Like, hey man, I'm with the band...........

What do ya mean I can't march with piano.

Well, that's about it. I'm out of money, I'm not making enough, and whatever you're about to suggest for getting a job, I've tried it. Attempting to gain alternate certification for teaching has failed. You have to be able to get hired. So far, I've got half of a position, not enough. The biggest killer at my interviews? Not an experienced teacher. sigh............(so you'd rather finish the year with frickin' substitues?) Solution? Back in the Army I go. Woot.

So now that I now where I'm going, the question is what do I do when I get there? Will they try to cram me back into my old MOS? (the obvious answer being yes, but can they make it stick?) Should I reclass to arabic? Join the Army Band? Why not infantry? Hell, what about special forces? The only thing I can easily rule out is OCS, because I can't afford to wait long enough to get together an officer packet.

Really what it comes down to, is band, or my old MOS, but in arabic. My wife wants me to go Band, but I don't know. I don't know how long the auditioning will take. I don't know if I want to take a job where I'd have to wear class A's all the time, or God help me, dress blues. Plus, like the man said, you can't march and carry a piano, so I'd have to vastly improve my clarinet skills or something. Big bonus though, and an automatic promotion to sergeant. I could stay with the band for just a few years, bone up on my music, let my wife finally get her degree, clean up my finances a bit, and head into professional music when I get out. If I chose to get out. Who knows, professional opera, musical theater, concerts......................

Or Arabic. I'm very, very good at my job, just sucky at the language side with korean. (although oddly enough, this wasn't much of a barrier.) I enjoy being in the know, and having a clearance. I like being a part of what was actually influencing what was going on. On the other hand, in six years I was in, I only actually did that part for less than a year. If I do go this route, it's definitely for the rest of the twenty years to retirement, but then again, that's probable even in the band.

Oh well, we'll see. And remember, don't think of it as rejoining an organization you didn't like (yes, I know, largely my attitude, although not wholly), think of it as being to much of a failure at life to remain a civilian and still make a living. Toodles, and goodnight.
14,355 views 21 replies
Reply #1 Top

Bands need pianists. I have actually seen keyboardists and pianists performing on the side of the marching band. their equipment is already waiting for them. Also, they may need accompanists, especially for practices.

So try in piano. The worst they can say is no. Maybe they'll make you a percussionist.

Sorry you couldn't find a job. I wish I could have helped more. Good luck Sarge!
Reply #2 Top
There isn't a Rock, Jazz or Country band out there who could use a good piano/keyboard player? Not that I don't think you'd do great if you got back in, but the road can't be all that bad! Course, it doesn't come with the pay, benefits and other plusses that come with military service, but then again, if you're first love (careerwise) is music, don't give up on it too easily.
Reply #3 Top
There is the accordian.  Good luck.
Reply #4 Top
Join the AF Mid-America band and come joind D and I at AMC headquarters here at Scott.

It's not so bad.....actually, we just court martialed someone from the band. Torched his own car for the insurance money....yeah, he wasn't too smart. Had a hard time spelling his own ast name, as I recall. So much for the enlistment requirements, I guess those go out of the window if you're with the band, huh?
Reply #5 Top
So much for the enlistment requirements, I guess those go out of the window if you're with the band, huh?


Remember, there's a waiver for EVERYTHING.

So try in piano. The worst they can say is no. Maybe they'll make you a percussionist.


Silly goose, a pianist is a percussionist. Hammers on strings and whatnot, ole chap.

There isn't a Rock, Jazz or Country band out there who could use a good piano/keyboard player?


Know another band that starts out at thirty-five grand and's hunting around here? I'd learn polka for that.

There is the accordian. Good luck.


I've got one. It badly needs an overhaul and I'm still trying to figure out the buttons. I figured out that it moves in fifths across, and changes the type of chords going down, but who the hell can think circle of fifths that fast? I'll have to just memorize the damn thing before I join any zydeco groups, ya know?
Reply #6 Top

I've got one. It badly needs an overhaul and I'm still trying to figure out the buttons. I figured out that it moves in fifths across, and changes the type of chords going down, but who the hell can think circle of fifths that fast? I'll have to just memorize the damn thing before I join any zydeco groups, ya know?

I was reminded of an accordian by one of the Mash Episodes with the USO.  If you can do a Piano, you will catch on to this.  You have talent.  Something a lot of us just wish we had.

Reply #7 Top
You could try auditioning with the piano, or at least asking about it. Look into the Air Force band(s), actually... I wrote (quoted?) an article awhile back about the AF Band taking civilians left and right.

Look into your options as a Golf. Arabic could be good for you, but I hope you don't mind the sand...

Best wishes and God Bless, Ben.
Reply #8 Top
Just never mention that you speak the devil language, or DLPT in it. They may be not interesting in KPs today, but you don't want to be caught up a year from now. btw, I will shed a tear for you when you re-up so you won't be the only one.
Reply #11 Top
Arabic could be good for you, but I hope you don't mind the sand...


