Joe Liotine Life Time - Join Military Bands.

1. Joe Liotine Joining the Military Bands

2. Many musicians don’t think of military career when it comes to playing and performing music. However, this path can provide talented musicians with a dependable source of income, great benefits, and a variety of opportunities.

3. OPPORTUNITIES WITH THE ARMED FORCES • Each branch of the US military— Navy, Army, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard—employee full-time music ensembles. There are two types of each group:

4. 1) Premier bands. Ensemble members of Premier bands have a guaranteed post, no worry about being transferred. Hired musicians are awarded the rank of E6. The 10 premier military bands are housed in places like Washington DC or service academies in West Point, Annapolis, Colorado Springs, etc.

5. 2) Regional bands. Some members can stay with the same group for many years, however reassignment to other ensembles can occur because of manning shortages or openings in other bands. Your entering status is determined by your educational background. Musicians who have college credit often start at the rank of E3. Regional groups are housed on bases across the country and abroad. • The term band are umbrella organizations consisting of several performing ensembles. For example, the US Army Field Band is made up of chorus, concert band, pop combo, big band.

6. Positions are available for: • Instrumentalists • Non-performing staff • Vocalists • Conductors • Recording/sound engineers • Composers/arrangers

7. PROS

8. Serving your country. • Even without seeing combat, military musicians provide a valuable patriotic service.

9. Job security. • There are very few music jobs that can provide the level of security that the military offers. After obtaining an ensemble position, you can keep it until retirement at age 55. Musicians can’t be fired or laid off unless they make a catastrophic mistake and are dishonorably discharged or reassigned.

10. Opportunities. • Many groups perform at mega high profile diplomatic ceremonies, tour, and record. Ensembles typically program a wide variety of musical genres. Members also have the option of performing in chamber groups or being featured as a soloist.

11. Health care. • Comprehensive health care programs are made available to all members.

12. Education/college repayment. • The military is able to pay down college debt, help subsidize private lessons, and contribute for the cost of additional schooling. Military personnel are also eligible to utilize the GI Bill.

13. Other benefits. • Members may live on base at no cost, or receive an allowance for housing. They also collect a stipend for food. Allowances are non-taxable. Instrumentalists are supplied with professional quality instruments. These can only be used for official military engagements (not outside gigs).

14. Elite entering status. • When you are hired into a premier band, members are granted the rank of E6 immediately. This is very atypical for non-music personnel, who have to work 5-10+ years to reach that status.

15. Discipline. • Joining the military is a way to develop a more disciplined lifestyle.

16. Gigs on side. • Military obligations of course take precedence, but most if not all musicians line up extra work and income sources.

17. Early retirement • You receive retirement benefits after 20 years of military service. Retirees receive a pension that is equivalent to around 50% of their highest base pay.

18. CONS

19. Basic training. • Musicians have to complete basic training, which takes between 6-13 weeks.

20. Restricted freedom. • Joining the military requires one to forfeit freedoms that are available to civilians. The Uniform Code of Military Justice is made up of a different set of laws that you have to adhere to after signing your contract. You must look the partof a member of the armed forces which means you have to keep your hair short, face shaved, and boots shined. Your house must be kept in order, and don’t even think about doing drugs.

21. Rigidity. • Many aspects of life are dictated by external sources, which can be frustrating for creative artists.

22. No way out. • After signing on, military personnel have to honor their legally binding contract for a the period of time.

23. Physical requirements. • Keeping yourself in good physical shape is a job requirement.

24. Keeping yourself in good physical shape is a job requirement. • Keeping yourself in good physical shape is a job requirement.

25. Bureaucracy. • The military is a complicated institution with lots protocol and red tape.

26. Deployments. • Some musicians must be deployed to war zones, though for shorter periods than other parts of the armed forces.

27. Discrimination. • Woman report high rates of harassment.

28. Collateral responsibilities. • Everyone has responsibilities outside of their primary musical duties. Examples may include web design, booking gigs, making posters, and accounting.

29. Lack of creative outlets. • The military is about following orders and conformity, not innovation. Contracts mention nothing about personal fulfillment, just completing assigned responsibilities. Ensembles often use the same material year after year, and there is little tolerance for creative individuals . Possible remedies include chamber ensemble assignments and personal pursuits during off duty hours.