Army Civilian Aquired Skills Program (ACASP)
To qualify for MOS: 02
Titled: Army Band
With later appointment to: E4 or E5
The following criteria must be met:
1. Before enlistment.
a. For all bands, applicants must-
1. Meet basic eligibility criteria for enlistment as modified by this Enlistment Option.
2. Meet bands technical proficiency requirements prescribed in Paragraph 4. Although applicants must complete AIT, personnel meeting these requirements have acquired civilian skills and are eligible for the ACASP. However, award of bands MOS will not be accomplished before completion of AIT as certified by he Commandant, U.S. Army element, School of Music.
3. Be auditioned and recommended for enlistment by an Army band's representative as prescribed in Paragraphs 3 and 4. This audition requirement applies to prior service applicants when not enlisting under ACASP, to include applicants who hold bands MOS.
b. For The U.S. Army Band and 3d Infantry (the Old Guard) Fife and Drum Corps, meet prerequisites for assignment to Presidential support activities (AR 380-67).
c. For airborne division band, meet prerequisites listed in Chapter 9, enlistment program 9-B.
d. For overseas band, meet prerequisites for voluntary overseas service under AR 614-30.
e. For the 3d Infantry (the Old Guard) Fife and Drum Corps:
1. Undergo an extensive background investigation and receive approval for White House duty.
2. Maintain standards of personal behavior, professional competence, loyalty, and integrity required for continued assignment and duty with the Old Guard. After enlistment.
a. For all bands, applicants must-
1. Successfully complete BT if required. (Provisions of AR 612-201 apply for persons with PS.)
2. Successfully compete any bands training to which assigned.
3. Qualify for retention in bandsman assignment by satisfactory performance of duty and technical competence, as determined by bandmaster of unit to which assigned.
b. For airborne division band, pass applicable physical fitness test and satisfactorily complete airborne training.
c. For overseas band, meet qualifications for assignment to overseas area under AR614-30. Information for applicants. a. travel performed before enlistment for auditioning purposes will be at the expense of the Government provided physical and mental tests have already been administered.
b. Applicants who pass bandsman audition and are recommended for enlistment by the proper bandmaster, as indicated below, may enlist for a specific vacancy in any Army band. Applicants enlisting initially for a specific band other than a special band or U.S. Army element, School of Music (USAESOM) will be required to fulfill the obligation to that band before reassignment.
1. Special bands and USAESOM: The Army Bands (TUSAB); U.S. Army Field Band (USAFB); U.S. Military Academy Band (USMAB); USAESOM; and the 3d Infantry 9the Old Guard) Fife and Drum Corps. Applicants must be auditioned by the special band or USAESOM in which enlistment is desired. After completion of 4 months of active service, persons may be appointed, on recommendation of the respective bandmaster or commandant, to the minimum authorized grade of the unit without regard to time in grade or position vacancies, as follows:
a. Pay grade E-6: USAFB, USAESOM, and 3d Infantry 9The Old Guard) Fife and Drum Corps. Members of the 3d Infantry (The Old Guard) Fife and Drum Corps will be appointed to the minimum authorized grade (indicated above) not sooner than completing 4 months active Federal service (AFS) from the date of current enlistment and not later than 10 months AFS from date of current enlistment. This will allow for individual variance in fulfilling the proficiency of unique ceremonial requirements. Ceremonial qualifications for the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps are to attain a high level of proficiency on specific antiquated instrument, whether fife, bugle, or rudimental drum; successfully memorize and skillfully play all music in the current repertoire; and master 18th century marching drill and memorize all drill routines performed by The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps.
b. Pay grade E-5: USMAB. 2. MACOM bands (pay grade E-4).
a. Applicants must be auditioned by the Commander of MACOM bands prior to enlistment commitment. CONAR Band, Headquarters, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command (HQ, TRADOC), Fort Monroe, VA, DSN 680-3888 or Comm 804-727-3888; 214th Army Band, HQ Forces Command (FORSCOM), Fort McPherson, GA, DSN 572-3963 or Comm 404-752-3963; and 33d Army Band, HW, USAREUR. (Commanders of the CONAR and the 214th Army Bands are authorized to accept auditions on behalf of the Cdr, 33d Army Band.)
b. Upon completion of required bands training, persons recommended by the Commandant, USAESOM, may be appointed to pay grade E-4 without regard to time in grade or service or position vacancies. Cite "AR 601-210" as the promotion authority.
c. Applicants accepted to a specific MACOM band will be guaranteed assignment to that band for 1 year after arrival at the unit. d. Applicants may be retained at the MACOM band guaranteed under this option after completion of 1 year, or may be reassigned to another MACOM band as directed in accordance with the needs of the Army. Applicants will be assigned only to MACOM bands during this enlistment period, provided their musical skills are maintained at an acceptable level for MACOM bands.
