Which reserve military band is the easiest to get into?

2018-03-23T16:02:59-04:00

Which military band is easiest to get into? What level of playing (high school senior, college undergrad, college graduate) is able to get into the reserve bands? I'm thinking Army Reserve or Army NG would be easiest to get into, but I'd like to know how to prepare. Also considering ANG. Thoughts/opinions/advice from other armed forces band members?

Response by SFC Charles Temm made Mar 23 at 2018 8:06 PM

2018-03-23T20:06:29-04:00

It's a given they are hard to get into period. You'll have to audition and it's likely you'll be in competition w/other candidates. You may have to do some leg work of your own to see if the relative handful of Reserve/ARNG bands have any slots to begin with before thinking you'll have to choose.

I wish I could assure you that outside influence or anything other than skill & soldierly traits will be the key but I think that may be a bit of a lie.

Give it your best, you'll endure countless such tests in your life anyway and your abilities won't always be the key but God grant this time it will be.

Response by CW3 Jeff Held made Mar 23 at 2018 9:31 PM

2018-03-23T21:31:01-04:00

Are you doing yourself any good going for “the easiest”? Go for the elite.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 29 at 2018 4:58 PM

2018-06-29T16:58:06-04:00

I am the Army Music Recruiting Liasion and audition coordinator for active-duty bands. The standard is the same across the board for all components. You must complete an audition and achieve a minimum score of an 18 on the army musician proficiency assessment( the audition).

Please go to Music.army.mil/careers and request an audition. You will then get information on audition requirements and The reserve and National Guard bands near you. Depending on what instrument you play, they are likely to have an opening for you. As long as you meet the minimum score and they have a vacancy, you are able to join that band.

Reserve and national guard bands are typically taking players out of high school, so a score of 18 will be sufficient. But for active-duty, full-time positions, you’ll have to be much more competitive (at least a 24) and likely have an undergraduate degree to be hired.

Best of luck to you.

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 9 at 2020 8:51 AM

2020-11-09T08:51:15-05:00

I'm interested in joining you