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There are many military bands in the United States military. Some are assigned to specific military bases or units; there are also bands at each of the service academies.

Seven bands are considered to be premier, with members selected by screened competitive audition prior to enlisting in the particular service. Members of these bands often come from prestigious conservatories and schools of music.

• United States Marine Band - established in 1798 by act of Congress, the Marine Band (nicknamed "The President's Own") is the oldest professional musical organization in the United States. It is well-known for its public performances (about 500 per year across the U.S.) and performances at the White House and Inauguration Day festivities. The United States Marine Band includes the Marine Band proper as well as the Marine Chamber Orchestra, and Marine Chamber Ensembles. John Philip Sousa led the Marine Band from 1880 to 1892. The Marine Band was headquartered at Marine Barracks at 8th Street and I Street in Washington, D.C. until September 2004, when it moved to the new Marine Barracks Annex and Marine Band Support Facility, located at 7th Street and Virginia Avenue.

• United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps - Officially established in 1934 as a field component to the Marine Corps Band, inspired by field musicians who passed orders from commanders to troops, the Drum and Bugle Corps (D&BC) is nicknamed "The Commandant's Own". It travels internationally to provide music and protection for the Commandant of the Marine Corps. The Drum and Bugle Corps was headquartered at Marine Barracks at 8th and I in Washington, D.C., at Truman Crawford Hall.

• United States Navy Band - Officially designated in 1925, the Navy Band is composed of 172 enlisted musicians and four officers. The organization is composed of a concert-ceremonial unit and four specialty units: the "Sea Chanters" chorus (1956), the "Commodores" jazz ensemble (1969), the "Country Current" country-bluegrass group (1973), and the "Cruisers" contemporary music ensemble (1999). The band also has several chamber music groups. The Navy Band is based in the Washington Navy Yard. Captain George N. Thompson is the current commander.

• United States Army Band - The Army Band was established on January 25, 1922, by Army Chief of Staff John J. Pershing, in emulation of European military bands he heard during World War I. In its early years, the band was featured on RCA, CBS, the Mutual Broadcasting Network, and other networks. The band also completed four national tours between 1928 and 1931 and was noted for its performances during a trip to Spain for the Ibero-American Exposition of 1929. In June 1943, the band was called overseas to perform in North Africa and in Europe during World War II. The band received a campaign streamer for their efforts during the Rhineland Campaign. Before 2002, it was the only Washington-based military band to have participated in a theater of foreign combat operations. The band expanded and diversified post-World War II, and the United States Army Ceremonial Band, The United States Army Chorus, The United States Army Herald Trumpets and The United States Army Strings were established as regular performing units during this time.

This period also saw the band perform with numerous well-known artists and composers, many as part of the very successful Freedom Sings concert series that started in 1950 and continued for several years. Notables include Metropolitan Opera bass Jerome Hines, composers Paul Hindemith and Percy Grainger, and the pianist duo Whittmore and Lowe. Similarly, several well-known entertainers and recording artists were band members during this period. Eddie Fisher, Robert Dini and Steve Lawrence were very popular during the 1950s, as were harpist Lloyd Lindroth, future Metropolitan Opera tenor George Shirley and announcer Charles Osgood. Throughout the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s, the band continued to perform and serve with distinction. In 1963, The band participated in the funeral of President John F. Kennedy with Army Band Bugler Keith Clark performing Taps at the graveside service in Arlington National Cemetery. Brucker Hall, The band's training and performance facility, was constructed in the mid-1970s. Also during this era, The Army Blues jazz ensemble, The United States Army Brass Quintet, The United States Army Chorale and The United States Army Brass Band were officially established as regular performing ensembles.An official Coat of Arms and distinctive uniforms were approved to reflect The band's increasing visibility at events of national significance, including the visit of Emperor Hirohito to Alaska with President Richard Nixon, the United States Bicentennial Celebration, the Lake Placid Winter Olympics, the return of the former U.S. hostages from Iran, the World's Fair in Knoxville, Tennessee and the 1984 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. The band has performed in Canada, Japan and Australia as well as in several of the nation's prominent concert halls, such as Carnegie Hall, Radio City Music Hall and the Guggenheim Band Shell at Lincoln Center in New York, the Hollywood Bowl and the Hatch Shell in Boston. In 1984, The band recorded and participated in the filming of Francis Ford Coppola's movie Gardens of Stone.

