alaura
Poolee/DEP

Hey take care! Best of luck to ya at MCT!

Haha...this recruit will be sure not to speak about that in recruit training lol.

Oh an AA degree is just an Associates of Arts degree...just the standard classes you'd normally take at a community college.

Wow! That's incredible that you just decided to drop out and try to audition and actually make it! I practiced just about every day for a couple months before actually being able to schedule an audition day (those MTAs are busy!)...

I have a friend that is doing something like intel...I can never remember exactly what his job is....but he is super-jealous of all the incredible incentives we get just for being a band geek....$10k enlistment bonus, accelerated promotion, etc...I can't imagine doing anything else!

Are you going to take college courses while enlisted? I'm planning (hoping, actually) to get my AA degree during my initial 4-year term....

Well, when I was younger I always admired my grandfather's military service (he was in the Army in Korea). I decided to join band in 5th grade, and my parents had me get a private teacher. Just so happens he was in the Marine Corps band for 8 years. He taught me from 5th-8th grade, but had to stop because he had to drive too much and wanted to be with his family more (totally understandable). Needless to say my private teacher inspired me a lot to be a Marine musician...I've always been interested in all things military...I just can't stop thinking of how awesome it would be to serve my country -- and to be a United States Marine. I've met a lot of service members, and I have to say from the ones I've met, there is something different about them. Something honorable. I love music and I'm interested in the military...so being a Marine musician seemed to be the perfect choice for me.

How about you??

I really want to stay in California near my family...which, luckily for me, there are four Marine band in SoCal....my first choice would definitely be the 1st Marine Division band at Camp Pendleton, followed by the 3DMAW in Miramar, then the MCRD SD band. I would hate to go to 29 Palms or the Logistics band in Georgia...Japan would be neat I'm sure! I've never been out of the country and I imagine Japan would be a blast!

Excellent...after 3 months of not playing I'm sure a few more weeks wouldn't do any more harm. Btw have you requested any bands yet, or do you have to wait until you're mid-way through music school?

Do you know if you can play at MCT? I can't imagine going to the School of Music without playing for at least four months...I heard they give you a couple weeks to brush up tho, which is definitely a good thing!

Oh congrats Marine! I was auditioned by GySgt. Pezdek since I live in CA...what instrument do you play? Have you even attempted playing after 3 months without practicing? I imagine that must suck lol

No way!! I play the alto sax...who auditioned you??

I auditioned a couple weeks ago and I'm happy to say I made it! What's your MOS?