Note: Band is a special enlistment program. Applicants must pass a very rigorous audition process to enlist in the Navy Band rating.
The Navy Band Member supervises an instrumental section and plays an instrument as a musician in a military band. Band members are assigned to one of the Navy's two Premiere bands The United States: Navy Band Washington, DC, or the Naval Academy Band in Annapolis MD. They can also be assigned to one of the twelve fleet bands. Band members perform virtually every idiom from Sousa marches to MTV-from Broadway to symphonic wind ensemble-from contemporary rock to big band jazz, and from blue grass to baroque.
As a member of a Navy Band, your performances might include presidential inaugurations; parades down Main Street USA or the Avenue des Champs Elysees in Paris; military ceremonies on the White House lawn or aboard carriers out at sea; public shows and concerts as well as live radio and television broadcasts.
Working Environment
Band members spend a sigificant amount of time traveling within the band's area of responsibility (AOR) to conduct performances. This job is travel intensive.
A-School (Job School) Information
School of Music at Little Creek, VA for 150 calendar days.
ASVAB Score Requirement: There is no minimum ASVAB score for this rating, but applicants must pass a very rigorous audition process to qualify.
Security Clearance Requirement: None required.
Other Requirements
Following graduation from A-School, you'll be assigned to one of the Navy Bands located throughout the continental United States, Hawaii, Japan and Italy. The needs of the Navy along with your personal preferences determine your individual assignment location.
Sub-Specialties Available for This Rating: Navy Enlisted Classification Codes for MU
Current Manning Levels for This Rating: CREO Listing
Note: Advancement ( promotion ) opportunity and career progression are directly linked to a rating's manning level (i.e., personnel in undermanned ratings have greater promotion opportunity than those in overmanned ratings).
Sea/Shore Rotation for This Rating
MU is a shore-intestive community. Sailors in shore-intensive communities do not have career paths defined by sea shore flow. Musicians will be assigned to one of the various Navy bands throughout their career. Musicians can expect at least one tour assignment to a Navy band located overseas during their career and are required to maintain world-wide assignability. Although classified as Type 1 Shore Duty, musicians assigned in the Continental United States (CONUS) are subject to frequent and extensive TAD (temporary assignment duty) within their AOR and are considered deployable units. Musicians assigned to bands outside of the CONUS are subject to shipboard and ground-based deployment within their AOR and require operational duty screening.
Much of the above information courtesy of the Navy Personnel Command
