Yes, all of our musicians go to Basic Training. Here, Soldiers home in on teamwork and becoming as well-rounded as they can be. Basic Training is a 10-week course. Additionally, musicians need to attend the Army School of Music. Here we learn the Army model for a musician, how to best put on a performance and how to march! This is also a 10-week course.

Yes! Every Soldier gets assigned their own professional model instrument. Additionally, Soldiers can request mouthpieces, reeds, and various other equipment.

The band meets one weekend a month at Camp Smith in Cortlandt Manor, NY. National Guard units pride themselves on the fact that we are citizen-soldiers. Skills that we develop in our civilian lives directly help us complete our Army duties.

There is a chance that an Army band can be deployed. Some of our own Soldiers have deployed in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 3 in 2005. Since then, the band has not been deployed. When Army bands do get deployed it is our jobs to perform for other Soldiers on base to raise morale!

Because you need to audition to obtain this job it is part of the Civilian Acquired Skill Program. All musicians enlisting in the Army get fast tracked to the rank of Specialist (E-4).

As a member of the New York Army National Guard you are entitled to a lot of benefits. 100% tuition at SUNY and CUNY schools, a pension, extremely affordable health care and up to $50,000 in student loan repayment are just a few incredible benefits offered!