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The US Air Force Bands Program
Regional Bands FAQ
Basic Training
Q. Does every regional band musician have to go through basic training?
A. Yes, basic training is a requirement for every Air Force musician.
Q. What is basic training like? How long is it?
A. Basic Training is an initial 8 1/2-week course at Lackland AFB (San Antonio, TX). While in basic training, you'll learn standard military drill and ceremonies, Air Force history, customs and courtesies, and will participate in daily physical fitness exercises. For more details, go to: http://www.basictraining.af.mil/
Q. Assuming I'm going into the Air Force in another career field, can I audition for a regional band while in basic training?
A. No. However, you can apply to audition for the band career field when a vacancy becomes available and your service requirements have been met. As with other applicants, you must submit a pre-recorded CD and performance resume and pass a live audition. Once found musically qualified for entrance into the band career field, you would apply for retraining status. Normal military service requirements apply: A first-term Airman (four-year enlistment contact) assigned to a stateside base is eligible to apply for retraining after he or she has completed 35 months (no more than 43 months) of military service. Six-year enlistees may apply to re-train after completing 59 months of military service.
Q. Do Air Force musicians attend a technical school after basic training?
A. No. While in basic training, all enlisted musicians are assigned to the 737th Training Group Drum and Bugle Corps flight for initial skills qualification. After basic training, Airman musicians report directly to their assigned band.
Q. How and when will I know which band I'm assigned to?
A. As a general rule, you'll know which band you'll be assigned to before you enlist, usually the same day as your audition. Musicians are rarely diverted from that initial assignment.
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Moving
Q. Where can I stay upon immediate arrival to the band?
A. Incoming service members and their families may stay in temporary lodging facilities on-base for up to 30 days.
Q. When do I "house hunt" after basic training?
A. You can request up to 8 days from your gaining unit to find a new residence. These days do not count against vacation time (leave). "House hunting" must be taken immediately after basic training in the area of the assigned base.
Q. Where will my household goods be stored if I am temporarily housed?
A. If the Air Force moves your household goods, they will store them free of charge while you are temporarily housed. If you decide to move yourself, the Air Force will reimburse you for a portion of your moving and storage expenses.
Q. Will I live on or off base?
A. Married members have the choice of living either on or off base; however there is a waiting list at some locations for on-base housing. Single members are normally authorized to live off base and receive a housing allowance to offset the cost. Ask your band manager or audition coordinator for further details.
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Equipment
Q. What instruments/equipment are supplied by the Air Force?
A. Professional quality instruments and related supplies (mouthpieces, reeds, valve oil, etc.) are provided for each musician.
Q. Will I be asked to perform on any other instruments?
A. There may be times when you will be asked to play related instruments to cover performance requirements, for example:
Trumpet/Flugelhorn
Flute/Piccolo
Clarinet/Bass Clarinet/E-flat Clarinet
Sax/Clarinet
Trombone/Bass Trombone/Euphonium
Vocal, Guitar, Bass, or Piano/auxiliary Percussion
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Schedule
Q. What is a normal day like for an Air Force Musician?
A. Duty hours are designated by each unit and may fluctuate depending on performance schedules. A typical non-performance duty day runs from 0800-1630 and consists of a combination of rehearsals and administrative tasks. (See Additional Duties, below)
Q. Is the band career field a full-time job? Is it secondary to being an Airman?
A. The band career field is a full-time profession, not a side activity. In wartime or peacetime, your primary duty is to perform as a musician.
Q. Will I deploy?
A. All Air Force bands deploy. The most commonly deployed ensembles are our Rock/Popular Music Ensembles. Deployments generally last about 90 days. During that time, Airman musicians bolster troop morale, build partnerships, and strengthen relationships with host nation communities through musical performances. While deployed, AF bands are not assigned non-musical tasks. Air Force bands deploy up to 10 members at a time on a rotational schedule, so once a band has deployed, generally it will not deploy again for at least 18 months.
Q. What kind of musical ensembles will I typically perform with?
A. Most musicians usually perform in two or more ensembles:
- Flute, clarinet, oboe, and bassoon: Woodwind quintet and/or clarinet quartet along with concert band and ceremonial band.
- Saxophone: Jazz band or a pop music combo along with concert band and ceremonial/marching band.
- French horn: Concert band and woodwind quintet or brass quintet as well as ceremonial/marching band.
- Tuba and euphonium: Brass quintet or low brass ensemble, concert band, and ceremonial/marching band.
- Trumpet and trombone: Jazz band, pop music combo or brass quintet along with concert band and ceremonial/marching band.
- Rhythm section: (percussionists, pianists, guitarists, bassists) Rock/pop music ensemble or jazz band as well as protocol combos and/or concert band. Percussionists are essential in the ceremonial/marching band and along with pianists, may assist in chamber ensembles, brass, or woodwind quintets.
- Vocalist: Rock/pop music ensemble or jazz band as well as protocol combos and/or concert band. They may also perform solo anthems and augment protocol combos, chamber winds, and ceremonial bands.
- Audio engineers may augment a group occasionally, depending on their skill, but are not typically tasked to play an instrument.
Q. Does the band have weekends off? Holidays?
A. Band units frequently perform on weekends with compensatory days off on weekdays. For example, if a tour extends over a weekend, time-off will be scheduled on the weekdays immediately following the band's return to base. You will typically enjoy the same number of days off as the rest of the Air Force, although certain holidays and family days may be adjusted based on mission requirements. Military bands are a traditional part of American patriotic celebrations, so expect to work on major holidays such as Veteran's Day, Memorial Day, and Independence Day.
