north. Fairbanks, Alaska. I was the new pianist for the 9th Army Band.
It was the best decision I ever made.
The Army Band is better for having this musician in it’s ranks. I served with him,and played music with him. He is a great piano player and loves life and his family most. I would serve with this guy with no question!!!!!!
Good stuff, Josh! Love all of the appropriately placed “groans.”
Wow, great article Josh!
It doesn’t seem quite different than the army band here in Canada – I have a friend doing that (for the great paycheck of course) and he seems to particularly love it.
I would never in a hundred years consider joining an army band…I am possibly the least physical active person on earth and would die at the first day I’m afraid haha!
But it is definately interesting to hear about your experience and read about how things happen for musicians in the army band. That being said, I hope you are having the greatest time in Belgium, it is such a beautiful country!
My boyfriend was just accepted into the Navy band and I did an interview of him on my blog, at http://geraldineinabottle.blogspot.com/2010/07/how-to-work-9-5-as-musician-part-1.html
He has to go to music school, so we really liked the detailed information you gave of it, with the schedule, we had never found that anywhere. Looking forward to hearing more of your adventures in the Army!
Excellent, Josh ! ! I know this guy pretty well. I first met him when he got to his first band (9th Army Band in Alaska) and even served a tour in Iraq with him later on (2006). I can say that, since joining the Army band years ago, he has really come a long way musically. Now, he’s rather well-known in the bandfield, especially with several recording musicians. I have served with many Army musicians over the last 21 years and can honestly say that this gig can really send you far if you want, in addition to being good, steady work that pays decent.
Josh… really dig your writing style. I felt every groan with you. You’re indeed one of the deceptively best piano players I’ve ever worked with and one heck of a person… too bad Mike always got the first-class treatment on our tours together. As strong as you are on piano and composing/arranging, you’ve got a great talent for telling the Army story in a “real” and entertaining fashion. I witnessed it on the road with you, and read it again just now.
For what it’s worth, I think you’d make a really good liaison. Please put in a packet!!! I hope you’re having fun over there in my old stomping grounds in Belgium…send me some “LaVazza (Crema y Gusto)” some time, eh?
The Army needs more Distefano’s
Should have joined the Navy Music Program our piano players play piano…should have advanced out of the Basic Course.
JR, I did look into the Navy Band before I signed up. They (the Navy) would only pay off a portion of my student loans and I would have to enlist for 4 years. The Army offered to pay them off entirely with only a 3 year contract. It was an easy choice for me.
I was a young SGT when SPC Distefano rolled in to the 9th Army Band, “what a punk!” Actually, Josh and I hung out plenty and had plenty of good times rolling in to the barracks in Alaska at 3am.
I’m working at the School of Music now as a trainign developer and I must add that effective 1 OCT 2010 the Army School (not Navy or Marines) is a mere 10 weeks long, not 6 months but at the same location still. Saturday training will be implemented (at least in the mornings). The training is more job specific, the ear trianing and theory is lessened/eliminated for those that ‘get it’. We also completley changed our audition method. An entire class will start and end together unlike the constant turnover experienced previously.
Questions for SSG Bill Holmes:
When do we know how long people will stay in the School of Music for the Navy? And when do we know where they will be on post?
Also, does the Navy School ever hire outside accompanists or teachers? I’m trying to find music jobs in that area to join my boyfriend who will get there in October, but I’m having a hard time even finding places to apply to.
Thanks in advance!
Geraldine
hi. I’m the keyboardist for the 2010 army soldier show. Tour ends in december. I’d like to join the army band. What are the requirements.
SPC Loaiza,
You’ll need to take an audition, if it goes well, you can On-the-Job train at a band, until you can head to off to the school of music.
shoot me an email at josh.distefano@us.army.mil and I’ll get you connected to the right people.
