Posted on Jun 27, 2016
Where do you stand on the topic of cutting military bands?
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Seeing a small storm of media coverage recently on the debate over keeping military bands funded amongst the increasingly tight DoD budget. I personally see a tremendous amount of value from a morale and welfare standpoint. Let alone, the recruitment and retention value of having bands on site for major events and important ceremonies.
Where do you stand on the issue of cutting these official military bands?
Military Times Article: http://militari.ly/295mGx9
Where do you stand on the issue of cutting these official military bands?
Military Times Article: http://militari.ly/295mGx9
35BX: Band
42S: Special Army Band Musican
MWR
DoD
Posted 8 y ago
Responses: 19
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Band members do more than just play music. When I went to Kuwait/Iraq, the main mission for the V Corps Band was security detail for the V Corps Rear CP. After their main duties they found time to practice. They did gigs ever so often and it was fantastic, just ask any soldier who was there. After we moved north, and finally settled on Victory Base, they ended up going out to all the small FOBs and outposts doing gigs. I bet those troops enjoyed it as well. While on Victory Base they also pulled security detail on the guard towers and such. So besides music they do much more. And as @CPT Jack Durish stated, civilians will never understand the value of a band. The attached is a pic of the 76th Army Band (V Corps) doing a concert on Victory Base.
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I see no value in cutting military bands. From a Marine perspective, they are still required to go through all the same training and quals we do, so if I have to take the trombone away and put a rifle in his hand, he's just as proficient with it as anyone else.
Personally I've always loved the bands. I love the Silent Drill teams. They really make you feel good about your branch like you said, it's a real morale booster. Yes there's a lot of pomp and circumstance with ceremonies and retirements etc. But this is the backbone of our branches. The customs and courtesies and traditions we pass down.
Even if we just cut the bands across the board... what are we going to do then... increase the number of aircraft mechanics for 30+ year old aircraft that are slowly being phased out anyways...
Keep the bands... like I said, put a rifle in their hands and they are just as good as the next Marine I'm fighting beside.
Personally I've always loved the bands. I love the Silent Drill teams. They really make you feel good about your branch like you said, it's a real morale booster. Yes there's a lot of pomp and circumstance with ceremonies and retirements etc. But this is the backbone of our branches. The customs and courtesies and traditions we pass down.
Even if we just cut the bands across the board... what are we going to do then... increase the number of aircraft mechanics for 30+ year old aircraft that are slowly being phased out anyways...
Keep the bands... like I said, put a rifle in their hands and they are just as good as the next Marine I'm fighting beside.
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PO1 Gene Barfield
I am so grateful for your personal testimony about a subject often debated: is a military band member just a musician in an expensive costume, or are they a real soldier, sailor, Marine, Coast Guardsman or airman who has another valued skill to add to their fighting capabilities? Your statement about the proficiency of Marine musicians as Marines ends the debate.
I spent enough time at sea in the Navy to know as much as any other sailor about the drudgery, the sweat, the loneliness. That band on the pier when we FINALLY arrived back home was the sweetest sound. Carried over the water as we came alongside, it was proof that my fellow sailors, our families, my Navy and my country was glad to see me come home.
I spent enough time at sea in the Navy to know as much as any other sailor about the drudgery, the sweat, the loneliness. That band on the pier when we FINALLY arrived back home was the sweetest sound. Carried over the water as we came alongside, it was proof that my fellow sailors, our families, my Navy and my country was glad to see me come home.
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Cpl Justin Goolsby
PO1 Gene Barfield - Thank you and you bring up a valid point. There is a lot of drudgery in what we do. But I know when I hear the band playing, I might stand up a little straighter because you can feel the burden coming off your shoulders. Morale plays an important factor in troop welfare.
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Capt Brandon Charters Sir, the money spent on the military bands is a drop in the bucket. I love military bands and do not want them cut for budget reasons.
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