I'm thinking of enlisting

Sober · Post by **Sober** » Mon May 08, 2006 2:32 am

As in the army, as an army bandperson.

Keyboardists get paid more than any other instrument, I imagine there'd be less field-marching stuff, and my gear is provided for me. I'd still have to do basic combat training, which I'm not worried about at all, I'm actually kinda psyched about. Lose weight, etc.

After bct, they send you to their music conservatory in VA for up to 24 weeks, and then you're deployed in some kickass band somewhere in the world. Jazz/swing, top 40, classical, they have it all.

I'm considering this because I'm not really going anywhere right now. I don't have any motivation for school, and I'm getting fatter. In a year, I see myself working at some crappy $10/hr job living at home worrying about Songfight. I've been thinking about this for months.

I picked the army because they have the best website of all the armed forces

So I'm going to go talk to a recruiter today, and just get a better feel for what I'm getting into. If I can't get in as a bandperson, I'm not going to join, period. Depending on how scary the audition is, I might get into some private lessons.

Any songfighter vets? I know Rio Mondo served in Iraq, anyone else?

Paco Del Stinko · Post by **Paco Del Stinko** » Mon May 08, 2006 5:05 am

I had a 2-year enlistment in the Army from 1984-86. Yeah, I'm an old bastard. It can be a 24 hour a day job. There are many good things about the service, and many bad, with the best for me having been the comradery with guys I will always love and remember. Career-wise, there are plenty of 'in-house' opportunities, and the comparitively small paycheck that you receive is way offset by the benefits you obtain. You are not, however, a civilian. It was one of the greatest things that I've done in my life, with lots of adventure, but I was glad when it was over. I would rather have the $10 per hour job and be free, worrying about Songfight. Good luck, and certainly don't act in haste.

c.layne · Post by **c.layne** » Mon May 08, 2006 5:32 am

i just finished up a 4 year enlistment in the air force last october. don't know much about the military band, but a job's a job, may as well get one where you can play music.

the only thing i can tell you is MAKE DAMN SURE that you have a position secured and waiting for you in the band BEFORE you go to boot camp. they will fuck you otherwise.

Post by jb » Mon May 08, 2006 8:37 am

The military bands are COMPETITIVE. Don't get your hopes up too high.

Middlemarch · Post by **Middlemarch** » Mon May 08, 2006 9:46 am

I teach college near an Army base and have had many enlisted personnel as students. Many of them have stories of being told one thing by recruiters only to be assigned somewhere completely different.

You want to be an Army cook? Well, while we're waiting for a position to open up, you'll be assigned to the bomb detentation squad.

Rabid Garfunkel · Post by **Rabid Garfunkel** » Mon May 08, 2006 10:25 am

I second what MMarch posted.

Trust not in recruiters. Their quota's their only goal. And you'll never see them again, once you get on the bus/train/airplane.

And if you do sign up, bring comfortable underwear.

Army, '87-'93 (Reserves, that is).

Leaf · Post by **Leaf** » Mon May 08, 2006 10:32 am

I am the first male in my family to not enlist in the American Armed Forces (although my American cousins have followes suit).
That's right... my family is American, on my father's side. He did the Korea/Vietnam thing, and it goes back in my family... but the tradition and perspective on military is much different in Canada.

While I wish you the best if you join the miltary machine I also find it unfortunate that a dude with your talent is left with option a) join the army, or option b) work at Wendys.

Seems wrong. Oh well, good luck with it if you choose to do so...

Middlemarch · Post by **Middlemarch** » Mon May 08, 2006 10:52 am

The Sober Irishman wrote:I don't have any motivation for school

Enlisting will probably be a good motivator. Nearly every one of my enlisted students express how their military experience motivates them to get out and go to college full-time.

Hoblit · Post by **Hoblit** » Mon May 08, 2006 11:01 am

Leaf wrote:I am the first male in my family to not enlist in the American Armed Forces (although my American cousins have followes suit).

Same here, well..nor my brother or cousins. My dad has three brothers who served and his dad served as well as two of his uncles. One of my uncles is still serving in the National Guard Reserves. And get this, he is a musician too who plays trumpet (Taps) at vetran's funerals. I would join the National Guard in a heart beat myself but I'm reluctant to take out my peircings.

I fully support you in your decision to join. I'd be proud to have another songfighter involved in our armed forces.

Now, make sure you have your information all lined up real good though...I'd hate to hear you ended up like any of these horror stories suggested here.

Good luck with that man.

/salute

Sober · Post by **Sober** » Mon May 08, 2006 11:15 am

Just got back from the recruiters, and I'm feeling pretty good about this. I made sure to get very clear info on the audition/deployment process. Up to the audition, I am not obligated to enlist. That means if I fail the audition I can walk away, take 6 months to practice, whatever.