Hi Josh,
My husband is really interested in joining an Army band and I just had a couple of questions that you may be able to answer. Do you audition BEFORE talking to a recruiter? And if you are accepted after your audition, do you get to choose the band you want to be in? Also, how long after being accepted do you wait until Basic Training, and then how long until music school starts? And as a soldier, are you still eligible to be deployed for combat or do you just stay where your band is and where you are stationed?
Thanks a lot!
Hi Caitin,
1. Talk to the recruiter. The recruiter will get you in touch with a band liaison (band recruiter) who will set up your audition.
2. You will get to choose where you are stationed, based on availability of the instrument. For example: Your husband plays guitar and wants to go to Germany. There are not Guitar slots open in Germany at this time. There are however, slots in Korea, Texas, and Virginia. He would get to choose which of those three he wanted to go to. The liaison will explain all of this, and give you the available assignments. Again, this is just an example. I have no idea whether or not guitar slots are currently available in Germany.
3. How long you wait before leaving for Basic Training, should be up to you. I auditioned in Oct, and went to Basic in Jan. I’m sure it’s shorter for some and longer for others. Although, the Army is re-vamping it’s School of Music, so this may affect when you would start Basic. Again, the Liaison would be able to give you the specifics.
4. As a Soldier being deployed is a possibility. Much of this depends on where you are stationed (some bands are more likely to go than others). But you would not be chosen at random, and mailed off by yourself to Afghanistan. The whole band (or several different ensembles from it) would deploy together.
Please remember, that talking to a recruiter or a band liaison in no way obligates you to anything. Until you raise your right hand and take the Oath, you’re just a civilian gathering information.
I hope this helps.
Josh
Thank you so much! That was very helpful and eased my mind. Thank you for the great service you do for our country!
Mr. DiStefano,
Hello! Got a quick question for you…
I am currently enrolled as a full-time college student. After next spring, I have seriously considered auditioning for a military band. My question is this: does having a degree in music performance have any benefits in the military bands? I ask since I’ll essentially be done with the degree after the spring, but will have to wait around doing nothing until fall 2012 to take a class that’s offered every other year to actually graduate. Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Best,
Collin
Hi Collin,
Having a college degree makes a big difference when it comes to promotions.
The promotions are done on a points system, and having a degree will give you are large boost in points over someone straight out of high school.
As far as it being a performance degree all I can tell you is, the better you play the more assignment choices you will have.
I have a question. How much are army band persons paid? What rank do army band persons start at?
Shawn,
Band folks join as specialists (E-4) and get paid based on that rank.
Josh
Quick question, would playing multiple instruments help or change things in anyway, for instance I play guitar and trombone.
Thanks
Josh thank you for posting you exp in the military as a bandsman. My husband is considering joining as a bandsman but we are worried about the audition. My husband is a brilliant gutiar player and has been playing professially for 10 yrs. But he can’t read music very well he plays by ear. And when i say brilliant i mean it i have never meet anyone as talented as him. He can hear something one time and can play it flawless. But due to not being able to really read music do you think he will pass the audition? Thank you for ur time
Kristy in Texas
Brett – depending on which instrument you enlist to play you could get different assignment options, and possibly a bonus if there’s a shortage. Also, playing an additional instrument can add points to your audition score.
Kristy – If your husband is a good as you say I’m sure he will be fine. When I joined, my reading was poor and I managed.
Also, the audition has recently been changed, now the person gets to look at the music for about 40 minutes before they have to play it.
The Army is always on the lookout for talented rhythm section players (guitar, bass, piano, drums), so take the audition. Have a couple of different pieces worked up that really show what he can do, and you should be fine.
Good Luck.
Josh
What are the differences between the branches, I know they all have bands and what not, but what sets each apart if anything?
Thank you
John,
This is a tough question for me to answer, since I’ve only ever been in the Army. I work with some Air Force Band guys at my current job, and I went to music school with the Navy and Marines.
As far as I can tell the gig ( Band member) is pretty similar throughout the services. The differences shine through in the branches themselves. And for that information you’ll need to talk to the different recruiters.
