Anyone want a bass gig in the Air Force?

southernrocker · #1 08-20-2009, 02:56 PM

I just found out that they are having tryouts for bass players, upright and electric, in some of the air force bands. I was really wanting to do it, but since I am already going to be shipping out in Nov., I can't audition.

So, If any of you would want to be a bass player for the air force, hit me up and I'll send you the information I was given.
If any of you go through with the audition, Good Luck!

LilRay · #2 08-20-2009, 03:10 PM

Don't you have to go through a basic training?

God Bless, Ray

jaywa · #3 08-20-2009, 03:11 PM

Do military musicians have to go through boot camp? That would suck.

Calebmundy · #4 08-20-2009, 03:21 PM

Yes, and it's Air Force boot camp-give me a break guys.

southernrocker · #5 08-20-2009, 09:32 PM

You do, it's 8 1/2 weeks, but you don't have any tech school afterwards. I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea that I'm recruiting or anything, I just would've loved to play bass and get paid for a living, so I figured one of you guys would jump on an opportunity like this.

Ed Fuqua · #6 08-20-2009, 09:39 PM

If you want more info about the life, e-mail Jon Packard, who posts here as Pacman. He's been in one of the Air Force bands for as long as we been posting on this site, he's on his way back to Japan after spending the last couple of weeks playing with the band at Hickman in Hawaii...

JimmyM · #7 08-20-2009, 11:52 PM

Do they take 48 year olds? I could use some army training

electracoyote · #8 08-21-2009, 12:00 AM

Does it involve marching, wearing a uniform, and answering to The Man? What about being sent to foreign countries where Americans are hated and in danger of kidnappings, torture, suicide bombers, and IEDs?

I think I'll pass.

LilRay · #9 08-21-2009, 08:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by southernrocker

You do, it's 8 1/2 weeks, but you don't have any tech school afterwards. I don't want anyone to get the wrong idea that I'm recruiting or anything, I just would've loved to play bass and get paid for a living, so I figured one of you guys would jump on an opportunity like this. Oh yeah, you automatically get E-3 pay starting out.

I can't do basic, I'm disabled. My Uncle is a Ret, MSgt in the USAF. They're supposed to have one of the toughest basics as compared to other branches. It's actually funny, my uncles have been in all branches and their arguments of who had it the worst are quite amusing.

God Bless. Ray

Webtroll · #10 08-21-2009, 08:38 AM

If I wasn't nearly as old as Jimmy and could read music this would be quite appealing. When I was young I played in a cover band that played Army and Navy bases quite often (in the tropics).

coyote- You cracked me up. Answering to "The Man" is quite funny! Unless you were serious in which case you need to double up on the tinfoil you use for your hat, the waves are getting through.

Blake Bass · #11 08-21-2009, 09:00 AM

I was in the USAF Band for 21 years. It is a great gig, and basic training was a piece of cake. I was a big wuss when I was 20 years old but I had no problem getting through basic. It is worth it to have one of the best music jobs in the country. I am now retired and get a pension every month just because I played the bass in the Air Force for 21 years. I would do it again if I could!!

jaywa · #12 08-21-2009, 09:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by electracoyote

Does it involve marching, wearing a uniform, and answering to The Man? What about being sent to foreign countries where Americans are hated and in danger of kidnappings, torture, suicide bombers, and IEDs?

I think I'll pass.

Yeah 10 or 15 years ago it might have been a pretty good gig, assuming you could survive basic. But the way the world is now... not so much, I think.

Although in olden times it was even worse. You know those old pictures of the drummer boys out in front of the troops? Guess who took the first round of bullets...

Blake Bass · #13 08-21-2009, 09:13 AM

Quote:

Yeah 10 or 15 years ago it might have been a pretty good gig, assuming you could survive basic. But the way the world is now... not so much, I think.

I have only been retired for two years and I stay in contact with alot of players who are still on active duty. It hasn't changed much. I'm not a recruiter and I don't care if anyone wants to go in or not. I can only share my experience which was very positive!

jaywa · #14 08-21-2009, 09:24 AM

Good to hear, Blake. I do want to thank you for your service to our country. And I sincerely hope that pension is still there for you after we get done paying for all the bank bailouts, car maker rescues and nationalized healthcare.

PSPookie · #15 08-21-2009, 09:27 AM

Sounds like a great opportunity for the right person.

jaywa · #16 08-21-2009, 09:35 AM

I sometimes play with a drummer who's in a National Guard band. He loves it. And he is a stellar drummer. The one-weekend-a-month and two weeks a year thing does put a bit of a crimp in his gigging schedule but he's good enough that bands work around it.

LaughingGroove · #17 08-21-2009, 09:49 AM

This would be a really cool deal for someone young.

There is no way I could do it kids - wife - relocating wouldn't happen.

But out of curiosity, how old is too old? Do they have an age limit?

Oh and thanks for posting this, hopefully one of the younger players will jump on it.

Lichtaffen · #18 08-21-2009, 10:28 AM

Is it full time active duty? I'd consider it if it was the one weekend a month thing. Though, I am almost 40 though and can't sight read music. I'm a killer though.

jaywa · #19 08-21-2009, 10:48 AM

Something I've always wondered with those gigs is, how does it work with gear? Do you get to choose your own and the govt. pays for it, or is there "government issue" gear you work with? Or are you totally responsible to choose, buy and maintain your own gear just like a civilian?

I'm not trying to be a smart-***, I'm honestly curious how that all works.

**john turner** · #20 08-21-2009, 10:53 AM

pacman is an airforce bandsman. he was in the army band before, for a long time.