So if I pass, I can go ahead and enlist, and I ship out to basic generally within a month. 9 weeks later, I'm a soldier and they send me to the music school in Norfolk. After I'm done there, I'm deployed into a band somewhere around the world.

People keep trying to scare me about boot camp, even my dad. I'm actually kinda pumped for that part. I know I need a good asskicking, and if I lose 30 pounds in the process, so be it.

Minimum enlistment time is 3 years, which I'm a little wary of.

Huah!

Rabid Garfunkel · Post by **Rabid Garfunkel** » Mon May 08, 2006 11:36 am

Hell, with the girlfriends you've told us about, the head games of basic should be no problem for you

Advice for basic training: NEVER volunteer. Even raising your hand for something as innocuous as "Who's got a driver's license?" will have you driving a lawnmower along with the other poor schlubs out in the 100Â° heat.

You're going to have to pay for your haircut when you get there, even if you've already shaved your head beforehand.

Read Heinlein's "Starship Troopers". Handy advice buried in and among the story.

KP is better duty than latrines. The cooks give you breaks when it's slow. And something to eat/drink.

And seriously, bring comfortable underwear. And talcum powder (if you're doing basic @ Leonardwood (sp?), Knox, Fort Jackson, or anywhere humid like that).

-rg

Sober · Post by **Sober** » Mon May 08, 2006 12:08 pm

That's the kind of shit I want to hear. Thanks, RG.

Paco Del Stinko · Post by **Paco Del Stinko** » Mon May 08, 2006 12:22 pm

Mr. Garfunkal is correct: "I volunteered once" should become one of your personal creeds. This can apply to your regular duty as well.

c.layne · Post by **c.layne** » Mon May 08, 2006 1:52 pm

i loved KP duty. there is nothing more precious than food while you're in boot camp... besides taking a shower by yourself, but you can go ahead and forget about that happening.

Sober · Post by **Sober** » Mon May 08, 2006 1:56 pm

Quick reality check question: what's the ladies situation? Is it physically possible to pick up chicks when in service? I don't necessarily mean soldier chicks, just in general.

Silly question maybe, just wondering.

blue · Post by **blue** » Mon May 08, 2006 3:25 pm

they are going to send you to die in iraq, idiot. do not fucking join the god-damned army right now.

c.layne · Post by **c.layne** » Mon May 08, 2006 3:52 pm

The Sober Irishman wrote:Quick reality check question: what's the ladies situation? Is it physically possible to pick up chicks when in service? I don't necessarily mean soldier chicks, just in general.

Silly question maybe, just wondering.

just as possible as it is right now.

in response to blue, i think, but am not positive, that band members are on protected status, and do not get deployed unless it's for a morale visit or something.

j$ · Post by j$ » Mon May 08, 2006 4:43 pm

Go join an orchestra.

You're considering joining the army and I'm thinking you're nuts. What Blue said, only +North Korea & Iran, if you make it through Iraq. Diplomatic, my arse. If you play fiddle for the devil, your bow will catch fire.

(ps I'm being figurative. I'm not suggesting the American Army is the devil.)

Märk · Post by **Märk** » Mon May 08, 2006 4:53 pm

j$ wrote: (ps I'm being figurative. I'm not suggesting the American Army is the devil.)

haha! *right*

Sober: I have this scenario in my head, and it goes like this:

"Well, soldier, we couldn't find an opening in a band for you *anywhere*. Sorry, kid. But SINCE YOU'VE ALREADY DONE BCT AND WE BASICALLY OWN YOUR ASS FOR 3 YEARS ANYWAY... we could really use some more pawn...er, *troops* over in Iraq. You ship out tomorrow."

Hell, I'm sure recruiters convince stupid kids that there's a 'candy eating position', or a 'drink beer and fuck hot women' position available in the forces. Doesn't mean you're going to get it. My predicition? You'll pass your audition, no matter how poorly you do.

Sorry to be on the negative side of the fence here, I hope everything you say is actually the way it is, and good luck. Like someone else mentioned, don't rush into anything.

Middlemarch · Post by **Middlemarch** » Mon May 08, 2006 5:19 pm

Sven wrote:a 'drink beer and fuck hot women' position available in the forces. Doesn't mean you're going to get it.

It depends on who your father is.

melvin · Post by **melvin** » Mon May 08, 2006 7:55 pm

"Congratulations, private. You're playing lead French horn in Shock and Awe: The Musical. Opens in Tehran this summer. Hope you brought some comfy undies."

jack · Post by **jack** » Mon May 08, 2006 8:05 pm

as the evidence has shown over and over, you really can't believe what the military tells you, especially in this administration and in this war against "terror" (remind me again where terror is located?)

you sign the contract, they own your ass.

and what blue said.

I'm thinking of enlisting

I'm thinking of enlisting

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