While it may be true that an Army travels on its stomach, the modern warrior also needs highly developed weapons, armor, communications gear - and maybe a trombone and trumpet combo to get the foxhole jumping.
OK, that may not describe the standard gear for most soldiers, but it’s quite accurate for the members of the 25th Infantry Band, who along with their Army brothers and sisters have recently been extended in Iraq. Yes, Schofield Barracks has a band in Iraq and they’re playing in places not even Toby Keith would visit.
Armed with rifles and bullet-proof vests, they tote their instruments far beyond the so-called safety of Baghdad’s “Green Zone” to small security stations that are strewn throughout some of the most dangerous places in the world. And they would have it no other way.
“When you’re standing there in your full battle gear, when you got your vest on and everything else on ... and they’re holding flashlights so we can read music and play Christmas carols, and all the guys are singing Christmas carols with you, and you see their faces, and they come up to you and put their arms around you, you can’t beat that. That’s when you realize, that’s why I am here,” says Sgt. 1st Class Michael McClaran of one of his favorite military moments.
Military units have used music for a variety of purposes for centuries - to position troops, signal orders in camp and to spur men on to victory. The jobs may have changed, but the spirit remains. According to the U.S. Army website, our nation’s fighting musicians got their start in 1633 when drummers were used by the Colony of Virginia for marching practice during militia drills. The first actual band in the colonies was formed in New Hampshire 20 years later, and consisted of two drums and 15 oboes. Col. Benjamin Franklin marched a thousand men with hautboys (musicians) and fifes in ranks in 1756, and throughout the Civil War, two world wars, Korea,Vietman and anywhere else U.S. forces have been sent, the bands have gone along to provide much-needed relief to service-members.
Think about it. How many of us plug in our MP-3s to get us through a difficult day at the office? Now imagine what kind of stress reliever you’d need when your biggest worry is not a cantankerous boss, but a sniper hidden among a thousand innocent civilians just waiting to part your hair with a high-caliber projectile.
While the 25th Infantry Band took off for Iraq last year, one member was left behind for another, more somber mission: to play Taps for fallen soldiers and for veterans who have passed. It’s a job that’s as soul wrenching as it is inspiring.
Sgt. James Sproul, a trumpet player for the 25th Infantry Band, has played at more than 160 such events throughout his five-year career, and though it may seem like the toughest gig a musician can have, it’s one that he takes great pride in doing.
“It’s an honor,” he says. “I do the best I can for the family. Even if I wasn’t a military person, I would want to do something for them. Something genuine. It’s also an emotional thing ... I had a number of times when a mom or a wife that was left behind comes over and mentioned how well it was done, how well Taps was played. For those types of performances, that’s what I am there for, for the family.”
McClaran agrees on the importance of playing the simple song well.
”Taps is not a difficult bugle call to play, but it’s the hardest, hardest bugle call to play emotionally. When you play at a funeral and the family is there, it’s very emotional and it’s very difficult because you want to do your best. It’s a lot of pressure.”
In addition to their duties raising the spirit of those in combat, members of the 25th Infantry Band are expected to stand a post like any other soldier. Their musical duties sometimes come a half day after providing security wherever they may find themselves.
“I’ve never had a problem with somebody getting off a 12-hour shift and then picking up their instruments into a 5-ton, doing a performance, then pack things up and go back to base, then unpack everything before going to bed,” says McClaran with pride. “I’ve never had anyone complain about that because it was an opportunity for them to play, and that’s what all of us want to do. We want to go over there and play for the troops.”
Units wanting a visit by the 25th must put in a request. From there the band figures what it can do and sends the appropriate group, whether it’s a jazz ensemble or something a bit more uptempo. It can sometimes be as few as two musicians going out to the middle of nowhere. All of the musicians are capable of playing in numerous configurations.
“If a unit is ready to go home and they’re having a farewell barbecue, we’re not going to send a brass quintet, we’re send a rock band or a combo and they’re gonna have some fun,” says McClaran.
The current French horn player and former tank commander has another idea for the guitar-and-drum-based segment of the band. McCaran said he would like to set up the rock band in one of the old forts that line that Iran/Iraq border, turn the amps toward Tehran and let the rock ‘n’roll fly.