Q. Am I allowed to take a day off other than those scheduled?
A. Bands normally take two consecutive weeks of blanket leave in the summer and two weeks over the holidays in December. Specific dates are dictated by each unit according to mission requirements. Individuals may request Out-of Cycle leave beyond the scheduled blanket leave periods for special circumstances. Each case is evaluated on an individual basis and approved through the chain of command.
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Performances
Q. Where does the band perform?
A. Each Air Force Band is assigned a geographical area of responsibility or "region" for performing. For instance, the USAF Band of the West's region includes Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, and Louisiana. Bands typically perform inside their geographic area of responsibility but occasionally travel outside this area to meet special Air Force priorities or community relations requirements.
Q. What are the performance venues like?
A. Performances take place in a wide variety of settings to include concert halls, public school or civic auditoriums, gymnasiums, field houses, outdoor concert venues, stadiums, and festivals.
Q. What type of audience does the band play for?
A. Air Force Bands perform for military and civilian audiences around the world in support of official military, recruiting, and community outreach events. In a ceremonial capacity, bands perform for military functions, funeral honors, ceremonies, and troop support events. Outreach events may include public concerts, school assemblies, master classes, recitals, and special youth programs.
Q. How many performances do bands give per year?
A. On average, each Air Force band performs over 400 programs annually for military, recruiting, and outreach events. This number includes the total of all unit performances, from soloists to massed ensembles.
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Additional Duties
Q. What duties will I have in addition to performing with the band?
A. Several. The Air Force band squadron is a self-contained unit, so members must perform non-musical duties in support of the band's operational needs and activities. Each member is assigned to an administrative section within the band:
Music Library: Organizes and distributes music to unit ensembles
Publicity: Develops publicity materials, manages the unit web site
Operations: Coordinates group tours and performances
Finance: Manages unit funding, purchases
Supply: Instrument purchases/repair, uniforms, supplies
Administration: Manages personnel records, awards and decorations, training, auditions
Computer Staff: Network administration, software/hardware maintenance
Vehicles: Coordinates scheduling/maintains band vehicles
Loading Crew: New members also serve on loading crew and are responsible for loading, unloading, setting-up and tearing down equipment before and after each performance.
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Education
Q. Is there opportunity for continued education for an advanced degree?
A. Yes. The Air Force encourages its members to seek continued development in their area of expertise. For the first few years, band members undergo extensive on-the-job training (OJT) to develop their performance and administrative skills. Part of this training may include private instruction and participation in professional workshops or conferences. In addition, members can take advantage of the following education incentives:
Tuition Assistance: The Air Force Tuition Assistance (TA) program is designed to help active-duty personnel pursue voluntary, off-duty educational opportunities. Currently, the program pays 100% (up to $250 per semester hour or equivalent) of the cost of college tuition with a limit of $4500 per fiscal year. Courses and degree programs may be academic or technical and can be taken from two- or four-year institutions on base, off base or by correspondence.
Post-9/11 GI Bill: An educational assistance program that provides eligible Airmen up to 36 months of benefits which may be used for undergraduate and graduate degree programs, vocational and technical training, tutorial assistance, books, supplies and monthly housing. Benefits are payable up to 15 years following release from active duty and may be transferred to spouses or dependent children. For additional information, go to: http://www.airforce.com/benefits/enlisted-education/
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Pay and Benefits
Q. What will my monthly salary be?
A. New recruits who have satisfactorily completed at least 45 semester hours or 67 quarter hours of college credit are awarded the rank of Airmen First Class (E-3 pay grade) after graduating from basic training. In addition to basic pay, members earn a non-taxable basic allowance for housing and basic allowance for sustenance. Pay and allotments increase as tenure and cost-of-living increases. For specific rates, click on the following link: http://www.airforce.com/benefits/enlisted-pay/?m=2012easearch&pl=google&med=cpc
Q. What other benefits does the Air Force offer?
A. Several.
College Loan Repayments: Up to $10,000
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH): The Air Force ensures the basic needs of every Airman are taken care of. Off-base residents receive a monthly tax-free housing allowance to help defray living expenses. On-base residents have their living expenses paid in full, to include utility bills and maintenance. BAH is calculated based on the location to which you are assigned. To calculate your BAH, go to the following website: http://www.defensetravel.dod.mil/site/bah.cfm
Subsistence (Food) Allowance: Airmen also receive tax free food allowances called Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS). BAS rates on Jan 1, 2012 totaled $348.44 per month. Rates adjust annually according to cost of living averages.
Uniform Allowance: Airmen receive an annual tax-free clothing allowance to replace uniform items.
Medical and Dental Care: Active duty members receive comprehensive medical and dental care at no cost plus full pay and allowances for sick days. In addition, their family members receive medical care at military or civilian providers for little or no cost.
Life Insurance: Service Member's Group Life Insurance, or SGLI, is a low cost group life insurance plan for service members. SGLI coverage is available in increments of $50,000 to a maximum of $400,000. Premiums are currently $.065 per $1,000 of insurance, regardless of the member's age.
Savings at base facilities: You'll save about 25% by shopping on-base at the Air Force department stores, grocery stores, and service stations.
Travel Expenses: When traveling for job-related reasons (otherwise known as temporary duty [TDY] away from your home base), you'll receive additional tax-free money to cover your meals, lodging, and other incidental expenses.
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