is being a rocking/touring bassist in the military possible?

WarofAges · #1 06-17-2008, 03:26 AM

I really dont see how it could work. I've always wanted to join the marines, my uncle was force recon and i've always looked up to him. My birthday is November 10th, the same day as the Marine Corps birthday, and i've been upsesed with the marines ever since i heard of the scout/sniper program..something ive wanted to try since i was twelve. Ive been around guns my whole life and im a great shot.

When i turned 18, still in highschool but I had just got kicked out by my dad, I started talking to the recruiters. It didnt seem to bad, as a private you make about the same as some one working full time at minimum wage.

The recruiters didnt talk me into, I knew I wanted to, I just wanted a few in depth details about Marine Corps life, but I told them I was ready to make the commitment.

The weekend I was supposed to go down to Sacremento to the MEPS was the weekend my friend Jake asked me to play bass for his band Blood of Cain. I was dumb founded. I have been a fan of this band for years and they are considered the biggest band to come out of Chico...(matter of fact, our song bloody bones was rated the most destructive song in Chico).

I blew off my recruiter and stopped talking to him and starting playing shows all over with my new band. this was about 3 or 4 months ago, and the urge to join the Marines(or any other military branch) grows as I have been looking for a job for 6 months and my mom is moving and i will be homeless again.

I jsut dont know what to do seeing how both my dreams collide with each other and I dont see how they could be possible together. I am going on tour in august all over the pacific, something i have never experience before and i know i will have alot of fun.

I dont want to ruin my chances with this band because i think we have potential. I blew off joining the marines for this band...but now the urge is coming back. I grew in a military life and it is calling me...almost every one in my family has been in the military(even aunts and my cousin, she just became a fighter pilot), and i am the only serious musicians on both sides of my famliy.

I am a musicians first. music is my life and my only hobby.

does any body know how I feel or what im talking about?

fenderhutz · #2 06-17-2008, 03:50 AM

Talk to PacMan. The Mod, not the yellow dot eating thing.

Matt_W · #3 06-17-2008, 04:20 AM

The thing about becoming an adult is that you realise life is all about concessions, you can't always do everything you want, but you are in the lucky position of being able to fulfil one of your dreams - some people don't even get that.

Only you can make this decision, but asking for advice is a great start. Personally, I would choose being a bassist for that band, as if it doesn't work out you could still join the marines.

casualmadness · #4 06-17-2008, 04:34 AM

Try the band thing. If it doesn't work out, then go see a recruiter. The Marines aren't going anywhere. However, they do have an age limit. IIRC it's 27 at time of enlistment.
If you can sight read really well, and I mean really well, go see a recruiter and ask about auditioning for the President's own Marine Corps Band. I had a buddy who did that. He is a drummer. He went through all of his initial training (boot, camp, AIT, MCT) then he went to his duty station and his job was to play the drums for eight hours a day. Plus, he got to tour the world playing at embassies and bases and whatnot.
Now, if you can't sight read, learn. They won't give you time of day if you cant' read.

playinpearls · #5 06-17-2008, 05:10 AM

i'd say hit up the marines. I'm 27, married, and due in 2 weeks. Its the one thing right now that i wished I had done, even for just 2 years. I almost went in anyway, but there is one look that your wife can give you that will make you do (or not do) anything...so I passed... Everything else can wait....get it out of the way now, you never know, you might make a nice career out of it....the pay is great once you get up there...

**Pacman** · #6 06-17-2008, 05:51 AM

If you can read really well, hit up the recruiters about the Marine Band program. Unless you're unbelievably talented (and play acoustic), don't even think about the President's Own. (Interestingly, they're the only military musicians that don't go to basic training - at all!)

All the services have bands, and it's a great gig. But unfortunately, the situation you're describing is doomed to failure. Inevitably, your military commitments and your band commitments will clash, and the military wins every time.

casualmadness · #7 06-17-2008, 06:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

Unless you're unbelievably talented (and play acoustic), don't even think about the President's Own. (Interestingly, they're the only military musicians that don't go to basic training - at all!)

My friend played drums in the President's Own. He said that he still had to go to boot camp and MCT. I dont' think he went to AIT though because he already had the skills so the Corps didn't need to train him. But I know that he went to boot camp. He said that the day he arrived at his first duty station they pinned him E-6 because he had the skills before joining so the USMC didn't have to train him.

**Pacman** · #8 06-17-2008, 06:45 AM

From the USMB's website (here):

Quote:

Originally Posted by USMC Band

Marine Band members are the only members of the U.S. Armed Services not required to undergo recruit training.

Maybe your friend didn't go directly to the President's Own, or maybe he didn't go at all...

Edit: maybe he played drums in the Drum and Bugle Corps...which is the Commandant's Own

syciprider · #9 06-17-2008, 06:56 AM

What will pick up hotter chicks?

