What do they do for the military? Do they fight? Do they get paid? Are they outsourced musicians or are they actually part of the military? Also, why?
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I was in the Army Band for 12 years, the most fun job I ever had.
We have to go through basic training, and all the same qualifications that any other soldier would. Qualify on rifle once a year, common task testing, all that fun stuff.
The musical missions were of many different kinds: ceremonial music for military ceremonies like graduations and change of commands; concerts for important events like the post Fourth of July; and parades and concerts in the civilian community to spread awareness and good will. A lot depended on where the band is located too. For example, I did two years in Germany where we played jazz and popular music at small town festivals almost every weekend. At a training post in the US, I did 2-4 graduation ceremonies every week.
When not playing music, we were responsible for everything else that goes on in a company sized unit. Where most units have a supply sergeant and admin people, bands don’t – the band members do all that as well. I’ve been a supply sergeant for a band, and the unit IT specialist, and leaned all about personnel administration.
When there’s a war, if the band is part of a Division, the band’s primary mission is division headquarters security, and POW processing. In places like Iraq and Afghanistan, we also did a lot of morale music, sending small music units out to play for soldiers in other areas.
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