Playing Trumpet in the Military or something....?

Hi! I heard about a band instructor who played trumpet in the Military band and got to travel all over the world. I was wondering, how good do you have to be, what education do you need, do you get paid, and how old must you be? Thank you very oh-so-very much!


Kia

Playing Trumpet in the Military or something....?
Well to play an instrument in the Army, you have a 'try out' and if you get 'selected', you then go on to basic training, and AIT. The band can go pretty much anywhere.


Usually not bad working hours.. Though you may have to play on the big holidays... like xmas.. That's not everyplace you go..


My friends wife is in the Army band and has been for over 10 years now.. She loves it. She has seen the whole world for the most part!





Good luck.. It's def. worth looking into!!!
Reply:This info is for "The Army Band"





Eligibility


Applicants must meet all standards to enlist in the Armed Forces. All applicants must have U.S. citizenship due to a security clearance requirement.





Acceptance of a position requires a minimum three-year enlistment in the United States Army.





Effective 6 January 2006: Individuals must enlist and begin Initial Entry Training (IET), formerly known as Basic Combat Training, prior to their 42nd birthday.





Auditioning


The U.S. Army Band conducts competitive auditions only for actual vacancies. The audition may include the performance of a prepared solo, excerpts, and sight-reading.





Applicants will be expected to pass the Army’s physical examination and meet other standards required to enlist in the Armed Forces. Military applicants must submit an Enlisted Records Brief (ERB) or equivalent and a Commander’s letter of intent.





Effective January 6, 2006 individuals must enlist and begin Initial Entry Training (IET), formerly known as Basic Combat Training, prior to their 42nd birthday.





Benefits


Members of the band are given the Military Occupational Specialty (MOS) of 42S (forty-two sierra), “Musician” (formerly Special Band Member). Personnel are promoted to the grade of Staff Sergeant (E-6) upon completion of four-months of active-duty service and enjoy full military benefits, including medical and dental care; 30-days paid vacation each year; a permanent assignment to Fort Myer; and educational benefits such as the College Loan Repayment Program (up to $65,000).





Annual starting salary for a Staff Sergeant is: $46,141 (no dependents) and $52,332 (w/dependents).





For more information about Initial Entry Training and Army enlistment requirements, visit goarmy.com.





http://www.usarmyband.com
Reply:Yup...most of the question was answered by the previous poster. About the only thing he missed was whether or not you get paid...and the answer to that is...yes. You do get paid. The band members are still soldiers, and as such, they follow the same payscale as every other soldier. The pay charts are listed on www.dfas.mil. The age requirements would be the same as the rest of the army also, I would imagine. 17 through 35 I think is the age bracket for initial enlistment.
Reply:we are talking Professional Level Musicians here.. MINIMUM \Bachelor's degrees and to be really competitive, a Masters degree in Performance. you have to first convince them to grant you an audition before you can even begin the process.





all other military rules and regs apply as far as age and such.
Reply:Another cool thing is, you automatically get bumped to E4 specialist. I went to BCT with a guy that was going into the Army Band, and he was paid E4 the whole time, a 17 year old E4. He said it's harder to get promoted in that field though (so he was told) so expected to stay an E4 for a while.
Reply:All branches of the military have bands. You will need to interview to see if you have the skills you need. Promotions are slow but you get to do lots of traveling.