It amazes me how many schools and colleges now offer audio engineering as a degree program. Quite a few of the resumes I receive from aspiring applicants list a diploma from one of these programs, but while there is great merit in having a degree from one of these schools, there is no assurance the holder of said degree will land the coveted television show or studio position they desire.
This led me to thinking about an audio technician friend of mine who joined the Army as a soundperson a few years ago. I was surprised when he told me he enlisted, but over the years he’s related to me that the experience was totally positive and he was getting a great education as well. Recently he just re-enlisted and said there are many audio opportunities available in the services, ranging from recording to live sound. I am aware that a military option is not for everyone. Yet it seems that if one were so inclined, a stellar audio education could be had while serving one’s country.
FOH: When did you join the Army?
Javier Sanz: I enlisted in the U.S. Army the summer of 2006, then went to Fort Sill, OK, for basic training. I remember it being a very hot summer!
How old were you when you joined?
I was the second oldest in my basic training platoon. I was 32 years old — something that may have worked to my advantage. Because of my age and perspective, I could sense when the drill sergeants were just playing games with us, and you know you have to play their game to make it through the best you can.
What rank can you achieve?
As an enlisted soldier in the Army, regardless of whether it’s Army Music or the Infantry, you can be promoted up to the rank of Command Sergeant Major within your service area. Officers in the musical areas of the Army usually get to the rank of Major and sometimes Lieutenant Colonel. But we have one officer with the rank of Colonel — the leader and commander of The United States Army Band “Pershing’s Own.” Traditionally, that position serves as the head of the entire Army Music Program.
How is the pay, and does it get better as you progress?
As with every area of service within the Army, the initial pay scale for entry-level enlisted soldiers in the music field is manageable. The good part is you get pay increases every two years, and every time you’re promoted, your pay also increases just as it does in the civilian sector. Every service member also has the added benefit of receiving BAH (Basic Allowance for Housing). This pay varies depending on your rank, your duty station and your marital status, and assists soldiers living off the post in civilian quarters.
Were you active doing audio work before you joined the service?
In some way or another I have been “doing sound” all my life. Before my enlistment, I spent almost 12 years working in New York City, where I did sound for pretty much any and every type of show. I worked sound for a small band in a nightclub, then did TV broadcasts and big event shows like The Grammys, MTV VMA’s, and also worked for some music touring groups.
Did you know they had an audio program before you joined?
I knew they had an Army Music Program, but was not aware they had an Audio, Staging and Production Department within the Bands Program. The first time I heard about it was an advertisement about an Army audio job in a popular magazine that immediately caught my attention. The field is very competitive, and the first time I sent in my resume I was rejected. I had to wait a year and a half before another opening became available.
Did you go directly into the audio program? Did you have to go through boot camp first?
Like all the musicians in the Army Music Field, if you’re in the Technical Support area, we, too, join the Army — we are all enlisted soldiers and are officially part of the Armed Forces. However, to become part of the Army Music Program, regardless of whether it is as a musician or part of the technical support team, you have to audition for the position. If you get the job, then you go on to Basic Training just like soldiers in other career specialties.
All of the military services have two different music programs. One program is the Military Occupation Specialties, or MOS 42R, which deals with division bands like the 82nd Airborne Division Band, the 1st Infantry Division Band, or the U.S. Army Europe Band. The other program deals with what we call the three “Special Bands,” or MOS 42S bands. These three are The U.S. Military Academy Band at West Point, NY, The U.S. Army Field Band at Fort Meade, MD and the premier band, The United States Army “Pershing’s Own,” in the nation’s capital.
Following Basic Training, those selected to a division band attend Advanced Individual Training (AIT) for further training in their field. If accepted to a band with the MOS 42R, you go to the Joint School of Music in Little Creek, VA, for training in ceremonial presentations and musicianship — as well as in various other military related courses. Soldiers selected for the Special Bands carrying the MOS 42S are already practicing musicians and technicians with the highest level of advanced training. For this reason, these soldiers go directly to their units/bands and need no further official Army training in their fields.
Does the military provide schooling in audio and production?
The military does provide training in audio and production areas, and I am proud to say that those of us assigned to “Pershing’s Own” are able to assist with the training of all soldiers who enter this field of the Army Music Program. We are currently working with the Army School of Music in creating a training program in the field of military audio support. The program will include live and studio theory, microphone techniques, speaker placement — just about anything and everything needed to make a show happen technically.
Did you start as an A-2 and work up to an A-1?
You come into the Army as an A-1, but because our events differ a bit from civilian events, we do some A-2 work as well. Doing the A-2 work helps us understand how each of us does their particular job so we can support each other effectively. There has to be a lot of teamwork when working with the Army band due to the huge volume of required audio mixing within a wide variety of situations and events.
The conversation continues next month, including a few tales of travel to combat zones and more. —ed.
