How do you regard musicians in the military? Should they have them?

I have seen the long work hrs post band members put in every day. They do have a niche to fill, a mission to support. They are hard working, very talented and often misunderstood Soldiers.

IMHO the bands can be motivational. Can't play Hail to the Chief, to well on a kazoo.

Well, this is deja vu all over again, but I don't mind answering again. Yes, bands serve a useful mission. The help promote morale and morale is often as important as bullets and food to a fighting force. Every successful fighting force has employed music, be it as simple as drums or bagpipes (now there's something that will strike terror into the heart of an enemy, not that bagpipes are terrifying but that they herald the arrival of Scots who are terrifying)

What most people don't realize is that it is very difficult to pass the audition to get accepted to enlist for the Army Band. High School band members rarely can pass the audition, if they can get one in the first place. The band liaison usually won't go out of their way to travel to audition someone unless they have a solid resume of musical education and experience beyond high school. Because it is such a small field, they are selective and only the most talented and dedicated career musicians get accepted. For career musicians, it opens a lot of doors to advance their musical careers, so more power to them. Yes, it is an important military tradition and has its place.

I see this question the same as why have security since every soldier is a trained warrior. Or why have military cooks. The bands put a face to the military that civilians never or rarely get to see: a unified cohesive whole. Most civilians only see military members while passing through airports or maybe at an airshow. I've heard that bands are expensive and unnecessary. Maybe if we exchanged the cost of abandoned military equipment and a few $500,000,000 Afghani gas stations, they would be economically feasible...just an old guys opinion....

I'd rather have soldiers providing the music at military events than those who aren't. I know they probably get looked down on from some but they shouldn't. They have a gift and they are using it. Some peoples gifts are combat related, some are numbers related, some aren't militarily related at all. That's ok. It takes all kinds of kinds.

I'm big on tradition (most Sailors are), so any move to be rid of military bands would not be met with my approval. Not that anyone's gonna ask.

I think the band is a good idea. It helps with morale and it is an old tradition we need to keep.

Well at least you have to keep "The President's Own” United States Marine Band. Founded in 1798 by an Act of Congress, the Marine Band is America's oldest continuously active professional musical organization.

Rider Pitts Military bands help with morale and pride and are often seen by civilians at parades or other events. Bands members play supporting roles and are necessary. They are part of the team, and it is as simple as that.