Is it possible to get promoted this quickly in the Air Force? Is this typical for band members?

It's no different with Pershing's own, which has their members join at SSG. Heck, even the regular Army Bands (small and medium sized) come in as Specialists. The best way that I can break this down for you is this: We in the Army Bands all had to audition for a slot, not just enlist into one. We had to hone our skills for over a decade before we could even be considered for a 42R or 42S slot (I came into the Army as a PFC. I had been playing clarinet for 13 years and had spent thousands of dollars on lessons, instruments, and countless hours in the practice room). Every single person in my unit *wants* to be there. Every single person in my unit is a professional musician. Allowing bandsmen- especially those in the special bands- to come in as a E6 is a form of compensation for the literal years it took to hone that skill. We are one of the smallest MOSs in the Army, yet we have one of the biggest home side missions. If she's good enough to get into a special band, then she's earned it.

If you have any complaints, Join the band. and Get you some

While it is comparing apples to oranges, the 18X program is similar...to a degree. Once the Soldier finishes Q course, they get promoted to Sergeant and then SSG once they go to ALC, but it is a much longer process. Is it the right way to do business for the Air Force? I don't know for sure, but since I feel I know a little about leadership, I think I am a qualified to chime in. I truly believe she will never be a leader until she develops the skills and is properly mentored, so she will be a TSgt for a long time. She has proven she knows how to sing and is technically good at it, so hence the advanced rank. Does it make it right, especially for all of those who have been toiling to pass a test for years? Not sure, but it all boils down to a job and what the Air Force is willing to pay her.

Quit trying to take a bite of someone elses cookie. Go earn your own cookie and enjoy it! This is a term i call the army cookie syndrome someone else who is acting childish when they see someone else get the cookie and they want to take their cookie away rather than earn their own! SGT. Fox, Ryan US Army

They are always certain specialized fields in the Military that have a faster advancement system than the rest of us. In the Navy it was the Nuclear Community. Always got a kick out of seeing an E-7 with only 2 hash marks.

If you don't want this then don't have a band. If you are the best then they make you lead vocalist. She will lead by example. She turned down fame to perform solely for our service members. You can try and fill her shoes but you are simply not capable.

So if I understand this right, band members are special and get to rank up like that because most musicians of their caliber (lol) wouldn't join if they had to start from the bottom and work their way up like everyone else, but not to worry, they don't have authority outside of band... eh, I would say this is still outrageous and I question the necessity of a taxpayer-funded band. With all this outrage about weekly stolen valor incidents, you'd think more people would raise eyebrows at fake airmen playing dress-up while taking home E-6+ pay every month. I know they're here to entertain deployed, high ops tempo soldiers but they didn't have to present themselves as real sergeants, that's just in poor taste. God help us all if they're allowed to reclass AND keep their rank.

It's been many years since I spoke with Marine band members, but they too received rank quickly. Of course some of the members were recruited from quality music schools for the purpose of their talent. And when they perform publicly, they bring in support and resources. I haven't been to an Air show that didn't rake in hundreds of thousands for the venue. The Marine band as with any military band are used in various capacities including promotion of the organization. I'm curious when the branches decide on how many of a particular rank they can promote that year, does it include these folks? BTW, the band members I spoke with, many who were E-5 or better, respected us more so for our service to our country. As for the pay, just like any other military organization, there is equipment upkeep, practice, hurry up and wait, being on the road for extended periods away from their family and friends as well, etc. Our group came in Saturday for a morning parade through town, an evening performance in the park and then another morning parade in an adjoining town. At one point a surprised shower popping up. There was no per diem for this weekend. Of course they didn't pay for the hotel and meals, as the service organizations put together spaghetti dinners and box lunches and such.

I once recently read an article regarding the reason why people pick up these rapid promotions especially in situations like members of the President's Own band. These are civilians who play for philharmonic orchestras and are normally paid well in the civilian world. The only way to get them to joins such military bands, the have to give them higher pay so the can come on board. They are put through an excelarated military boot camp and sign a contract which limits them to that particular MOS. That said, they don't affect the boots on the ground so I say let it be.

There seems to be a lot of confusion regarding military musicianship. There is a very specific reason she is an E-6 at the age of 19. As a former military bandsman, please allow me to share my knowledge of the field.

For the Air Force, and special bands in the Army and Marine Corps, auditions occur before someone even enlists. They must audition for a specific spot (instrument or voice), and often they compete with other musicians. Even those already in the traditional band field must audition separately for special bands (such as Pershing's Own for the Army, the President's Own for the Marine Corps, and apparently Max Impact for the Air Force). The deal is, if one passes the audition phase, they will be offered the position; should they accept, they will begin a new contract in which they enlist as an E-6, must maintain height/weight and PT standards for their respective service (among other things), and understand that their purpose is for morale and ceremony ONLY. Those bands do not deploy for combat purposes, participate in field exercises, or do any of the things regular soldiers/airmen/marines/sailors are typically required. The biggest qualification: YOU MUST ALREADY KNOW HOW TO DO YOUR JOB. You must already have all the training to perform your craft, save for workshops and whatnot. It requires years of honing your knowledge and skills, before you even get to the point of auditioning. Many auditionees hold undergraduate degrees in music performance, and often even higher levels than that. THAT is why they can be E-6s from the get-go; the service doesn't have to teach them the basic skills of their jobs and they are expected to hold a maturity level above your standard service member.