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Air Force Band - Bass Opening

#61
airmanjerm said:
I've been in the Air Force Bands over 10 years, and Pacman has nearly 25 years combined in the Army and Air Force band programs. Natbers has been in for close to 10 years as well.
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Dr_Funkdamental said:
As an Army bandsman of 11 yrs
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Those of you on the fence, this tells you how often this opportunity will come up. Across two branches.

Dr_Funkdamental said:
Ive made quite a few Air Force band friends and gotta say them cats dont ever look stressed at all LOLOL.
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Seriously...argh. 38. Torture :)

I bumped into a YouTube clip of them jamming "The Chicken".

Looks like a blast!
 
#65
In 1974 I auditioned on trombone and made the Navy musicians school...I was in the "delayed entry" program so that meant from the time I signed up until I actually went to boot camp was about 5 months....in that time I decided that going to music school wasn't for me and went into Avionics instead...myself and a friend went in at the same time, he decided to stick it out and go the music route...in 5 years, I was an E6 (1st Class Petty Officer Avionics Technician) and in 6, I was a Chief Petty officer. and he, E4, 3rd Class PO musician, even after 6 years. It wasn't that he was a bad sailor or musician, but being a Navy musician, one had practically wait for the guy that out ranked you to either die or retire before you could make rank....I was in the same amount of time as my friend and by the time we both got out,I was making more than twice the amount of money he was making....
I had a blast doing what I was doing, flying as an aircrew member, seeing the world...my friend...stuck in Rota Spain for 4 years...
I got to play almost as much as I wanted (when I wanted) and even tossed the 'bone and learned to play bass...I found I got more chix that way :smug:
That was my experience...the Air Force may be different.
 
#66
timmus, even the Navy is different at this point. That was 35 years ago...

But yeah, the Air Force is different.
 
#68
No, ASVAB score has nothing to do with your pay. That's based on your job, and promotion within that job.
 
#69
Asvab just tells you and your recruiter what you have the potential for being good at, plus a great asvab score will help you get into better military schools...or at least that's the way it was 35 years ago...I had very high scores in math and science so I got into Advanced Electronic school...I could've gotten into the Nuclear end of things but submarines weren't my cup-o-tea and there was no way an avionics tech was going on a sub unless he was visiting a friend while they were in port....many of my nuclear path friends ended up on subs or the bowels of a nuclear carrier.
 
#72
sykes of christ-

I'm no recruiter, so I can't tell you with any authority about whether your previous felony drug charges would affect you enlisting in the USAF. My gut says that you would not be allowed. My best advice for you would be to contact a recruiter and JUST ASK THAT QUESTION...nothing else. Don't let them try to sweet talk you into anything. Who knows, you may be surprised!
 
#73
I spent 7 years with the U.S. Army Field Band and got out because I was 25 and had a wife (now ex) that hated it. I should have divorced her and kept the gig. I am gonna be 49 next month and am too old to go back in. Go figure, If I did my 13 to get to 20 I would retire at 62... Some one give me a waiver.

 
#74
Navy Musician of 5 years here.

About the felony drug charges, one of my friends was in line behind a guy at MEPS (Military Entrance Processing Station) who got accepted with waivers for drug charges. Don't know how serious or anything like that, but they definitely have waivers for things like that - talking to a recruiter and being up front is the best way to find out. But like natbers78 said - don't let them talk you into anything (that you don't want to do).
 
#75
Great read!

It's tempting. I double, did three years of conservatory, play professionally in the non-equity theatre scene here, and work retail...the idea of making my living playing music instead is very appealing.

I'm going to keep the Air Force Bands in mind. It's the idea of losing my connections in this area that makes me cringe. However, the idea of making a living (and paying down my school loan debt) playing music is extremely appealing. If an Air Force Band near Chicago happens to end up having openings...I'll be in a very tough place, like I'd probably at least do the audition.
 
#76
airmanjerm said:
Hello Bass Players:

The US Air Force Band of the Golden West has a vacancy for a Bass Guitar/Double Bass player. This organization is located at Travis Air Force Base in Fairfield, CA, just east of the San Francisco Bay Area, and also near Napa Valley and Sacramento.