Ask them what you just asked me, and I’m sure each one will have plenty of reasons why their’s is the best.
Happy hunting,
Josh
Hey Josh,
I will be headed to Fairbanks next spring for my first assignment on trumpet. What were some of your experiences in Fairbanks as a musician and how is the jazz scene up there?
Jukabica,
You’ll have a great time in Fairbanks. The band travels quite a bit (since it’s the only Army Band in the State). Lots of outdoor activities. I went canoeing often. Fishing and hunting are very popular as well. The fish tastes better up there than anywhere else in the world. Try the halibut fish and chips with an alaskan amber, trust me.
I gigged regularly with jazz and funk bands. The music scene is small but thriving (the byproduct of being so isolated). Once I was established as knowing what I was doing, the gigs rolled in. No hustling involved.
I know the pianist and the 1SG up there. Both are great guys and amazing players. There are many talented civilian musicians up there as well, and the college has a good music program which draws in more folks.
As long as you can handle the cold, I think you’ll have a blast.
Josh
SSG DiStefano (and/or SSG Holmes and/or anyone who may be able to help!),
This is all wonderful information, thank you for putting it out there. Curious if you have any more knowledge to share on the current audition process (SSG Holmes noted it’s been restructured)–percussion in particular. I’ve read the general audition requirements–any surprises to look out for?
Also, after one requests an audition, how soon (or, how long in the future) could it occur? (I’m curious, mostly, to gauge how I should time the request while I brush up). Are spots for this MOS (and percussion), to your knowledge, very competitive?
I’d value your knowledge and thank you for your time!
Side note: If any reader here has participated in an audition for the US Army Band and would care to share your experience, I know I, and perhaps many others, would appreciate it.
Jack,
Shoot me an email and I will see if I can release the percussion audition form to you to review. It will show you what you are being evaluated on and how each is weighted (perhaps Rudiments are 15% and mallets are 5% and Drum set is 50%)<NOT THE REAL NUMBERS!!! I'm not closely tied to the percussion scene and do not have it memorized. hubert.holmes@us.army.mil
Josh, I'll check to see if we can make them publicly available here? I can't imagine why we can't.
Some current changes to the accessions process: Once you take the audition you are placed on an order of merit list. Let's say 5 Sax players auditioned in the past 3 months or so. Each acquired different passing scores; for simplicity we'll grade them as having a 1,2,3,4,5 with 5 being the best. They did not audition in that order though, we'll say the scores came in as: 3,4,1,5,2.
When a 'slot' or opening occurs in the band field for a saxophone, they will call the person with the highest score first, the 5 and work down the list until someone takes the offer.
So just because you are 'good enough' doesn't necessarily mean you are the best available at this time, but the 5 may have a new teaching job now they love (or fails a drug test, weight etc.) so now the 4 gets asked and so on.
You could be on standby for x months, so don't quit your current gig when you 'pass' the audition.
As far as Basic and AIT (music school) Cycles. There will be 4 cycles a year for our AIT, this means there are basically 4 dates where you can attend basic training so you can graduate and attend AIT immediately thereafter. Translation, there is a much greater chance that there will be other musicians in your basic training company then ever before. And only 4 times a year when you would 'ship' to Basic.
Thus, it could take 6 months from passing an audition to shipping for basic, unlike before when it was much less due to the constant turnover cycle.
OK enough for now, I'm sure more questions will ensue.
Thanks Bill. Great info.
Josh —
It looks like I’ll be following in your footsteps. I passed the audition as a keyboard player in August and signed at MEPS in October. I’m scheduled to land at Ft. Leonard Wood for Basic in January (4 days before my 42nd birthday), go to the School of Music in April, and — if my request stands — Ft. Wainwright will be my first duty station.
When were you there? Is there much going on in Fairbanks, or was most of the gigging action — and opportunities for lessons — in Anchorage? How much solo stuff did you do versus combo work?
SSG Holmes —
My contract says that my class at USAESoM goes for just over 9 weeks, a far cry from the 24 weeks prior to the recent changes. What can I expect with the new schedule?