3. Specific bands: Any authorized Army division or separated band (AR220-90). a. Applicants will be auditioned by the nearest Army bandmaster certified to perform auditions.
a. On completion of required bands training, as certified by Commandant, USAESOM, persons recommended by the Commandant may be appointed to pay grade E-4 without regard to time in grade or service or position vacancies. (Cite this regulation paragraph as promotion authority.)
b. Women may be enlisted for any Army band.
c. Applicants enlisted for an airborne band will undergo airborne training required when bandsman training has been completed. Enlistment for an airborne band constitutes a dual option. If enlistee fails to complete airborne training satisfactorily, the person will be assigned to a non-airborne band.
d. The general characteristics of the School of Music Course-of- Study will be explained by the auditioning bandmaster. This includes a review of the school's purpose, scope and prerequisites given in DA Pam 351-4 and a review of the MOS description 9AR 611-201) or the instrument involved. More information may be obtained from the commandant, USAESOM, (DSN 680-7507 OR Comm 804-464- 7507/08).
e. If the band to which a person is assigned or attached under this option is deployed, relocated, reorganized, or redesignated before expiration of guaranteed minimum period of assignment, the person will remain assigned to the band. If the band is inactivated, disbanded, or discontinued, the person will be reassigned according to the needs of the Army.
f. Persons who fail to meet any of the established prerequisites or become medically or otherwise disqualified for training or duty will not be assigned to band duty. These persons will be trained and assigned according to the needs of the Army and required to complete the term of service for which enlisted.
g. PS applicants required to repeat BT will be so advised under AR 612-201.
h. Enlistee may elect to waive band pre-commitment at any time. In such cases the soldier will be assigned and used to meet the needs of the Army. Processing procedures.
a. Applicant interview. If applicant is otherwise eligible for enlistment, the Army guidance counselor will interview applicant to establish eligibility for enlistment for this option. Guidance counselor will-
1. Determine specific bandsman assignment that applicant desires.
2. Ensure that procedures are followed for applicants for the U.S. Army Band and the 3d Infantry 9The Old Guard) fife and Drum Corps (Paragraph 1).
3. Before arranging for auditioning for specific instrument, ensure that desired band MOS is available for enlistment of NPS or PS applicants as appropriate.
4. Arrange date and time for applicant to audition as follows:
a. Army bands (general). Contact nearest Active Army bandmaster of SGM, Army Bands (DSN 221-5098 or Comm 202-325-5098).
b. MACOM bands. Contact the SGM, Army Bands, (DSN 221-5098 or Comm 202-325-5098) or, if known, the MACOM band for which enlistment is desired.
c. Special bands. Contact special band for which enlistment is desired.
d. Instructor duty at USAESOM. Contact Commandant, U.S. Army Element, School of Music, Naval Amphibious Base (Little Creek), Norfolk, VA 23521 (DSN 680-7507/08, Comm 804-464-7507/08).
b. Audition procedure.
1. Auditioners. Army Band Officers 9Specialty Code 42C), Warrant Officer Bandmasters 9Specialty Code 420C), and Band Sergeants Major/Band First Sergeants (MOS 02Z5) personally will interview and conduct auditions for potential band members. This authority will not be delegated further without the approval of the Chief, Army Bands.
2. Audition materials. a. Each unit (band) will develop an audition book of representative music, according to the guidance found in the Audition Procedures Manual for Bands of the Army, Marine Corps, and Navy for each MOS.
b. DA Form 1633-R (Band Audition Record), will be used to report audition results for all MOS.
c. Record copy of the applicable DA Form 1633-R will be maintained by the unit (band) giving the audition. Additionally, a copy will be forwarded to the recruiter who requested the audition. A copy of the form is located at the back of AR 614-200 for reproduction purposes.
