 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: whitebs2
Date: 2010-08-20 00:11
I've already read all the old posts about this, I swear!
I'm considering enlisting in the army, as a clarinet player. Not in a premiere band, but I might be good enough to get in a plain ol' regular army band. I've read all about the basic training and MOS and AIT and all that. I'm interested in the actual experience..
so... how much playing does a CLARINET player play if she plays in a REGULAR army band? Are they more disposable than other instruments, get less gigs, do more paper work, etc? Does the job kinda suck or is it alright?
I am not currently married, but if I make the audition, we're getting married before I go to basic training. I'm the female, he's the male (duh). If you have a dependent, does it make "them" more reluctant to ship you off to a combat zone or places with the-whats-it-called status that Korea has.... or anywhere else one can't (and wouldn't want) to drag loved ones?
My primary source of reluctance is the possibility of getting separated from my darling for MY definition of an extended period of time, ahem, more that 3 weeks (with the exception of basic training, obviously). I know the army has its own vocabulary; I'm not referring to what they defines as an extended period of time.
Is it inevitable, deal with it or don't enlist? Or is it the kind of thing that can be avoided if I play my cards right, and pick the right place off the "list" after auditioning?
I know, soldier first - musician second. I'd really appreciate any insight anyone has to offer...
-bethany
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-08-20 00:28
Check with SFALEXI. He plays clarinet in a "regular" army band.
John Parrette plays in the band at West Point (I believe he;'s the Principal Clarinet there).
There are a number of others....please forgiv e me for not remembering who, exactly.
AEDIT: another thing to consider is that overseas postings are a frequent "given" of the life of a band member. They are much longer than three weeks when you are "over there." Alexi's tours in Iraq lasted several months IIRC.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
Post Edited (2010-08-20 00:31)
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Author: jparrette
Date: 2010-08-20 00:33
Contact your local recruiter, and ask to be put in touch with your regional BAND LIAISON. The recruiter will know who that is. The band liaison can give you an idea of which bands might have openings for your first enlistment.
If you do join and you get married BEFORE you go to basic training, you'll get the tax-free housing allowance for wherever your husband is while you're in basic training and at the school of music. Depending on where he's located, that can be a LOT of money.
I have 23 years in the West Point Band, but limited knowledge of the regular army band program. Feel free to contact me off the board.
John Parrette
CLARION MUSICAL SERVICES
john@clarionmusical.com
914-805-3388
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2010-08-20 00:40
Yup. And I'm in a regular army band, done two tours to Iraq (most recently came back in January 2010), and got married this year. I might be able to answer a few of your questions. Send me an email (click on my name to find it) and I'll give you my assessment so far (about five years in and no less than fifteen left cause I'm a "lifer").
Alexi
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Author: Brianj
Date: 2010-08-20 02:23
You can also email me at brickbinder@gmail.com. I just retired after 21 years in the Army as a clarinet player and recruiter and I will give you the real scoop on everything and who to contact to set up an audition. It is a great job.
SSG(ret) Brian Jungen
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-08-20 10:20
But to answer your core question, YES you will be separated from your significant other for a year's time either when stationed in Korea (a one year "hardship" tour) or at a deployable unit (there are a number of those) while you are deployed.
The good news is that the Army bands PLAY MUSIC mostly, even deployed. And there have never been any Army Band casualties of war, save for one saxophonist who was grazed in the face by a stray bullet. We DON'T do any combat missions or anything close to that, MUSIC IS the mission.
...................Paul Aviles
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2010-08-20 16:27
I was in a Special Band (West Point) and found the music part enjoyable.
What I found very unenjoyable was being under the command of people who SERIOUSLY cared about how shiny your shoes were, how short your hair was and how well you fit their ideas of patriotism.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-08-20 19:37
Ken makes an interesting point.
The Army, if nothing else is a lesson in people skills and commitment. Basic training (only two months long.....give or take) WILL change you. From your first assignment on, (whether only one enlistment or 20 years) will change you. I can't say that it is for everybody, but it will make you more flexible and more patient out in "the real world."
I had two complete breaks in service (first one of two years and the next of five years) and the petty middle management issues one encounters in almost every standard job become walks in the park after serving your country.
...................good luck; see ya soon !!!!! :-)
....................Paul Aviles
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