Advice

[Karen]

My daughter leaves on 9/9/--the recruiter was a little negative about the music aspect of the Navy. He said it was very competitve. My daughter is a great musician, piano player, band, world champion percussion ensemble...any advice for her when she gets to boot camp???

[Lori in the Northeast]

Yes,
As far as the Navy, unless she were going straight to the Navy Band in Washington DC, then there's little competitiveness, in fact many high school bands are better musicians. (my opinion as a musician). Make sure she understands that she will be there first and formost to serve her country, not to play piano, some bands place little emphasis on the "musicianship" at all. My son just came from a band like this. They were kept so busy doing "military" stuff, and not perfecting their MOS (MU). The band he is in now is far better musically and he is a world happier because of it. The tests they take are competitive. When she gets to boot camp, she will most likely be put in one of the 900 divisions which are noted to be tough.

[Lori in the Northeast]

Best wishes to your daughter by the way

[musicbabe48,Betty]

Hi Karen,
My name is Betty and I live in Lakewood, NY. My son Galen left for Boot Camp on Aug. 13. He is an excellent trumpet player who auditioned and was accepted. He finished BC in mid October and will then enroll in the Navy School of Music until a position opens. Galen's recruiter was very positive regarding the navy's musical groups. Good luck yo your daughter!
Tell her to audition and see if she can get into a group.

[Karen]

Hi Betty-
THanks for the advice-I will tell her to be listening/looking for the audition information. My daughter Marley leaves on September 9--I can't believe the time is almost here.

[Lisa Pedlar]

How is your daughter doing?

[Karen]

HI Lisa-
Well, it has been 3 weeks today and we have received 2 letters-no phone call yet. Both letters sounded really upbeat and positive. She is playing in the band they have at bootcamp but in the letters she didn't say anymore than that about the music. Hopefully I will get a phone call soon!!!!!