Like, all the sand you were exposed to at the beach in Monterey? Or that caliche crap on west Fort Hood? Maybe on the bottom of the beer bottles in Germany.............

Just never mention that you speak the devil language, or DLPT in it.


What do ya mean Korean? I've completely forgotten it. Oh, I got zero questions right on this DLPT? Darn, that's too bad. It's kind of a given that they find out since they have to know my MOS though.

Tropic Lightning Band!


Cool. Just one question though. How the hell did a trombone player get a combat patch? Did he blow mortars out of his horn or his butt at the insurgents or something? Do they have french horns that set off Wiley Pete? Anti-tank euphonium sabot rounds? No no......I bet he plays a killer alto sax.
Reply #12 Top
How the hell did a trombone player get a combat patch?


I guess the bands have their "shake 'n bakes" too. ;~D

~~~~~

This article keeps reminding me of a guy in my basic training unit. He joined the Army as a French Horn player. When we were going some of the more intense combat training we all had fun messing with him about going through all that just to play the French Horn! ;~D
Reply #13 Top
On the plus side,

if you go to monterey, you could run in one of the various events at the big sur international marathon.
Reply #14 Top
Marathons? Whatever. Going back to Monterey means the hot roast beef sandwich at Margie's! And don't forget the Pac-Man Cocktail Table at Round Table Pizza.

That also reminds me of my tradition of eating McDonalds for lunch before every PT test. Good times.
Reply #15 Top


Needs more cowbell!

That's the job for you, methinks!
Reply #16 Top
Gid:
Needs more cowbell!

I'VE GOT A FEVER AND THE ONLY CURE IS MORE COWBELL!

X-SPC:
Silly goose, a pianist is a percussionist.

I know that. I was talking about drums or cymbals or something. When someone tried out for marching band and couldn't play a traditional marching band instrument to their level. They made them bass drummers or one girl they put on cymbals.
Reply #17 Top
Like, all the sand you were exposed to at the beach in Monterey? Or that caliche crap on west Fort Hood? Maybe on the bottom of the beer bottles in Germany.............


Oh, you've got jokes. I haven't seen the sand in Jersey yet, either.

But you bet your ass you'd be in one of them new-fangled combat brigades schlepping along a Prophet.

How the hell did a trombone player get a combat patch?


Often, band members are deployed attached to a unit as extra personnel. This leaves the state-side bands short-handed and unbalanced between woodwinds and brass... dangerously unbalanced.
Reply #18 Top
if you go to monterey, you could run in one of the various events at the big sur international marathon.


Hells yes I could. I swear I'm gonna do that one in the next couple of years, even if I'm in the band and have to take leave to do it. Taking leave and spending the money to fly across country, plus the entry fee, in order to run four hours and then be sick for another two. Heh heh. Is that just plain messed up or what?

Marathons? Whatever. Going back to Monterey means the hot roast beef sandwich at Margie's! And don't forget the Pac-Man Cocktail Table at Round Table Pizza.


Don't forget the little deli out the side gate, they had blackberries as big as my thumb on their cheesecake. And that goofy taco place by fort ord. And the little thai place in San Jose by the convention center with the peanut sauce I would literally kill to get their recipe for. Maybe I should just insist on the language thing..........{drool}

Needs more cowbell!


MORE COWBELL!!!!!!!!!

But you bet your ass you'd be in one of them new-fangled combat brigades schlepping along a Prophet.


Well yeah. Although looking around 15th, lot of noobs........maybe I could convince them that being so experienced at guardrail and all..........right.

Oh, you've got jokes. I haven't seen the sand in Jersey yet, either.


Nobody knows what it's like......to be the sand man..........or be a band man............those Guardrail guys..........

This leaves the state-side bands short-handed and unbalanced between woodwinds and brass... dangerously unbalanced.




It gets even better. Talking to the recruiter today, what with band being stripes for skills, and a long prior service and whatnot, if I pass auditions, I might actually be eligible to come back as STAFF SERGEANT nobody special!!! How cool is that? Bam. Instant E-6, baby. Now I will crush all you lowly specialists. Crush you all. Bow before my might! MUHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!

Plus, E-6 pay with over 6 years, plus the upgraded BAH, plus the signup bonus, equals major bling factor? If of course it came true..............
Reply #19 Top
Ranks in the band are just to have something on their uniforms when they march by. You'll always be SPC Nobody to me!
Reply #20 Top
Talking to the recruiter today


I'm glad you're making positive progress on this, whether it pans out or not. E-6 over 6 is pretty sweet, I can tell you (at least compared to what we've been paid in the past, anyway).
Reply #21 Top

might actually be eligible to come back as STAFF SERGEANT nobody special!!! How cool is that? Bam. Instant E-6, baby.

YES SARGEANT!