OK, that may not describe the standard gear for most soldiers, but it’s quite accurate for the members of the 25th Infantry Band, who along with their Army brothers and sisters have recently been extended in Iraq. Yes, Schofield Barracks has a band in Iraq and they’re playing in places not even Toby Keith would visit.
Armed with rifles and bullet-proof vests, they tote their instruments far beyond the so-called safety of Baghdad’s “Green Zone” to small security stations that are strewn throughout some of the most dangerous places in the world. And they would have it no other way.
“When you’re standing there in your full battle gear, when you got your vest on and everything else on ... and they’re holding flashlights so we can read music and play Christmas carols, and all the guys are singing Christmas carols with you, and you see their faces, and they come up to you and put their arms around you, you can’t beat that. That’s when you realize, that’s why I am here,” says Sgt. 1st Class Michael McClaran of one of his favorite military moments.
Military units have used music for a variety of purposes for centuries - to position troops, signal orders in camp and to spur men on to victory. The jobs may have changed, but the spirit remains. According to the U.S. Army website, our nation’s fighting musicians got their start in 1633 when drummers were used by the Colony of Virginia for marching practice during militia drills. The first actual band in the colonies was formed in New Hampshire 20 years later, and consisted of two drums and 15 oboes. Col. Benjamin Franklin marched a thousand men with hautboys (musicians) and fifes in ranks in 1756, and throughout the Civil War, two world wars, Korea,Vietman and anywhere else U.S. forces have been sent, the bands have gone along to provide much-needed relief to service-members.
Think about it. How many of us plug in our MP-3s to get us through a difficult day at the office? Now imagine what kind of stress reliever you’d need when your biggest worry is not a cantankerous boss, but a sniper hidden among a thousand innocent civilians just waiting to part your hair with a high-caliber projectile.
While the 25th Infantry Band took off for Iraq last year, one member was left behind for another, more somber mission: to play Taps for fallen soldiers and for veterans who have passed. It’s a job that’s as soul wrenching as it is inspiring.
Sgt. James Sproul, a trumpet player for the 25th Infantry Band, has played at more than 160 such events throughout his five-year career, and though it may seem like the toughest gig a musician can have, it’s one that he takes great pride in doing.
“It’s an honor,” he says. “I do the best I can for the family. Even if I wasn’t a military person, I would want to do something for them. Something genuine. It’s also an emotional thing ... I had a number of times when a mom or a wife that was left behind comes over and mentioned how well it was done, how well Taps was played. For those types of performances, that’s what I am there for, for the family.”
McClaran agrees on the importance of playing the simple song well.
”Taps is not a difficult bugle call to play, but it’s the hardest, hardest bugle call to play emotionally. When you play at a funeral and the family is there, it’s very emotional and it’s very difficult because you want to do your best. It’s a lot of pressure.”
In addition to their duties raising the spirit of those in combat, members of the 25th Infantry Band are expected to stand a post like any other soldier. Their musical duties sometimes come a half day after providing security wherever they may find themselves.
“I’ve never had a problem with somebody getting off a 12-hour shift and then picking up their instruments into a 5-ton, doing a performance, then pack things up and go back to base, then unpack everything before going to bed,” says McClaran with pride. “I’ve never had anyone complain about that because it was an opportunity for them to play, and that’s what all of us want to do. We want to go over there and play for the troops.”
Units wanting a visit by the 25th must put in a request. From there the band figures what it can do and sends the appropriate group, whether it’s a jazz ensemble or something a bit more uptempo. It can sometimes be as few as two musicians going out to the middle of nowhere. All of the musicians are capable of playing in numerous configurations.
“If a unit is ready to go home and they’re having a farewell barbecue, we’re not going to send a brass quintet, we’re send a rock band or a combo and they’re gonna have some fun,” says McClaran.
The current French horn player and former tank commander has another idea for the guitar-and-drum-based segment of the band. McCaran said he would like to set up the rock band in one of the old forts that line that Iran/Iraq border, turn the amps toward Tehran and let the rock ‘n’roll fly.
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