3. Audition results.
a. Applicants must achieve a score of 2.3, as defined in the Audition Procedures Manual for Bands of the Army, Marine Corps, and Navy, to meet minimum technical proficiency requirements. Applicants who fail to meet these requirements will be told by the auditioner that they did not meet the minimum standards at the time of the audition. The auditioner will also notify the recruiter.
b. After conducting the audition, the auditioner will contact the DA Band Representative and report the score achieved. The DA Representative will consult the current cutoff chart and tell the auditioner whether the score attained is sufficient to enter the Army. If the score is sufficient to enter the Army, the DA Band Representative will issue a control number at that time and the auditioner will place the control number on the DA Form 1633-R and complete the form.
c. DA Form 1633-R will not be addressed to nor hand carried by applicants. It will be dispatched by name and grade to requesting recruiter. Forms that are not assigned a control number by the DA Band Representative will be considered invalid for purpose of enlistment. d. Copy of each DA Form 1633-R, whether a pass or a fail, will be furnished to the DA Band Representative.
4. Assignment commitments.
a. Should the applicant choose not to enlist in CMF 97, then the guidance counselor will contact Band Accessions Manager, U.S. PERSCOM, to verify the applicant's control number and to notify the DA Band Representative that the applicant has chosen not to enlist in CMF 97, thereby freeing the control number for another applicant.
b. For personnel enlisting for service in a special band (The U.S. Army Band (Pershing's Own), The U.S. Army Field Band, or the U.S. Military Academy Band or the Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps), the DA Form 1633-R will not be issued. A letter signed by the Commander or his representative from the unit for which enlistment is desired, will be used in place of the form. The letter will indicate the applicant's name, date of audition, and whether the applicant passed the audition. The signed letter will be forwarded to the applicant's recruiter for further processing. A copy of the letter will also be furnished to the DA Band Representative. The following sentence will be included in the body of the letter: this letter is issued in lieu of the DA Form 1633-R (Band Audition Record). For further information, contact the DA Band Representative.
c. Applicants who successfully pass the audition will be actively assisted by the bandmaster in contacting the appropriate recruiting personnel. In all cases, the auditioning band master will contact recruiting personnel with audition results. Even though it is usually more advantageous for the individual to contact an Army recruiter and guidance counselor and undergo test batteries at MEPS before auditioning, this is not mandatory. However, to have travel funded by the Government, the person must process with the local Army recruiter or guidance counselor in advance of scheduled audition.
d. A band commander or band master who finds a prospect for enlistment in CMF 97 who actually enlists may, upon request, have the enlistee assigned to his or her band for a minimum of 1 year following completion of AIT regardless of unit vacancies provided the MOS in which enlisting is a shortage Army-wide. The individual may, during processing, opt for either the auditioning band (if accepted in shortage MOS), or another band which shows a need for that MOS. (Contact Bands Branch to establish MOS is a shortage.)
5. Validity period. An audition result will remain valid for 45 days. The individual must enlist or DEP during that period. DEP dropouts must reaudition.
6. DEP. Persons enlisting under this option may enter DEP for up to a 365-day period. For persons electing DEP of over 90 days, 'Army Bands, Unassigned" will be used; for those electing DEP of 90 days or less, a unit-or-choice will be negotiated with the Bands Central Accessions Manager, PERSCOM. As an added incentive for persons in the 'Army Bands, Unassigned," Bands Central Accessions Manager will renegotiate with the guidance counselor for a unit-of-choice when that person comes within 90 days of basic active service date (BASD). It must be noted, however, that this action must be initiated by the person through h is or her guidance counselor. (Telephone number of the Bandsman Centralized Accessions Manager is in c(1) below.)
c. Processing after audition.
1. All requests for enlistment for bands will be coordinated between the MEPS guidance counselor and the Bands Central Accession Manager, PERSCOM (DAPC-EPM-A), WASH, DC 22331-0400, DSN 221-8337/8078; Comm 202-325-8337/8078. During MINIMIZE, electrical message will be used.
2. Enlistment for an Army band in Europe will be coordinated with HWDA, as noted in (1) above. Enlistment commitment will state "Army Bands, USAREUR," as opposed to identifying a specific band. Final band assignment will be determined on person's arrival in Europe.
3. Except for Special Band enlistees, and those determined by Chief, Army Bands to be highly qualified, prospective bandsmen will attend advanced individual training (DOI 450-F1) at the U.S. Army Element School of Music. Waivers for highly qualified enlistees may be requested, in writing, to Chief, Army Bands, ATTN: ATZI-AB, Fort Benjamin Harrison, IN 46216-5070, by the band commander or band master who auditions the applicants. Enclosures to the request will include the taped WFPS and the individual's resume. Enlistees receiving AIT waivers will be granted constructive credit for AIT in the form of a DA Training certificate from Commandant, U.S. Army Element, School of Music.
Information from Army Regulation 601-210