Under the leadership of Colonel L. Bryan Shelburne, leader and commander (1990 - 2000), the band continued its tradition of excellence with performances at the 1990 Economic Summit in Houston, the Desert Storm Victory Parade in New York and Reba McEntire's Christmas Special in Nashville. Col. Shelburne has also led the band in performances in Sweden, the Netherlands, Turkey, Nova Scotia and Scotland including a concert of International Goodwill with the Soviet Union's Navy Band of Moscow in Stockholm.

In November 1997, The U.S. Army Band "Pershing's Own" culminated its rich 75-year history with a grand concert at Carnegie Hall in New York City. Guest artists included Walter Cronkite, Charles Osgood and Metropolitan Opera stars Roberta Peters and John Cheek.

In April 2000, Colonel Gary F. Lamb returned to The United States Army Band, (he had been assigned here previously in 1986 at which time he was the Deputy Commander and held positions as Director of The Army Chorale, and Director of The Army Chorus), to become the seventh Leader and Commander.

In December 2002, a ten-piece pop group from the band, dubbed "Downrange", accompanied country musician Darryl Worley, comedian Kathy Griffin, actress Karri Turner, pro wrestler Bradshaw, and two cheerleaders from the Jacksonville Jaguars to Uzbekistan, Kuwait and Afghanistan as part of a pre-Christmas USO tour in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. This was the first time since 1945 that members of the Army Band performed in a theater of foreign operations. Since the commencement of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003 the tour has been repeated annually under the title "Hope and Freedom", with a larger ensemble and additional stops at military positions in Iraq. Other celebrities that have accompanied recent tours include country singer Mark Wills, comedian Al Franken, and cheerleaders from the Washington Redskins.

Lamb retired in June 2005 and was succeeded by Colonel Thomas Rotondi, Jr., whose previous assignment was Commander/Conductor of the United States Military Academy Band at West Point, New York.

The U.S. Army Band is headquartered at Fort Myer in Arlington, Virginia, and annually hosts the The US Army Band Tuba-Euphonium Conference in January and Eastern Trombone Workshop in March.

Lineage

• Organized 25 January 1922 at Fort Hunt, Virginia, as The Army Band
• Discontinued 31 January 1948 at Fort Myer, Virginia
• Reconstituted 17 August 1949 in the Regular Army; concurrently consolidated with the United States Army Band (active) (constituted 8 January 1948 in the Regular Army; activated 31 January 1948 at Fort Myer, Virginia) and consolidated unit designated as The United States Army Band.

Honors

Campaign Participation Credit

• World War II:

1. Rhineland

Decorations

1. Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for WASHINGTON, DC 1969-1971
2. Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) for WASHINGTON, DC 1971-1973
3. Army Superior Unit Award for 1987
4. Army Superior Unit Award for 1992-1993

• Army Band Home

Army Field Band

While musical excellence has always been its standard, The United States Army Field Band has not always been its name. Near the close of World War II, Chief Warrant Officer Chester E. Whiting returned from overseas duty to help organize The First Combat Infantry Band. Composed entirely of soldiers with musical talents who had served in combat in all theaters of the war, the band began an immediate mission of bolstering support for their fellow soldiers. Initially, the band toured for a year and a half performing in community outreach concerts that also supported the sale of War Bonds. Its success earned the band the unofficial title "The Million Dollar Band."

