Music has a wide variety of applications, and it even finds itself playing a role in keeping the land of the free and the home of the brave a safer place. The Army Band has a rich history and continues to serve our country in many ways, including lifting morale and spreading patriotism. Soldiers who participate are challenged to continue this legacy and to push themselves to be not only the greatest fighters on the battlefield but also the best musicians that they can be.

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What Is the Army Band?

Does the Army have a band? Yes, the Army Band is a time-honored tradition of the American Armed Forces that continues to spread patriotism, build relationships with communities, serve during official commemorations, and more. There are plenty of bands within the U.S. Army, and they each work together to make the overall experience in the Army a better one. For over a century, the Army Band has been lifting spirits and helping American interests stay at the forefront of the world stage.

How Many Army Bands Are There?

There isn’t just one Army band; in fact, there are multiple. U.S. Army Bands make up four branches, and each has its own guidelines and goals. They are broken down into the following categories:

• 51 Army National Guard bands
• 20 active-duty regional bands
• 13 Army Reserve bands
• 4 Premier bands

Here is a running list of all of the organizations that make up the Army Bands you can find in the service:

• 100th Army Band
• 101st Airborne Division Band
• 101st Army Band
• 102nd Army Band
• 106th Army Band
• 108th Army Band
• 10th Mountain Division Band
• 111th Army Band
• 116th Army Band
• 11th Airborne Division Band
• 122nd Army Band
• 126th Army Band
• 129th Army Band
• 132nd Army Band
• 133rd Army Band
• 135th Army Band
• 13th Army Band
• 144th Army Band
• 145th Army Band
• 147th Army Band
• 151st Army Band
• 156th Army Band
• 188th Army Band
• 191st Army Band
• 195th Army Band
• 198th Army Band
• 1st Armored Division Band
• 1st Cavalry Division Band
• 1st Infantry Division Band
• 202nd Army Band
• 204th Army Band (MN)
• 204th Army Band (WA)
• 208th Army Band
• 215th Army Band
• 229th Army Band
• 234th Army Band
• 23rd Army Band
• 246th Army Band
• 248th Army Band
• 249th Army Band
• 257th Army Band
• 25th Army Band
• 25th Infantry Division Band
• 282nd Army Band
• 287th Army Band
• 28th Infantry Division Band
• 29th Infantry Division Band
• 300th Army Band
• 312th Army Band
• 313th Army Band
• 323rd Army Band "Fort Sam's Own"
• 338th Army Band (MI)
• 338th Army Band (OH)
• 34th Army Band
• 34th Infantry Division Band
• 35th Infantry Division Band
• 36th Infantry Division Band
• 380th Army Band
• 38th Infantry Division Band
• 395th Army Band
• 399th Army Band
• 39th Army Band
• 3rd Infantry Division Band
• 40th Army Band
• 40th Infantry Division Band
• 41st Army Band
• 42nd Infantry Division Band
• 43rd Army Band
• 440th Army Band
• 44th Army Band
• 484th Army Band
• 4th Infantry Division Band
• 56th Army Band
• 63rd Army Band
• 67th Army Band
• 721st Army Band
• 73rd Army Band
• 77th Army Band
• 78th Army Band (NJ)
• 78th Army Band (NY)
• 82nd Airborne Division Band
• 88th Army Band
• Army Musical Outreach
• Eighth Army Band
• The United States Army Band “Pershing's Own”
• The United States Army Field Band
• The United States Army Old Guard Fife & Drum Corps
• U.S. Army Japan Band
• U.S. Army Maneuver Center of Excellence Band
• U.S. Army School of Music
• U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command Band
• U.S. Military Academy Band
• USAREUR-AF Band and Chorus

The U.S. Army Field Band also has plenty of positions and instruments in use. Everything from brass instruments to guitars to percussion and more is available. Additionally, sound engineering roles work hard to bring it all together. However you serve, and no matter what instrument you play, there's likely a place for you in one of the most creative ways for a Soldier to serve their country.

The History and Purpose

On January 25, 1922, General John J. Pershing’s vision of bringing a band similar to what was seen during World War I in Europe back to America. Representing the United States, the Army Band has performed throughout the country and all over the world. Today, everything from boosting morale through songs, spreading patriotism at events around the world, and performing at official ceremonies fall within the duties of the various U.S. Army Bands.

Do Army Band Members Get Deployed?

It’s not often that members of the United States Army are deployed; however, it’s still a possibility. Being an Army Band musician means you’ll be the master of your craft, but you’ll also have to undertake combat basic training, just in case. It is the Army, after all.

How To Join Army Band

Army Band auditions are the perfect place to start your career, and prospective job seekers can see which roles are available online. Here’s how you get started:

• Let the U.S. Army know that you want to join.
• Set up your audition to show your skills.
• Afterward, you’ll be notified if you're selected. If you are, you will serve as either a Musician, Bands Officer, or Conductor.

It’s also important to understand that ranking can be different when serving in this manner, as well. Most members of the Army Band are not officers; however, the role still exists. As an Army Band Officer, you’ll work as associate conductor, administrator, and instructor at the Armed Forces School of Music, leading your band and continuing the traditions set before you. The Army Band isn’t exactly the most traditional way you’d think of serving as a Soldier, but it’s an important part of what makes our military work. Together, the bands continue to keep our spirits high and advance the interests of the United States.

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The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. Photo by Ken Scar U.S. Army Cadet Command (Army ROTC)