Posted on Aug 13, 2015
Is there any 42R, S or C here on RP? How has been your experience? Do you know any?
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One day somebody asked me, what would you do for a living if money wasn't an issue? I answered right away, I WOULD BE A DRUMMER! Well, I already tried that before joining and, yes, money was an issue. Is been more than year and a half since the last time I played with a band. Although I play almost everyday alone, it would be nice to play with a group again.
If there's any 42R, S or C here, or anybody that have contact or know one, how is it to be a musician for the Army? How are the promotion opportunities? How is the experience? Is it a good MOS to reclass to?
If there's any 42R, S or C here, or anybody that have contact or know one, how is it to be a musician for the Army? How are the promotion opportunities? How is the experience? Is it a good MOS to reclass to?
Posted in these groups: 
Reclass
42R: Army Musician
Music
42C: Army Band Officer
42S: Special Army Band Musican
Reclass 42R: Army Musician Music 42C: Army Band Officer 42S: Special Army Band Musican
Edited >1 y ago
Posted >1 y ago
Responses: 9
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I'm an Army Drummer, 42R9M and working towards getting the Horn ASI (9D). Do it. See if you can OJT with the band at your base. Drummer is the hardest audition of them all because you need to be able to play marching band style, classical music AND drum set. email me directly
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
SFC (Join to see) what does OJT stands for? Thanks for the response, although is short, it gave me real good info about it.
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From talking to the band members I've met, the promotion rates are atrocious. But, when you join the Army you either choose between a support job with low promotion potential or a combat job with high promotion rates.
I'm sure you've seen the marching bands, so you know what would be in store for you, hours of marching and drumming. If that sounds like fun to you, then contact them for your audition. You do have to audition to be accepted, and you have to have at least one year on station before you reclass.
I'm sure you've seen the marching bands, so you know what would be in store for you, hours of marching and drumming. If that sounds like fun to you, then contact them for your audition. You do have to audition to be accepted, and you have to have at least one year on station before you reclass.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
SFC (Join to see) I do get that, but is good to know that there are options. I talked with my retention NCO and he told me to talk with musicians on duty so they can tell me how has been the experience and how good has been for them. I tried first here to get a feedback.
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SSG (Join to see)
The band is a good MOS, but as with the rest of the Army, it is downsizing. As a percussionist in an Army band, you need to be familiar with all things percussion. You may be called on to play tympani or mallets in concert band. You will also play marching snare in ceremonial band. You will also work weekends and holidays.
The hard part will be getting a slot at the school of music. Hope this is helpful.
The hard part will be getting a slot at the school of music. Hope this is helpful.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
SSG (Join to see) actually it was really helpful, didn't see it until now because I wasn't tagged but it gave me good info. I think those weekends and holidays "working" are not as heavy for musicians than for the regular MOS's since you get direct feedback from the audience and you are doing something really different.
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SFC (Join to see)
It isn't only ceremonial stuff, but that's what the rest of the Army sees. I actually play a lot drum set in the Army Band, but concert band and ceremonial stuff as well. You have to be able to play Snare drum and drum set with a little bit of mallet ability. Timpani and Mallets are extra points on the audition.
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You'll find a whole bunch of Army band people on this page:
https://www.rallypoint.com/specialties/42r-army-bandperson/followers
Good luck!
https://www.rallypoint.com/specialties/42r-army-bandperson/followers
Good luck!
Army Bandperson
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
CW5 (Join to see) they all are tagged in the discussion, that way they have a notification that a new discussion was posted in their group. I'm starting to learn how to use RP, hehehe.
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SGT(P) (Join to see) I'm definitely a drummer, but I was never one in the Army, except for a band out in California call "Funk Inc." This was just a group of musicians that found each other and formed a band for Black History month in February 1976. It was great. I'm sure there are some Army musicians out here on RP that can really get down into the details for you. If you don't get some good intelligence from RP, send me a message and I will find some answers for you through some of my active contacts in the military.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
All Jacked Up by The Hickory Wind Band
This is just a little something we put together as a band with photos from some recent gigs.
SGT(P) (Join to see) Yes, I still play in a band called "The Hickory Wind Band". We recorded a soung called All Jacked up in the house, not a professional studio. I added some pictures from some of the other gigs. It is what it is and we have fun.
https://youtu.be/kD2FqtUsfFc
https://youtu.be/kD2FqtUsfFc
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
COL Mikel J. Burroughs that's awesome! It is really great to see another aspect of you beside the military image you have here.
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COL Mikel J. Burroughs
SGT(P) (Join to see) Hey what can I say I love music, I love my Harley, I love my daughters and family, and I love my civilian occupation, I love the military and all the brothers and sisters that served, currently serving, and will serve; and I love my country. It just doesn't get any better than that my friend. Go after your dreams to do whatever you want to do - you can do it!
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Suspended Profile
You can always ask for an audition I believe that's one of the first steps in the process of reclassified into that field. I'm sure is like an interview experience, instrument, can you read music at least those were some of the particulars asked when I recruited 2 applicants into the Marine band. It seems like a good MOS to reclassified into and they travel a lot for I've been told.
SGT(P) (Join to see)
SSG Pete Oneill I do read music but I'll have to practice that a lot, I'll have time for that before I made any move.
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if you are a musician there is no better place to be. You do what you love to do and serve your country at the same time. i was in the 389th Army Band 1965-1968 and had a ball. Got my mos
at the Navel School Of Music in Norfolk Va, and then stationed at Fort Monmouth the 389th Army Band, marching band, concert band, dance band and also had my own rock & roll band that did gigs on the weekends. Also great way to grow up and be on your own and be part of something. loved the dress blues when we did concerts and other events.
at the Navel School Of Music in Norfolk Va, and then stationed at Fort Monmouth the 389th Army Band, marching band, concert band, dance band and also had my own rock & roll band that did gigs on the weekends. Also great way to grow up and be on your own and be part of something. loved the dress blues when we did concerts and other events.
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SGT(P) (Join to see)
Just my humble opinion, but if you're serious about crossing over to the band, you should consider the Navy Band, the finest band in all the military in my opinion! :)
Just my humble opinion, but if you're serious about crossing over to the band, you should consider the Navy Band, the finest band in all the military in my opinion! :)
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SPC Stephen Parlefsky
back in 1965 there was a gunny set in charge of the band who would disagree and would say Marines would be the best.
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