In 1946, General Jacob Devers, commander of the Army Ground Forces, commissioned Chief Whiting to "organize a band that will carry into the grassroots of our country the story of our magnificent Army, its glorious traditions and achievements." As a result, the First Combat Infantry Band became the Army Ground Forces Band—and performed in the nation's capital and toured extensively in the United States and Europe. In 1950, the Army Ground Forces became the Army Field Forces, consequently changing the band's name to The United States Army Field Band.

Although these early years brought many name changes, the band's mission never wavered. The Musical Ambassadors of the Army maintain this mission by bringing the American soldier and a diverse musical repertoire to local, national, and international audiences.

The Field Band continually demonstrates its ability to change in meeting operational challenges. The development of various performing components has enhanced the band's mission throughout the past six decades.

In 1957, the Musical Ambassadors asked 34 bandsmen to double as the Soldiers' Chorus. Witnessing one of these performances, Major General W. Preston Corderman remarked, "[This organization], through its stirring musical renditions, is one of the most effective vehicles for bringing the U.S. Army closer to the American people." Within the next twelve years, the Soldiers' Chorus became a separate component of trained vocalists, performing both with and without the Concert Band in spreading the Army message.

With the transformation of the American musical landscape in the 1960s, the unit created the Studio Band, a unique group tailored to meet the Army's needs in reaching young people through high school performances with the Soldiers' Chorus. Colonel Hal Gibson recalled, "We made vast changes and our attendance figures soared." Today, as the Jazz Ambassadors, they focus on jazz and take an active role in promoting the Army in the United States and abroad.

An emphasis on innovation sparked the 1981 formation of a component dedicated to high-energy popular music, the Volunteers. An early concentration on local commitments quickly broadened to include troop support and recruiting appearances.

The varied and inspirational fashion in which the U.S. Army Field Band fulfills its mission sparked this comment from a fan in Durango, Colorado, which holds true for each of the band's components throughout its history. "[They] remind us all that not only do we have one of the most colorful pasts of any nation in the world but an exciting future, if we'll just reach out and grab it."

Decorations

1. Army Superior Unit Award for 1988
2. Army Superior Unit Award for 1993

• Army Field Band Home

Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps

The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps is the only unit of its kind in the armed forces, and is part of the The 3rd U.S. Infantry (The Old Guard). The Fife and Drum Corps is stationed at Fort Myer, Virginia.

The musicians of this unit recall the days of the American Revolution as they parade in uniforms patterned after those worn by the musicians of Gen. George Washington's Continental Army. Military musicians of the period wore the reverse colors of the regiments to which they were assigned. The uniforms worn by the members of the Corps are dated circa 1781, and consist of black tricorn hats, white wigs, waistcoats, colonial coveralls, and red regimental coats.

The 69-member Corps uses 10-hole fifes, handmade rope-tensioned drums and single-valve bugles, which bring to life the exciting sounds of the continental army. While traveling, the marching strength of the unit is normally 22 musicians, the drum major and support personnel.

As an official representative of the U.S. Army, the Corps averages nearly 2,000 performances annually. The Corps has entertained millions of people in major parades, pageants and historical celebrations throughout the United States; and has served America as a goodwill ambassador as far away as Europe, Australia and Canada. Major sporting events the Corps has performed at include NCAA bowl games, NBA games, NFL games including Super Bowl XVI, the Kentucky Derby, the Indianapolis 500, and the 1980 Winter Olympics in Lake Placid NY.

• Old Guard Fife and Drum Home

Unit Bands

• U.S. Army Bands

U.S. Army Bands

U.S. Army Bands Opportunities

Many American historic events occurred with the support of a military musical unit. Prior to the signing of the Declaration of Independence, colonial soldiers marched to the music of fifes and drums. During the Civil War, military leaders on both sides relied on military musicians to entertain troops, position troops in battle, and stir the troops on to victory. Army bands have a brilliant history. Bands, such as the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions and the 1st Infantry Division, received decorations for their performance in combat. Other bands have entertained at official functions, entertained troops, and traveled throughout the world aiding public relations inside and outside of the United States.