My concern is this: a keyboard player has to be so versatile, often doing sequencing, recording, and arranging — all of which, I assume, would be involved in achieving a maximum score on the performance evaluation at the end of AIT — as well as being a monster on his/her instrument in all different styles (not to mention playing the percussion while marching), both solo and as part of an ensemble … how does that all fit into 9 weeks?
I look forward to responses from both of you, and I’ll also shoot off an e-mail to the addresses above.
Hey Rick,
Welcome to the team. You can see my response to Jukabiea, (a few posts up) for some additional info on my time in AK. I was there from 97 to 2000. I found plenty of gigs around Fairbanks, just about every weekend. I took piano lessons from a teacher at the university. A heavy Jazz Cat – Barney McClure lives up there, and I think he gives lessons now.
Anchorage is a good 8 hours away, so don’t expect to get down there every weekend. That being said, the band does do gigs down there on a fairly regular basis, so you’ll get to know the city.
I did most of my work with the jazz combo and the rock band. But I still did a fair amount of solo gigs. Many gigs I would do cocktail piano for dinner music followed by a band performance.
Have fun at Leonard Wood. I went to Basic there as well, I don’t miss it at all.
Hello Josh,
Thanks for the great information. I am wondering if you have any advice for me. I just turned 35 on 11/27/2010. I have a performance degree in percussion (strong orchestral, drum corps and drum set background) and do music on the side right now, gigging here and there and teaching private lessons, drumline and conducting percussion ensemble and my church’s hand bell choirs. I work in sales but would love to take one last shot at being a full time musician and have always wanted to join the military. I know Army is my only choice because of my age, but I have 2 hang ups.
1)I am married with 3 kids (10, 8, 5).
2)I am overweight and out of shape. I have lost 50 lbs and regularly work out now, but still have a ways to go. I know I can do it.
Do I have to leave my family behind while enlisted? What is the family dynamic like.
This is something I want, but don’t want to put my family through hell. Any advice? Thanks in advance!
James
Hey James,
I wanted to pop in for a moment and address your concerns about family. A little background: I am an Army brat, as was my father and grandfather.
It is true that the entire family enlists with the soldier. You ask, “How is the family dynamic?” I believe that depends on your family. You must expect to be separated from your family for long stretches of time (even if that does not become a frequent reality). With you away, your spouse will be responsible for all of those things that need to be taken care of at home, and with three children that cannot be easy. She must feel ready to take on the whole of those responsibilities, otherwise resentment may follow.
As for the children, they have another set of challenges. I personally found the frequent moves more challenging than the few separations from my father, and I have heard other military children say the same thing. Again, a very strong home life is needed to navigate the challenges of being uprooted on a regular basis during their social development.
Just some things to think about and perhaps discuss with your partner,
Warm regards,
Jackie
Hey James,
First off, I agree with Jackie that any decisions should be discussed with your wife. Joining the Army is a Huge lifestyle change. But I know many families (including my own) that do quite well with the Army life.
You will have to leave your family behind for Basic Training. This is about 9 weeks. You probably will not be able to bring them to music school as it is now 10 weeks, but they will be able to visit you there.
After that, you’re back together. They will move with you where ever you go.
But please realize that moving is a reality in the Army, and you can expect to move every 2 or 3 years. Some families embrace this and are excited about living somewhere new (and there are many cool places you could end up), others hate the idea of leaving home. Things are harder on the latter group.
There are many support programs on the Posts for spouses and kids. Since everybody lives a somewhat transient lifestyle in the Army, the programs are geared towards helping folks fit in and feel at home.
If you deploy to a combat zone, you will be separated for up to a year. This is hard. It can be done, I have friends going through it right now, but it’s not easy.
All in all, being in the Army is not without it’s challenges, but it’s a great life. I can’t promise you that your family will enjoy it, but I can tell you I’ve know many, many families who love it.
