Jeremy Bender
Platinum Member
Actually, there will probably be some serious competition going on for this coveted seat... https://www.facebook.com/usnavyband...11146183395/10154376717273396/?type=3&theater
Actually, there will probably be some serious competition going on for this coveted seat...
Oh, yeah. Our sound guy served 20 years in the USAF at the Air Force Academy. It's not as if you can joing the Air Force, Army, or Navy, and, because you play an instrument, think you'll try to get a band slot. No. Our guy had a degree in audio engineering, yet still had to interview, then get selected for the slot, BEFORE he could enlist in the AF. But, sure, a great gig if you can get it. He served 20 years as a sound guy(!), although his official specialty code was "clarinetist" (he is also a woodwind player). He is now retired from the AF and still doing what he loves.
A lot depends on your CO. Lowell Graham, former conductor of the main Air Force band in DC, was a complete douche
I spend 20 years in the Navy and actually lived in the same barracks as some of the members of the band in Pearl Harbor. My take away after talking to them is that if you don't have a degree, don't bother. You have to be a multi-instrumentalist that can sight read on a number of instruments. I think even the percussionists had to be able to play other instruments. Pretty cake job, and as mentioned if you have a degree and join you come in at a much higher rank.
Most of them do have a degree, but you don't need to be able to play multiple instruments. Many drummers go there and can only play percussion (excluding piano, xylophone, et cetera). Many can only play snare, bass drum, tenor drum, or drum kit.
Yeah versatility is really the key. Selectees may play tympani one night in the concert band and drumset in a pop/rock band the next. During my 20 year Air Force career, I served as a recruiter for a few years and sent a few applicants down to McGuire AFB for auditions. Drumset only players who can't sight read anything put in front of them need not apply.
... as compared to the 12 months of training it took a fighter pilot to train for his job.
Not quite true...I received my pilot's training in the USAF. Basic Undergaduate Pilot Training (UPT) is one year long. Pilots selected for fighter slots then go through Fighter Lead-In training (which is about two months) where they fly the same jet they were flying in UPT but learn basic fighter skills. Then, they go to learn to fly the specific jet to which they are assigned (not sure how long it is these days, but it could range from 3-6 months). When they leave there, they are only "basically" qualified in the equipment, i.e. Certified by the Air Force to safely operate the jet. There's still weapon quals and absorbing a lot of information from the "old heads" in the squadron.