JBSA Lackland is the home of the 737th Training Group Drum and Bugle Corps. The Drum and Bugle Corps is made up of trainees that are currently in Basic Military Training (BMT). New arrivals at BMT may be “selected” to be a part of the Drum and Bugle Corp, which is also known as the Band Flight.
If your trainee is assigned to a band flight there will be some differences to their training as well as how things are done during some of the graduation week events. We have listed below some information we have compiled to help you if you have a trainee in a band flight.
Being Selected For Band Flight
Upon arrival at BMT, at some point during in processing, the new trainees will be asked if they have experience playing musical instruments. For those that indicate they do have experience, they will likely be assigned to the band flight. If there are not enough trainees with musical experience to fill the flight, it is possible that trainees with no musical experience will be selected to be a part of the band flight. In those cases, the trainee will likely be assigned to play a musical instrument that is relatively easy to play.
Differences In Training Activities
Trainees assigned to band flights have to accomplish all requirements that non-band flight trainees have to do. In addition to those requirements, band flight members will spend time playing their instruments and practicing the songs they will be playing in their performances. They do these practice sessions several times a week. Since the trainees are doing these practice sessions, they often will not do other extra tasks that non-band flight trainees have to do. An example is doing extra detail activities outside of their dormitories or squadrons. They of course are still responsible for doing the same type of dormitory activities and the details that come with them.
One perk could be if there is a special event occurring off base, the band may be chosen to perform at that event.
Graduation Week Event
There are some things you, as a family member of a band flight Airman, will need to know when you come to JBSA Lackland for graduation week. We have listed a summary of how some ceremonies may be different for you and your trainee during graduation events.
Airman’s Run – Your band flight AB will participate in the Airman’s Run just like all the other trainees. Get a good spot, loosen up your vocal chords and be prepared to yell and cheer for your trainee as they run by.
Honor Graduate Ceremony – If your AB is an honor graduate, he/she will participate in the ceremony just like any other trainee.
Graduation Ceremony – The band flight does perform during Graduation Ceremony. They will have an assigned flight location, just like the others. The band flight AB will receive their coins at the same time as the others.
At the end of the Ceremony, the band flight will “sound retreat” to begin the Retreat Ceremony. They will then play the National Anthem while retreat is conducted. To mark the conclusion of the Ceremony, the band will play the Air Force song. After the Ceremony, everyone else will stand and wait for their friends/family to come tap them out where they are standing. NOT the band. They will march off, back behind the bleachers to put away their instruments. Just make your way there.
Some MTIs have the flight get back into formation once the instruments are secured. That means you can tap them out again. Others may not do that. Just follow their lead. Either way you will get a chance for a big hug!
