Music or Military

ninefingerbass · #1 12-06-2005, 07:41 AM

Exactly what I mean. I am in a dilemna. In April of 2005 I turned 21, bought myself my first car and practice my ass off and gigged as much as I could. Then one month later I bought my first fretless bass with my hard earned money(which I modded and will show once its finished, great body on it now). But I crashed my car, Two months later after getting sick and tired of working in kitchens and earning 10/hr, I joined the Navy. Ever since then I've been woodshedding but not to the extent that I was. Now more so than ever I am woodshedding with so much flowing through me I feel like I'm a hose. I leave for boot camp on Feb. 6, 2006. But I dont want to go. I know I dont have to but if I do I have all these benefits and what not. But I feel like I'll be wasting my talents for something else. I'm a great player and smart cookie so I tried for the music school but nothing. No bass openings for at least 6 months. I wouldn't mind going but I want to pursue music. I know its in me but I'm struggling with being an artist, I paint, draw, write and play. Yes I am a full blown artist that cannot seem to make a living as one. I have two options as to what I want to with my life
1. Go to music school, but I need a scholarship to be defered from the Navy
2. Go to the Navy and 6 years later go to music school.

Anybody ever been in this situation. My heart says music but my mind says military. So confused?!?

SuperDuck · #2 12-06-2005, 07:43 AM

You could be like Pacman and play music in the military. You might have to be at a pretty high level of proficiency in order to be in a military band, though.

ninefingerbass · #3 12-06-2005, 07:53 AM

I called two weeks ago and was informed that I can't audition unless they have a spot but after reading and reviewing all the requirments I think I would pass.

haujobb · #4 12-06-2005, 08:00 AM

I think you should go to the Navy, it will be a great experience and is more likely to open doors for you than going to school for music (Unless your really good, then you would have no problems getting work).

gsys · #5 12-06-2005, 08:52 AM

On other hand, if you go into the military wishing you hadn't, you WILL regret it.

srxplayer · #6 12-06-2005, 09:21 AM

I think the military will be a great experience for you but I hope you have a plan before going in. What are you going in for? What is the Navy going to train you to do? You need to have a plan friend if you don't you could really regret giving up six years to clean latrines and paint ships.

My nephew went in and got a lot out of the Navy. They are paying for most of his schooling now that he is out.

My nephew also played bass and was able to hook up with some shipmates and jam with other people all the time. He had no problem finding people to jam with in the Navy.

leadfootbassman · #7 12-06-2005, 10:15 AM

I did 20 years in the Navy which, I will be the first to admit, is not for everyone. I was involved with bands (or just a bunch of guys that wanted to jam) on every command that I was stationed at.

If you're going in for 6 years, I'm assuming that you have a school or program guaranteed?

I don't regret being in the Navy. I visited countries all over the world, some of which a lot of people have never heard of. I got some incredible training in my field (communications electronics).
But, there is a lot of BS that goes along with the good. If you go in, make everything out of it that you can. Get as many schools in your field that you can. And you can apply/audition to go to the Navy Music school when they have an opening.

If you have any questions, feel free to PM or email me. I won't BS you like a lot of recruiters tend to do.

WillBuckingham · #8 12-06-2005, 10:22 AM

Check out this website.

Have you already committed to joining the Navy? I couldn't quite figure that out from your initial post.

**Pacman** · #9 12-06-2005, 10:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninefingerbass

I called two weeks ago and was informed that I can't audition unless they have a spot but after reading and reviewing all the requirments I think I would pass.

I bet a recruiter told you that. It's total BS. Call an actual military band, and talk to them. All bands allow you to audition first, sign later.

PM me if you don't get anywhere.

ninefingerbass · #10 12-06-2005, 12:27 PM

Well I called the administrator for the Navy Music School and he told me that.

Will-I already commited kinda. I leave for Boot Feb. 6. You should reread my post.

I'm going in as an AECF, Yes I have school guaranteed thats why it's so long. I do have a plan.

{short version}
-enlist
-serve
-travel
-learn
6 years later
-Gi Bill and savings fund and Bonuses invested in a home and studio and school
-my life as a bassist

thats my plan pretty much in a nut shell.

haujobb · #11 12-06-2005, 01:26 PM

Sounds like a good plan, I hope it all works out for you.