Applicants should be well-rounded performers, capable of performing styles including classical, rock, and jazz. You must also be able to read music, including lead sheets/changes and traditional written notation.

To apply, send a resume and a CD containing sample recordings of your playing to:

USAF Band of the Golden West
ATTN: SSgt Jeremy Martin, Auditions Coordinator
551 Waldron Street
Travis AFB CA 94535

It's highly recommended to include a variety of styles (including some doubls bass music) on the submitted recording. Materials should be received by September 24, 2010. Those selected as semifinalists for the audition will be notified and the audition will be held at Travis Air Force Base on October 18, 2010. More information about audition requirements may be found here:

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If selected for the position, you will work with a recruiter to attend Air Force Basic Training, an 8-week (not 6) period of indoctrination into the Air Force. Minimum enlistment is four years - at the end of those four years, you will have the opportunity to re-enlist.

After basic training you'll come directly to Travis AF Base - no tech school or other training to complete. You'll be able to pick whatever gear you'd like to use, and it will be provided for you.

RUMOR CONTROL: As a member of the Air Force Bands, you are a musician filling a position in an Air Force Band. You come to work, play your axe, go on occasional tours in our 5-state area (Washington, Oregon, California, Idaho, and Nevada), and enjoy playing bass for a living. It is not a "special duty assignment" that you'll only get to do for a while - it's your actual job. You can't and won't be pulled out of the band to guard planes in Iraq or have to learn some other military job. You are, however, a member of the US Air Force, and although that carries the responsibilities of being in the military, you also receive the associated benefits such as *free* healthcare, the G.I. Bill, and (if you make it your career) a retirement plan.

There is a possibility of being deployed overseas, but you would be deployed alongside other musicians to function as a musical group (most likely a rock band). During deployment you will perform for other troops -nothing else (not guarding planes, etc.). Those who have depoyed like this (such as Pacman here on TalkBass.com) report that it is one of the most rewarding experiences of their career. Length of these deployments is typically two months or less.

For more information, contact SSgt Jeremy Martin by email at [email protected]. You may also find the answers to some of your questions on the Air Force Bands website at:

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Thanks!
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Where was this during my recruitment process? Now I'm separated with a 2X reenlistment code..
 
#77
Soooo, uuhh.... are you guys still hiring?


Just kidding.... I've enjoyed reading this entire thread, especially the responses of my two former colleagues, Natbers and AirmanJerM. In fact, I was assigned at that band from 2005 to 2008, and NatBers took my place when I left.

The Air Force band program has been a good experience for me. Some good, some bad, but always interesting. Eighteen years ago, I took the audition on a whim and at the urging of my teacher. Look at me now... in two years I'll get a pension and I can get on with the rest of my life!
 
#78
When you deploy in the Air Force..... The food and living conditions are far better than what the Army schlubs get. ;0). Don't believe any of the negative BS from non Air Force bandsman in this thread. Being a military bandsman was a fantastic experience that I look back on fondly and miss with great nostalgia.
 
#79
I have a question about USAF bands that I hope one of the vets can answer.

I have been playing for over a decade and want to join a USAF band, but only have 6 years until I am no longer eligible to enlist. I attended music school in college, but did not finish. I want to go back and finish, but would it make more sense to just do private lessons with a high level player that are specifically geared towards fulfilling USAF audition/ability/performance requirements, if being in a USAF band is what I really want most? Does the USAF care about your education credentials at all? Is it used as a tie breaker if it is between me and a Berklee grad?

I need something to supplement what I'm doing now because my knowledge of jazz bass playing and sight reading is simply not on a professional level and I don't want to waste anyone's time. I'm just trying to put together a plan.

Of course I could go back to college AND do private lessons, but I have a family and want to use my time in the most efficient way possible.

I'm beginning to think that some of the extra college coursework that doesn't have much to do with playing ability won't really put me in a better position to pass an audition........and if I still have a strong desire to continue my education it's still there. Not to mention it would be paid for after fulfilling my military requirements.
 
#80
Education would not be used as a tie breaker in an AF Band audition. It is purely on the abilities of the player, and the "intangibles" like any audition: poise, attitude, appearance, etc. I'd see classical playing being the deciding factor in a tie before education. How's your upright?
 
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