FT Gig with Benefits!

sadowskyschmaus · #1 10-23-2008, 03:44 PM

We (USAF Heartland of America Band, located just south of Omaha, NE) will have a full time bass position open soon. Approx $33,000 salary to start w/ full med/den benefits and many more. Must be able to play multiple styles and read well. Let me know if you are interested and I will fill you in with more details!

bill spangler · #2 10-24-2008, 12:48 PM

I guess "55" is too old to apply for this job??

sadowskyschmaus · #3 10-24-2008, 02:25 PM

yes, 55 is too old...sorry. 34 years of age is the cutoff for enlistment, unless you have previously served in the armed services, then for instance if you had served 4 years already in any branch and had gotten out, the cutoff for you would be 38 years of age, if that makes sense.

Blues Cat · #4 10-26-2008, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bill spangler

I guess "55" is too old to apply for this job??

They'd be like Bill, you don't read well enough, let's see how you do with this .50 cal. We have an opening in Iraq btw.

nohbudi · #5 10-26-2008, 11:46 PM

Wen't through MEPs a little over a year ago, they tested me color blind... so I've been going to school for music since then.... I was shooting for a 1A AFSC, but my false color vision result screwed me on that... SO this is a 3N1 aye? Not a bad gig from the looks of it..

**Pacman** · #6 10-26-2008, 11:53 PM

Dang it! Tell Laurie to hang on for 3 years! I want this job when I get back from Japan! And tell Jimmy I said 'hey'....

Joe Gress · #7 10-27-2008, 11:51 AM

Well, since I'm currently waiting for a reply from the Air Force, I'm interested.

(By the way, you already sent me an Email.)

jady · #8 11-10-2008, 03:51 PM

Damn, Im 37...........sounds like a great gig.

**Pacman** · #9 11-10-2008, 06:26 PM

Schmaus, Dan Bragdon sends his best. You should think about coming to Japan in a few years....

JimmyM · #10 11-12-2008, 10:33 AM

When people told me about a "gig with benefits," it meant the female singer would take you out back occasionally

mvw356 · #11 11-12-2008, 11:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JimmyM

When people told me about a "gig with benefits," it meant the female singer would take you out back occasionally

yeah i thought the same. a dental plan is not exactly the rock and roll lifestyle

GeneralElectric · #12 11-15-2008, 11:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mvw356

yeah i thought the same. a dental plan is not exactly the rock and roll lifestyle

Its the working musician's life style.

aspdevboy · #13 11-17-2008, 10:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mvw356

yeah i thought the same. a dental plan is not exactly the rock and roll lifestyle

LMAO!

Big Red Bass · #14 11-17-2008, 10:56 PM

I'm interested.

**Pacman** · #15 11-18-2008, 01:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Big Red Bass

I'm interested.

You can't be playin that Army bass with an Air Force band - it's not allowed!

bad_andy · #16 12-25-2008, 09:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

Schmaus, Dan Bragdon sends his best. You should think about coming to Japan in a few years....

Send Bragdon my best. Has he learned how to say "Bartender, another beer please" in Japanese yet?

**Pacman** · #17 12-25-2008, 05:32 PM

Man, he learned that the first day!

We spend a lot of time at his place, at his bar though....

BigOldHarry · #18 01-19-2009, 08:08 PM

Hee hee...

Never mind the "travel opportunities"...

I did see the Army band play at Balad - not bad... for grunts!

realbadgroove · #19 01-23-2009, 07:02 PM

24 year old living in Kansas not to far away. Fill me in I have been playing for 14 years and sing......

jhfishn · #20 01-25-2009, 10:17 AM

Folks,

I had 8 1/2 years as a full time Navy Bass player back in the 80's and eventually got out and joined a National Guard band just to get my retirement.

I currently am in the Atlantic City area trying to gig )and I do mean trying). My Navy years were the best playing times I've ever had. I gigged from Japan to the states and THAT"S ALL I DID! No rifle, no extra duty .... nothing! I gigged with the likes of Randy Brecker, Martha and the Vandellas, Little Anthiny and the Imperials and others that came to do military stuff with us as well as normal command parties ext. When I left the Navy in 1989 I was completey debt free due to side gigs.

The National Guard was a different story and I only did that to get my retirement built up.

In my opinion the military bands stack up as follows:
1 - Air Force Band - you get to play in ALL styles with both rock, concert, big band and ceremonial stuff.
2. - Navy - if you are into jazz bands, rock with a smattering of ceremonial this is the place for you. There are currently only 2 bands still attached to a ship and that is in Japan and Italy and they usaully fly ahead and meet the boat and use if as a hotel (at least that's what we did). Since the ships are so automated my "battle station" was either my rack (bed) or rehearsal room - I kind of liked that

3. Marines - excpetional good military music and marching with good big band as well - yes you will carry a weapon and are a Marine first
4. Army - sort of lends itself to concert and ceremonial bands - again you will carry a weapon if needed and are a soldier first

Do not think that all you will do is march and play ceremonies! NOT AT ALL!

This was the most complete musical experience I've ever had and I wound up playing all styles of music all over the world .... and had benefits too!

Now ... I'm 53 and that lets me out but if I could I'd be at the front of the line gentleman!

Just my 2 cents but it truly is a good deal (oh yeah ... that is once you're out of boot camp)