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

Yes, Col Dondi Coatin is an AF Chaplain that was stationed at Hickam and was promoted to Maj Gen.

Everything is political anymore NOT how hard you work or how dedicated you are.

This is an extraordinary circumstance. Most men and women who enter a premier band hold a master's degree and prior professional experience. The auditions are highly competitive and may generally attract 50 candidates. I should note that only a handful of these bands exist (most people enter as E-3 or E-4.) Perhaps the rank would be better suited as a warrant officer 1 or "Specialist 6" (which no longer exists, maybe they should bring it back). In terms of $$, the bands make up a tiny, tiny portion of the defense budget. For instance, the annual budget of a premier band falls in line with perhaps the cost of 2-3 tomahawk missiles.

The bands are the face of the military. It's what the civilian will see. I have attended many of the concerts the bands hold and they are consistently packed. I was a National Guard bandsman, and when I was in I played at Veterans hospitals, concert halls, outdoor venues, and in high schools. When we traveled there was a recruiter on hand (as appropriate). Premier groups do some big time gigs. They play for heads of state, for funerals of war veterans at Arlington cemetery as well as former presidents. Those bands tour nationally.

It's not typical for band members to start at E-6 - to answer the original post. The original post reflects a great deal of misunderstanding of the military musician programs. While the perks vary among the different branches, musicians in the Army Reserve and Active Army start at E-3. Soldiers successfully pass Basic Combat Training and get accelerated promotion to E-4 providing they maintain physical standards.

In the Army, you might be assigned to a Traditional Army Band, such as Fort Leonard Wood's 399th Army Band. When the band goes on block leave, an Army Reserve Band may travel to Missouri to handle the ceremonial missions and other activities, such as area concerts.

Anyone, including service members in a regular band, can audition for the special bands.

Each branch of the service has special bands. Max Impact is one of the special bands within the The U.S. Air Force Band. The Army has Pershing's Own, The Marines have The President's Own, then there's The United States Navy Band, The U.S. Air Force Band, and The U.S. Coast Guard Band. THOSE bands have accelerated promotions and other benefits, such as no entry training for the Marines and Coast Guard. The Army attends Basic Combat Training, and I'm pretty sure the Navy does, too. HOWEVER, all musicians must pass an audition that demonstrates their ability to perform and most of them sign a 4-year contract. The bottom line is that military has jobs requiring civilian-acquired skills.

If you really think military bands are a waste of the military's time and resources, I will not argue the point - I did that for 20 years as a musician in the Army Reserve. The best individuals qualified to handle that are the Generals and Admirals. If you get the chance to ask them at an event, like a Family Day, ask them what the impact would be if someone took his/her band away. I'm sure you'd get an earful of understanding - especially since if military band is working during the event.

Here's my bottom line: as someone that served for 20 years in the USAR, with 1 year active as a gate guard after Sept 11th, I respect all members of all branches that I didn't have when I first joined the military. I know there are long days, people get moved around, promotions can be scarce, and it can be a very tough life. I can understand the aggravation that other units have when they see how relatively easy it is for those in the garrison - especially musicians. Just keep in mind that we're relatively few in number and we make an impact since live music is part of our country's great military tradition.

Thank you for your service,

Peter Marshall,
SSG (Ret.)
USAR

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Sure seems to be a lot of jealousy here. This in not some new program. They were doing it when I joined in the mid sixties. They give even higher starting ranks to nurses, lawyers, chaplains, and all sorts of people in the medical professions. By the way of thinking that many here seem to have we should also be able to fill those jobs with an E1 and let them earn their rank the same as everyone else. Of course EVERYONE else doesn't do it either. I have seen many promoted with double waivers on TIG and TIS and many of the old timers resented them too. Of course none of those people would join for E1 pay so maybe we need to either reinstitute the draft or just hire civilians.

If rank is a indication of level of skill in your MOS then why are we so up in arms about this outstanding achievement! Maybe the military should catch up with the rest of the world and recognize talent and not just time?? Great job and accomplishment of you ask me!!

I am all for recognizing talent and ability. But I am also sure that this is not the way to do it.

I made SP% at 18 years old with 1 year TIS in 1976...never was PVT, PV2, or CPL/SP4...

I made SP% at 18 years old, one year TIS in 1976...