Today, there are more than 130 Army Bands around the world performing for American and world audiences alike. At any one time, there are at least three Army Bands supporting Soldiers in the theaters of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) and Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF). Bandsmen are constantly called to duty to perform their mission, which is to support Soldiers and audiences with music worldwide.

• U.S. Army Ground Forces Band
• U.S. 3rd Infantry Division
• 13th Army Band
• 56th Army Band
• 76th Army Band
• 283d Army Band
• 323d Army Band
• 338th Army Band (Reserve)
• 215th Army Band

Coast Guard Band

Main article: United States Coast Guard Band

In March 1925, the United States Coast Guard Band was organized with the assistance of Lt. Charles Benter, leader of the United States Navy Band, Dr. Walter Damrosch, conductor of the New York Philharmonic, and "American March King" John Philip Sousa, former director of the United States Marine Band.

Forty years later, President Lyndon B. Johnson signed the Congressional Legislation that resulted in the Coast Guard Band becoming the permanent, official musical representative of the nation's oldest continuous seagoing service. This event established the Coast Guard Band as one of the five premier service bands in the United States.

The duties of the Coast Guard Band have greatly expanded since 1965. Originally a small command band located at the Academy and used primarily for local purposes, today the band routinely tours throughout the United States and has performed in the former Soviet Union and in England. It represents the Coast Guard around the nation and the world, at presidential functions, and for the Secretary of Homeland Security and other cabinet officials on formal and informal occasions.

Since its formation in 1925, the Coast Guard Band has developed an international reputation as one of the finest professional concert bands in the world, offering music of great variety and appeal. The band produces recordings and regularly furnishes programs to National Public Radio for broadcast over the entire country. Concerts have also been broadcast in Australia, Japan and Europe.

The Coast Guard Band is headquartered in New London, Connecticut.

• Coast Guard Band Home

Air Force Band

The United States Air Force Band is a musical organization with an outstanding record of achievement of more than 60 years. Known as "America's International Musical Ambassadors," it has won the hearts of millions of music lovers throughout the world.

The band's official military life began on September 24, 1941, with the formation of the Bolling Army Air Forces Band under the sponsorship of Lieutenant L.P. Holcomb, commanding officer of the Air Base Group at Bolling Field. Since that time, the Band has grown from relative obscurity to stardom under the leadership of ten diverse and talented conductors.

From 1955 to 1961, the Air Force Band was joined by the WAF Band as twin ambassadors of the USAF, though USAF policy kept the WAF Band from overseas appearances. The WAF Band, founded as a local base band in 1951 at Lackland Air Force Base, were stationed alongside the all-male USAF Band at Bolling from 1953 to 1957 after which the popular women's band was invited to Norton Air Force Base where they stayed until being disbanded in 1961. Some 235 women served in the WAF Band's ten-year lifespan.

Over the years, The United States Air Force Band has performed live for over 100 million people. The band has also been broadcast via television and radio.

The band has embarked on 25 international concert tours, with performances in more than 50 countries and 42 world capitals. The musicians in The United States Air Force Band seek to promote better understanding between all people of the world, traveling as goodwill ambassadors.

A unique feature of the band was the U.S. Air Force Pipes and Drums, which existed as a free-standing unit within the Air Force Band between 1960 and 1970, when Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. John D. Ryan ordered it disbanded. (Prior to that, it was a part of the Air Force Drum and Bugle Corps, which has also been disbanded.)

The United States Air Force Band is headquartered at Bolling Air Force Base in Washington, D.C.