I mean, I live in Belgium, I took my family to France last weekend. There’s no way we could have done that if I was hustling gigs back in L.A.
I hope this helps,
Josh
I see opening for French Horn in the The U.S. Army Ceremonial Band (Perishing’s Own) which I would be qualified to audition for having a Masters in Music French Horn Performance. I’ve worked as professional free-lancer for several years. Qualifications aside…
They list in the audition information that the position (of the type MOS 42S – Sierra) has a “permanent duty assignment” to Fort Meyer in VA. Does this mean I cannot ever be relocated to another base or put out on deployment to a foreign country? I understand there is roughly three-weeks of travel for this position, but I assume that would be touring with the ensemble and not active combat.
Any thoughts appreciated… I come from a non-military family and actually know very little about the structure of the US military and how they work premier bands like Perishin’s Own.
Josh,
Thanks for your clear eye and sense of humor. Its easy to tell you love what you do, but have no illusions about it. That’s the kind of perspective people need. My question: What rank must you achieve before you get your own bedroom if you’re a single guy living on base? Sharing a bathroom, kitchen and living area is no problem, but I would like to have personal space to crash without needing to listen to some other guy snoring (or him having to listen to mine). Thanks again.
Hey PJ – You should really contact someone at Pershing’s Own for a more accurate picture of what goes on there. I can tell you that as a permanent assignment you will not leave there unless YOU choose too. The special bands are a different animal from the rest of the field. Sorry I don’t have more information, but I’d rather you hear it from the source than listen to my speculations.
Good Luck.
Hey Wes – I understand your need for personal space. I would say as a Sergeant (E5) you should get your own bedroom. You’ll join as a E4.
I’ve never had a roommate, When I was an E4 in Alaska there were not that many single Specialists, and we all got our own rooms (with shared bathrooms). When I moved on to Georgia and Texas, I was an E5 and E6 and didn’t have to worry about roommates. Actually, after about 5 years in the Army I moved into my own Apt, and never lived in the barracks again.
But this all depends on where you end up, what their housing situation is like, how many folks are there.
Josh
Hi Josh!
So glad I discovered this blog, there’s so much I can relate to. I play the piano and graduated with a BM in piano performance, and my mom has been pushing me to join the Navy for music. If I did, I was interested in doing classical. I heard about the chamber music type things that are in Washington, D.C., but I’m just not sure. I know you were on the Army side, but can you tell me anything about my situation and what it would look like for me?
Hi John,
Sorry for the lateness of this response, I’ve been traveling for the holidays.
I can’t give you any real answers about the Navy Band. I know all the military band are fairly similar, but you should really contact someone from the Navy for the particulars.
I will tell you in my experience (in the regular bands) Classical playing is limited. I believe the special bands in D.C. are more dedicated to Classical music, but again you’d need to contact them directly.
By the same token, most places I’ve been play to the strength of the players. If you show what you can do, and are working with like minded folks (there’s always a good chance of this) you will get to play what you want (like a chamber ensemble). How much depends greatly on audience demand and/or how much the commander digs what you’re doing.
If all else fails, you’ve always got solo gigs.
I hope this helps.
Josh
Josh – Thank you so much for your service and information! Everything I’ve read has been very useful!
I still have a couple of questions you might be able to answer-
My husband wants to enlist in the Army band as soon as possible (to play guitar). We were given the name of a music liaison with whom we are waiting to hear back from. After my husband talks with him, he will go speak with a recruiter. Do you have any idea the amount of time it will be from when he talks to a recruiter to when he would ship to basic training? After basic training he will go straight to AIT, correct? About how long will it be until we can live together again?
Also, where is he more likely to get stationed for guitar? Will he have several choices?
Basically we want to hurry and get him off to basic training as soon as possible and get the ball rolling!! : )
Thank you again!
Brooke -
My husband is also going through the process. Currently he, his recruiter and SE band liaison are all in communication with one another. He tried to get a hold of the band liaison alone, but was more successful after going to a recruiter (well, actually, a recruiter came to our door, lol). There are a number of variables that could determine how soon he will ship to basic.
