Photo By Sgt. Darryl Montgomery | Members of the 395th Army Band perform during a change of command ceremony here July...... read more read more
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FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, Calif. -- Members of the 395th Army Band from Mustang, Oklahoma, assembled and performed for a change of command ceremony on Forward Operating Base Schoonover here July 17. This performance marked the first time the 395th brass quintet has played together in a tactical environment.
According to Wichita Falls, Texas, resident, Maj. Brian J. Reilly, the commander and musical director of the 395th, the band is rarely deployed, and must gain its tactical experiences from operations like Warrior Exercise (WAREX) 91 14-03.
While the band may not deploy as often as other units, it must still be ready to accomplish its mission in a deployed environment. The band’s primary function during deployment is to entertain Soldiers in an effort to raise their morale.
“We want Soldiers to know we are there for them,” said Sgt. 1st Class James A. Riley, first sergeant of the 395th. “It is our job to come out and give them a break – you can’t just fight war 24/7. Even if that means we have to rush to a chow hall to set up a jazz group, it’s worth it if it helps get Soldiers relaxed.”
Spc. Aaron W. Skinner, a trumpeter with the 395th, said the band is here testing its capability in a tactical environment.
“We’re used to having commercial trucks carrying everything around, and now we’re having to use humvees to get things around,” said Skinner, a McAlister, Oklahoma, resident. “We are very limited on space, and with the full uniform it’s really hot, and we’re constantly inhaling and exhaling – that takes a toll, but it is rewarding overall. I hope we’re successful in the ways that we can provide entertainment from FOB to FOB.”
The band had to meticulously prepare for its WAREX mission here.
“Preparation musically is a piece of cake,” said Riley, a resident of Mustang, Oklahoma. “As for the tactical side, running entry control points and convoys, we have to learn all that.”
In addition to playing at various venues here, the band has also conducted tactical training including entry control point, counter-improvised explosive devices, and convoy operations. While this is not the unit’s primary mission, the Soldiers must still be able to conduct Soldier tasks and drills.
“Our primary mission is esprit de corps, to raise morale and the welfare of the Soldiers,” Riley said.
| Date Taken: | 07.17.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 07.25.2014 11:40 |
| Story ID: | 137293 |
| Location: | FORT HUNTER LIGGETT, CALIFORNIA, US |
| Web Views: | 135 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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