• Air Force Band Home

Marine Corps Unit Bands

There are 12 Marine Corps Unit Bands, which include

• 1st Marine Division Band
• 2nd Marine Division Band - "The Division's Own"
• Fleet Marine Force Pacific Band
• III Marine Expeditionary Force Band
• 1st Marine Aircraft Wing Band
• 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band
• 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band
• 4th Marine Aircraft Wing Band
• Marine Corps Recruit Depot Band Parris Island
• Marine Corps Recruit Depot Band, San Diego
• Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Band
• Marine Corps Base Quantico Band

2nd Marine Division Band

The 2nd Marine Division Band, "The Division's Own," initially brought together Marines of the 2nd Marine Regiment, 6th Marine Regiment, and 8th Marine Regiment bands, who first collaborated while on liberty in Wellington, New Zealand during World War II. Members of the 2d Marine Division Band fought with Marines and sailors on Tarawa, Tinian, Wake Island, Gudalcanal, and Saipan.

Not serving in combat in Korea and Vietnam, the 2nd Marine Division bandsmen were frequently called upon as litter-bearers and military police, and to augment security forces. In 1991, "The Division's Own" saw combat action in the Gulf War(Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm), and participated in the subsequent Washington, D.C. victory parade.

In 2005 in the Iraq War (Operation Iraqi Freedom), the 2d Marine Division Band served as an interior camp guard platoon in Al Anbar. In 2007, they served in Al Asad and Camp Fallujah. Today, Marine Corps bands train to serve as security platoons for their headquarters command element.

The 2d Marine Division Band is the only musical unit aboard Camp Lejeune and provides musical support for the five major commands and 30,000 Marines for whom Camp Lejeune is home. It also performs in numerous parades, concerts and ceremonies throughout North Carolina and the eastern United States. They are known for their musical excellence and pride as "Musical Ambassadors" for the Corps.¹

1st Marine Division Band

The 1st Marine Division Band was also organized during World War II in the Pacific Theater. During the early stages of the war, the 1st Marine Division launched the first land offensive against Japan, and the band laid its instruments aside and became front line troops for the four months of the campaign. After the 1st Marine Division left Guadalcanal for leave, the band resumed its musical duties, and was soon unofficially adopted as "Australia's Own." The iconic Australian song "Waltzing Matilda" was then adopted as the official song of the 1st Marine Division. With the surrender of Japan, the band returned to the United States.

In the Korean War, the 1st Marine Division Band made the Incheon landing on September 16, 1950 as part of the 1st Provisional Marine Brigade with Major General Oliver P. Smith, Division Commander. The Band then took over the duty of guarding Smith's command post. After a few moves, the band made the Wonsan landing and then half of the band was pulled off the security detail to help unload and sort supplies landed at Wonsan. The band remained split, half staying with Smith at the rear command post, and the other half moving through North Korea guarding the forward command post of Lieutenant General Edward Craig. At the Chosin Reservoir, the latter group engaged in heavy fighting. One bandsman was killed and seven were wounded, not including the frostbite cases.

The 1st Marine Division Band was the first military band to be ordered to the Persian Gulf and the only band to go into Kuwait during the Gulf War. They deployed on September 2, 1990 and arrived in Dhahran, Saudi Arabia the next day, with their instruments following by sea. The band provided perimeter security for the Division and its commander, Major General Charles Wilhelm. The first camp was Hall (pronounced Hay) 15, a camp built for oil workers. The Command Post was moved to the desert on September 13 and would remain there until the band returned home.

In February 2003, the 1st Marine Division Band began deploying to Kuwait in the lead-up to the Iraq War. While in Kuwait, the band stood duty as well as trained on machine guns and convoy security prior to deployment into Iraq. In March, the band crossed over into Iraq, providing security for the Division Headquarters both while on the move or at each nightly stop digging fighting positions and forming perimeter security.

In Ad Diwaniyah they retrieved their instruments and started performing morale boosting concerts all over Iraq. They played in Babylon, Camp Commando, and around Diwaniyah for the numerous units in the surrounding area.

