I told my recruiter that I had been involved in band all throughout high school and college and he told me about the ceremonial recruit band in Cape May. I've seen some pictures of the band at a few graduations and I think it is definitely something I would like to volunteer or audition for (which ever is the proper process). I was wondering if anyone could give me some insight as to how much time away from your company you spend and what your company could be doing while you rehearse or perform. Thanks!

My brother played the trumpet and he said the time away was nice. He also played taps every night. Its nice to change it up at boot camp. I did the mail and my little walks all by myself to the mail room and back were interestingly amazing.

its usually an hour a night, plus graduation it self. not on weekends. yes your away from your company, miss out on some sweat sessions, but you arent able to march in with your company on your own grad, which was a bummer. theres a questionaire thet give you when you get there, if you put down that you play an instrument then you will be in band.

Go for it. My son was on the drill team and he enjoyed the time away. I will tell you the band is great to hear.

My son played in the recruit band as well. It sounded great.

I recommend you do anything you can to get away from your company. I did a work detail from 1800 to 1930. It was the best hour and a half of the day.

Recruit Band: your first day or two you full out an information sheet. The bottom right is where the band stuff is located. Bone up on music reading, and practice a bit before shipping out. You will probably have Bandmaster Burke if you ship in the near future.
During winter months practice is from 1830 to around 2000. Summer:0530- around 0700. Graduation on Friday is from 0930 to around 1300 (including chow).

Thanks for all the responses. I'm shipping three weeks from tomorrow so it looks like I will have him. It definitely seems that things like band and drill team are a nice "break" from the day's training.

danj25 - do you really not march with your company at your graduation? That sounds like a huge bummer.

Four,
It depends on the size of your company, and what Petty Officer Burke wants to do. I was Q-192 and the band only played Semper Paratus because the band was small and was not good enough. But you will have an outdoor graduation more than likely, so I have no insight.

four of a kind- correct i wasnt able too, it does depend on how many companies are at cape may. if there is enough people in the band, you may be able too, all depends on what PO Burke wants, but wait till week 8, when most of the CC's become nice. it is a nice break, but you still have to keep your military bearing and common sense about you. just because PO Burke is the bandmaster, he still is a CC and has companies. there are also non-rates that help teach band, you have to show respect to them as well.

I ship at the end of March and had a question related to the band; couldn't find my answer in any of the previously opened threads about it, but thought it better to continue this one than open a new one.