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Re: US Navy Band Clarinet Audition

Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2020-07-14 22:24

In the band program of any service, you are soldier, sailor, soldier, airman first.

What does that mean.

Most importantly it means that you can be expected to do, and often are asked to do the regular work of your service's enlisted grade instead of musical duties. That isn't all bad though. You'll do things and go places that can wind up more rewarding that you could imagine.......but it may not be a band related memory.

The other important difference is promotion.......and not just where you start in rank (much higher in the D.C. bands and academies). The rank structure in the D.C. bands is mostly 'time in service.' The older folk are the highest ranking; when they retire, you move up. So you cannot 'work your way up.' The standard bandsman by contrast is in competition with other bandsmen in terms of musical ability and "soldiering" skills. So it sounds fairer to think that you can work extra hard and have the rewarded. The problem is that everyone does that, and you can wind up stalling out (a current issue with US Army bandsmen) as far as promotion is concerned.

I served 20 in the standard Army Band program and wouldn't have changed a thing. It was a great experience. Though when you're gig is just music, that's pretty cool too.

................Paul Aviles

P.S. Ken, that guy should have been sent back to basic! No one salutes the enlisted!!!

Post Edited (2020-07-14 22:25)

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