Soon after returning from Operation Iraqi Freedom I, the 1st Marine Division Band started training for the next deployment. Late in 2003 they were informed that they would be returning to Iraq. In February 2004 the band deployed to Kuwait and remained there until the 1st Marine Division advanced into Iraq. Soon thereafter, they began a 3-day push to Ar Ramadi. This was to be the band’s home for the next seven months.

In Ar Ramadi they took control of perimeter security from the U.S. Army. For this deployment, their primary mission was to control the base operations and provide perimeter security for Camp Blue Diamond. Additional assignments for the band included security on convoys to nearby bases and patrols outside the perimeter. Even though the base endured countless indirect fire attacks, the Marine Musicians still kept an intense vigilance.

In the most recent deployment, the band was attached to Headquarters Company, Regimental Combat Team 5 and was deployed to Camp Fallujah, Iraq from February 2006 to January 2007 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom 05-07. This deployment differed from OIF I and II in that the band continued its musical mission at home, while elements of the band deployed.

The band’s primary role in Iraq was as a security detachment. Command element members served as the Security Officers, Security Platoon Commanders, Company Gunnery Sergeants for Headquarters Company, Convoy Commanders, and Security Platoon Sergeants. Other members of the band were stationed at the Government Center in Fallujah providing over-watch security for the compound. This security allowed Civil Affairs Group personnel, as well as government, military and civilian officials to conduct business at the compound in safety. Division bandsmen were also attached as gunners, drivers and vehicle commanders to the security element of an Explosive Ordinance Disposal team, and also a multi-purpose security convoy.

Following redeployment at the end of January 2007, the 1st Marine Division Band was once again a full unit and continued their musical mission aboard Camp Pendleton. An annual concert at The Center for the Performing Arts, in Escondido, California marked the first major public performance following the deployment.

MCB Quantico Marine Band

The Quantico Marine Corps Band was established in 1918 and is one of the oldest of the Marine Corps' professional musical ensembles. It is under the operational control of the base commander of Marine Corps Base Quantico and is currently under the direction of Chief Warrant Officer 3 Robert A. Szabo.

The Band is composed of a ceremonial band and concert band each equipped to provide musical support as directed by the Commandant of the Marine Corps and the Commander of Marine Corps Base, Quantico. In addition, the band maintains a number of small ensembles, including a brass quintet, woodwind quintet, rock/show band, party band, and jazz combo. With an authorized strength of one officer and 50 enlisted Marines, the band has performed at many recognized civilian events; including the Super Bowl XLI Pregame Show, the 9/11 Memorials at Carnegie Hall and the Town Arts Theatre, the Macy’s Thanksgiving and Columbus Day Parades in New York City, the 7th through 9th Virginia International Tattoos, and the Opening Ceremony for the National Museum of the Marine Corps. Through its performances, the Band provides musical support encouraging community relations, enhances troop morale, and promotes the Marine Corps recruiting program. As well as musical support, the members of the band also fulfill their duties as Marine Riflemen. In support of Iraqi Freedom II, 20 members of the band were attached to Task Force National Capitol Region and have returned home safely.

Other U.S. military service bands

• Band of the Air Force Reserve, Robins Air Force Base, Georgia
• USAF Band of the West, Lackland Air Force Base, Texas
• United States Air Force Band of Liberty (founded in 1978, Hanscom Air Force Base, MA)
• U.S. Air Force Heritage of America Band (founded in 1941 as the Army Air Corps Band, Langley Air Force Base, VA)
• U.S. Military Academy Band (founded 1817, West Point, NY)
• U.S. Merchant Marine Academy Band (Kings Point, NY)
• Naval Academy Band (founded in 1845, Annapolis, MD)
• Air Force Academy Band (inception in 1942 as the "Flying Yanks", reactivated for the United States Air Force Academy in 1955, Colorado Springs, CO)
• Air National Guard Band of the Midwest Peoria, IL