The band liaison will do a phone interview first, to gauge your husband’s experience, and then schedule an audition. If he passes the audition he will be placed on a list of priority, essentially (as mentioned by SSG Holmes earlier in this thread). He will be notified when and if a slot opens up. There may be an additional delay to coordinate with the bct/ait schedule. From there, BCT/AIT will be about 19 weeks combined, so you will live separately for about 5 months. Once in AIT, you can visit him and/or move there on your own dime for the 10 or so weeks.
According to the band liaison, there could be a six month gap between a successful audition and BCT… so don’t quit your day job just yet! :)
Good luck!
Jackie
Thank you Jackie!
All of that information is greatly appreciated!
Good luck to you and your husband as well! : )
-Brooke
You’re welcome, Brooke!
I will also suggest checking out which Army bands are located closest to you. Perhaps your husband can schedule a visit, to get a better idea of the environment and level of play, and to speak with current band members.
He could also check in with his recruiter/band liaison to see if any bands are coming to your area soon. Our recruiter called to let us know an Army rock band is playing at a local school soon. That could be a great opportunity to speak one-on-one with members of the band, and perhaps other guitarists! Just something to think about… Jackie
Hey Brooke,
I think Jackie answered most of your questions.
About where you may be stationed… There is currently a shortage of guitar players in the Army, so you probably have a choice of several bands. But any place is as likely as the next.
Good luck to both of your husbands!
Josh
I have been flip-flopping calling in for a while now. I have a BM performance. I’m 25, married, and am currently a Director of music at a local Catholic high school.
The pay isn’t anything amazing here, and being a music teacher really shrinks my opportunity to perform. I was wondering if I could ask some questions.
1.) If I join, will my audition affect how much I will be paid? or is this based on seniority?
2.) Will my wife be able to live with me after BCT is over?
3.)
Sorry, I pressed enter before i finished~
3.) What would living conditions be like after Music school?
4.) If my wife(who is also a musician) were to join, would she be able to be in the same band as me?
I have more questions but these are all that come to mind. I appreciate your answers and commitment to this thread.
~Brian
Real quick answers here:
1 your pay is based on rank and years of service, you would come in as an E4. If you google military pay charts you can find your base pay. Once at your band, you will draw a food allowance ~ 350/mo plus a housing allowance if you live off base and rent/buy. The housing amount varies and is zipcode based.
2. Your wife can live with you after BCT AND Music school ~ 20 weeks total time.
3. Living conditions are good for the average person. If you come from inner cities they are great, if you come from some posh town, not so much… it is definately acceptable no matter where you go.
4. Tricky one. Human resources will try to accommodate this. At lower ranks they suceed quite well, as you get senior in rank they will tend to split you to nearby commands; reason is if one becomes 1SG first sergeant. They should not have a spouse under neath them in rank as it is a conflict of interest.
Hope this helps.
~Bill
Brian,
I think Bill covered most of your questions. I have served with many former music teachers who joined the Army for the exact reasons you mentioned. I have also been stationed will several husband and wife teams. It can be done.
If you have any more questions, fire away.
Josh
First of all this is a great blog, very informative! Thank you for all that you do.
I have a friend who wants to be in a military band for a career and who is 3 classes short of finishing a music degree but doesn’t want to finish because he doesn’t like the school. He instead wants to just be done and graduate with a general studies degree. Do you have any advice for him about the benefits of staying and completing his music degree? Do you think that it is beneficial or is it all based upon the audition? He is under the impression that he can just join at a higher rank and be at the same level as someone with a music degree. I graduated with a music degree but I don’t know enough about the military band scene to really offer valid advice. Any advice you have would be much appreciated!
Hi Sammi,
Your friend won’t gain anything extra by sticking it out for a music degree as opposed to a general studies degree. The benefit that college adds to possible promotion are based solely on credit hours.