Bard2dbone · #12 12-06-2005, 01:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninefingerbass

I joined the Navy...snip...I leave for boot camp on Feb. 6, 2006. But I dont want to go. I know I dont have to but ..:

Sorry man, but if you have already sworn, then you are already IN the navy. If I understood your post properly, you can't back out now.

But, again. You can try for an MU billet. One of the guys in my boot company was going in as an MU. He had a masters degree in music going in.

**Pacman** · #13 12-06-2005, 04:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninefingerbass

Well I called the administrator for the Navy Music School and he told me that.

Will-I already commited kinda. I leave for Boot Feb. 6. You should reread my post.

I'm going in as an AECF, Yes I have school guaranteed thats why it's so long. I do have a plan.

{short version}
-enlist
-serve
-travel
-learn
6 years later
-Gi Bill and savings fund and Bonuses invested in a home and studio and school
-my life as a bassist

thats my plan pretty much in a nut shell.

You can also:

- enlist
- serve
- take lessons WHILE you're in
- audition for mil band
- change career fields
- have life as military musician (where you don't have to hussle $50 gigs...)

AxtoOx · #14 12-06-2005, 04:20 PM

You can back out till your sworn in in boot camp, at least that's the way it was in the Air Force, they made a big joke out of it right after they swore us in, and I had sworn in twice before that. That being said, I would not trade my Air Force years for the world, I had a blast. I have a house I wouldn't otherwise have too boot. I could never have saved for the down payment being a single parent.(Yes there are male single parents). There are other benefits also.
I had many musician freinds in the service, some even played in bands. Remeber Jimi played alot while he was airborne.
I can only speak for myself, but if it were me, I'd go in. You'll have your bass back after 8 weeks.

syciprider · #15 12-06-2005, 04:22 PM

As an aside about going to school. You will have plenty of opportunities to go to school while still serving. Tuition is 100% covered by the Navy and you just have to buy the books. Your problem will be finding the time to go to school. But remember that overtime is always authorized.

Anyway, welcome aboard shipmate. I'll see you in the fleet.

IOW, your @$$ is mine.

bluemonk · #16 12-06-2005, 04:54 PM

I think there's a pink elephant in the room that no one is mentioneing: We are at war. What are your views about the war? Do you know much about the war, or only jingles you've heard on the media? What do you think about the political positions connected to the war? Do you know much about Islam or its history? Do you know much about the history of the US and the Middle East? I think you should make up your mind based on these questions. IF you don't have views or positions, you need to do a lot of reading before going into war.
Also, have you seen Jarhead?

AxtoOx · #17 12-06-2005, 05:57 PM

The Navy is not seeing much action right now, usless your a SEAL or a Corpsman. I thought we were to keep politics off the board so I'll keep the rest to myself.

syciprider · #18 12-06-2005, 08:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bluemonk

I think there's a pink elephant in the room that no one is mentioneing: We are at war. What are your views about the war? Do you know much about the war, or only jingles you've heard on the media? What do you think about the political positions connected to the war? Do you know much about Islam or its history? Do you know much about the history of the US and the Middle East? I think you should make up your mind based on these questions. IF you don't have views or positions, you need to do a lot of reading before going into war.
Also, have you seen Jarhead?

We all know there is a pink elephant in the room. But TPA is closed that is why we DON'T talk about it.

But feel free to PM my new shipmate.

The Golden Boy · #19 12-06-2005, 09:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

You can also:

- enlist
- serve
- take lessons WHILE you're in
- audition for mil band
- change career fields
- have life as military musician (where you don't have to hussle $50 gigs...)

There was a dude in one of my old units who was either a tanker or a cav scout who was a hellova trumpet player, he changed MOS after trying out for the band.

leadfootbassman · #20 12-07-2005, 10:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ninefingerbass

Well I called the administrator for the Navy Music School and he told me that.

Will-I already commited kinda. I leave for Boot Feb. 6. You should reread my post.

I'm going in as an AECF, Yes I have school guaranteed thats why it's so long. I do have a plan.

{short version}
-enlist
-serve
-travel
-learn
6 years later
-Gi Bill and savings fund and Bonuses invested in a home and studio and school
-my life as a bassist

thats my plan pretty much in a nut shell.

AECF? Sounds like an aviation rate to me, which means you'll most likely end up on a carrier which also means that you'll have plenty of people to jam with.

I was on submarines and still managed to find people and space to jam.

As far as the war goes, the Navy sits in the Gulf and plays lifeguard/mobile air field. Not a lot of action, just being there for 6 months at a shot.