"Hi I'm a bass player"

or

"Hi I'm a sniper"

?

chuckjones93 · #10 06-17-2008, 07:09 AM

I can tell you, from personal experience, that recruiters will tell you you can play in bands. But it BS! The guys that play in military bands are the exception to the rule. I'd say do the band thing for awhile, then join the Marines if you still want to. I did my time in the Suck during the first Gulf War, so it would be easy for me to say stay away from the Corp. But I also know what it's like to long for something like that. Just don't think your going to be able to the band thing and the Corp at the same time. Good luck

casualmadness · #11 06-17-2008, 07:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pacman

From the USMB's website (here):

Maybe your friend didn't go directly to the President's Own, or maybe he didn't go at all...

Edit: maybe he played drums in the Drum and Bugle Corps...which is the Commandant's Own

Touche` salesman...

I know that he was in the USMC. I saw pictures and video of his boot camp graduation. Maybe he started as Drum and Bugle Corps and then later was in the President's Own. Maybe he lied to me...

I know for a fact he was in the USMC because I saw the graduation. And I know that he was a drummer because I had the same recruiter (I was thinking of joining the USMC back then

) and the recruiter told me that he had recruited this guy to be a drummer. And a few years later, he told me that he was a drummer in the President's Own. So that tells me either, A.) He lied about the President's Own. Or B.) Maybe he spent time in the Drum and Bugle Corps and then tried out for and got into the President's Own. I'm not sure.
Either way, it sounded like a sweet gig. Much better than C-rats and MREs at a FOB in the middle of nowhere.

Risen Ashes · #12 06-17-2008, 08:15 AM

Get a job that will get you by for now, go on tour in August-see what happens with the band-if you make it big with them great. If not then see your recruiter. I also had a similar situation but not so much music driven...I've had opportunities to progress my career and Im just starting out. I have thought hard about Army or Marine Reserves but my thing is that I may be gone for months or a year-and that would impede on career goals...at this point some of my friends were in the Navy S.E.A.L.s program-and backed out for a marriage (that didn't work out) and many who were going to the military decided to become Firefighters/Medics here in Florida.

After seeing what they do now I have a lot of respect for it and that is my number 2. Becoming a Fireman/Medic. Honestly go after your number 1 passion first. I have a future in being involved with making decisions to help constituents get more efficiency from government and thats my passion...and thats what the dream Im chasing now...The military is great but if you want to play bass...play bass

Bob Clayton · #13 06-17-2008, 12:13 PM

i can't see a band with the name "blood of cain" making it anywhere big time.

i'd say the military will a more stable life.

WarofAges · #14 06-17-2008, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob Clayton

i can't see a band with the name "blood of cain" making it anywhere big time.

i'd say the military will a more stable life.

wow, thanks man.

WarofAges · #15 06-17-2008, 02:11 PM

bass is my first passion, but i need to think for my future. I am broke, I want to go to college(i cant get financial aid because my dad makes to much money, but he won't help me) i have no credit or co-signer, so when my mom moves i am screwed because i couldnt find a place to live on my own. It was cool when i was 16, but i dont wanna couch surf now.
I could move to reno with my brother, but there goes playing with my band.

I dunno, thanks for the guidance, i'm gunna have to think long and about some things

Bob Clayton · #16 06-17-2008, 02:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WarofAges

wow, thanks man.

wasn't mean to be condescending.

i'm just saying that i sampled the music, and regardless of my personal tastes (i happen to like it) death metal doesn't sell out arenas and lead to multi million dollar contracts very often, you know what i mean?

WarofAges · #17 06-17-2008, 03:01 PM

ksandvik · #18 06-17-2008, 03:09 PM

Whatever you do, just think long term and stick to it, focus on it. You could get to college, even with little/no money, just if you are focused and take one step at a time. To start with you need some kind of income...

Bass playing is nice, but in this age and time the future of being a full-time professional is a rare event. Don't rely on that, unless you have work lined up for the next five years or so. --Kent

neurotictim · #19 06-17-2008, 04:13 PM

I don't do the touring thing, but I'm in a local band (we have a lot of scheduling conflicts, but we do get the occasional gig) and it works quite well - I'm also in the Navy. I just had to make it plain that my duty days were off-limits, as well as extended tours (I can take leave for a few weeks if the right opportunity comes along), and that the Navy comes first.

If you're dead-set on playing with Blood of Cain, you're probably better off sticking with them - if and when it falls through, the military will still take you. And you can find a band at virtually any duty station in the world - I know a guy that started a band while stationed in Baghdad for 13 months - certainly helped him cope.

tavi · #20 08-21-2008, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neurotictim

And you can find a band at virtually any duty station in the world - I know a guy that started a band while stationed in Baghdad for 13 months - certainly helped him cope.

yeah, im doing the same right now. trying to get the recording equipment right now.