Everybody in the band field will join at the same rank -Specialist/E4. Regardless of education.
I hope this helps,
Josh
Sounds great! Thank you for your help, he will be very relieved!
Hi Josh, why don’t you pay us, the military band of the Lebanese Army, a visit here in Beirut, Lebanon.
Hi Lt.
I’d love to come down and meet you guys. Maybe we could do a joint band concert?
Josh
hello: how can i join the army band? i live in Puerto Rico, US
Hi Jose,
Contact Master Sargeant Dan Shannon – daniel.shannon@usarec.army.mil
He’ll get you pointed in the right direction.
Josh
Hi SSgt Josh,
Thanks for your articles, they are very helpful. As you are based in Belgium, where I am from, I was just wondering how life as an army musician was over there? Is it as diverse (musically spoken) as the US or UK army bands? Do they have Jazz, big band, rock, funk ensembles as well or is it just marching music?
Also, as a Belgian, is it possible to join de NATO army band? Is this a particular band?
Sorry for all these questions, but I’m very interested in the subject. Could you eventually send me a link to more info about the subject?
Thanks in advance.
Regards,
Michel Radermecker
Josh, I am a professional musician that is 33 years old and due to the collapse of the economy needs a stable career. I have lost everything. I am being supported by my mother and father now. I have some questions, I am an advanced player and don’t know how grueling the audition is. I don’t know if I should go ahead and wait nad work with my two professors on serious improvisational techniques and styles along with my advanced program of Mastering the Piano by Will Barrow (is online), To make sure that I am totally cool headed and calm and confident when I go in there. I read sheet music like its nothin. I use to be in bands where I would have to come up with runs, breaks, and broken chord progressions to add flavor and fullness to the song when all I was given was a lead sheet with the words and chords. Do they just want you to play chords over and over again like an amateur more or less, or is it something like, Here: 3/4 timing here is 10 chords, play them in a Blues style you have 5 minutes, Go!” I started when I was 3 1/2 and basically read sheet musci and ad lib. Bruce Hornsby, Elton John, Billy joel, Jim Brickman(he’s a jerk by the way, I played with him in Richmond once at the landmark) are mostly what I play like. I am not well versed in Latin style. I was trained on digital keyboards such as the clavinovas, and grand and baby grands. So, I am use to a certain feel of the keys. Please be descriptive as much as you can. I would really appreciate it. I really need to start over and get my life back on track and I know I can do this, I just want to be as prepared as possible. Also, I am a competitive body builder and since I am older I do have injuries that demand certain supplements to stay ahead of the inflammation, bursitis and arthritis. nothing illegal, but definitely mandatory. Syn-flex is used to keep my inflammation down in the knees. It’s what the pro cyclists use. Will they allow me to take my liquid joint complexes to basic and have them with me, as well as my creatine, and vita tabs? Also, will they allow me to work out more than the usual fitness that they do? Like a gym or something there in my free time? Thank you.
Sincerely,
Jayjay
JayJay, if you want to try to join as a piano player, look into as soon as absolutely possible. You have several good things going for you: you can read music well, follow chord progressions, etc. and have lots of background with these genres of music. On the piano side, Josh would be better at giving you further insight. You have mainly one thing going against you: your age. I know these restrictions on age for enlistment, etc are always changing. I want to say perhaps age 35 is the current one, but I’m not sure. I would get with a recruiter (have him/her refer you to a band liaison) and ask many questions. Piano players have just about always been in very high demand. As for the medical stuff, I’d let the recruiter handle that. Once you pass the audition (which I think you will, even now), he/she will do whatever it takes to get you to join.
Hey Josh, so great to read your story.Thank you for your service and Congrats to the latest additions to the family.
Things are good in California, but I do miss the greatest band of all time….. midnight sun of course!
Anyway good luck be safe and have fun following your dreams
Your pal eric
Hey Eric,
Great to hear from you! I agree, Midnight Sun was epic.
Josh