My dream in life is to graduate from the United States Air Force Academy with a degree in mechanical engineering. I want to help design fighter and stealth jets.
I want to keep my guitars and music though. I was doing some research on who to contact to show that I'm interested in getting into the Academy, when I ran across something. I can't take my guitars with me to the Academy! No personal items are aloud.
I was thinking about renting a storage garage thing, and keeping them in there for when I can go to town on the weekends.
Anywho, what's your experience with guitars and the military?

_________________
"He who hates me hates my Father as well."
John 15:23

Talman Ibanez Inner City-Suizy Q
2002 American-Made Fender Telecaster-Vengence
Fender Hot Rod Deluxe III

I got friendly with the Special Services (band) people. They'd let me play their guitars whenever they weren't using them.

_________________
You dig?

I don't know about today. But many years ago when I was a young soldier. There was a branch of the service that was referred to as (SPECIAL SERVICES). They provided a studio environment complete with musical Instruments Piano/Guitars you name it. This particular place was open to all GI's on there free time 24/7. There was always other like minded kids to hang out with. I can remember several cool Jam's. Check into it they probably have something simular today.
----Danny,

Sounds like you're getting your cart in front of your horse - my grandpa used to tell me that. Just keep your priorities in order. IF you get into the academy and IF you have what it takes to stay and make it all the way through, you won't have much time or energy for a few years to be worrying about where to keep or how to play your guitars. The NO PERSONAL STUFF ALLOWED rule is there for a reason, to help you keep your attention where it needs to be. Any military academy ain't high school.

Make it into the Academy, make it through the Academy, then worry about jamming.

_________________
Dennis in CR
Rockin' since 1963

Doing a little checking around on the internet and found several links to The U.S. Air Force Academy Music Program. This is an Air Force Country Band that travels the world over Playing there music. Check it out,(Wild Blue Country) prity cool.
----Danny,





http://youtu.be/8rSuliMjFkM

I didn,t go to the AF Acadamy but after basic and tech school it was no problem. I played in a few bands while in the AF.

You have to be way, way, way beyond good to be included in any of the Air Force Academy Bands and if you dig a little deeper you might notice that most of those performers are carrying some pretty serious RANK. Again, this is the sort of thing that isn't going to happen overnight - you need to get in, get through and be very serious - plus you have to stay in the Air Force.

Lofty dreams are good if they are grounded in reality.

_________________
Dennis in CR
Rockin' since 1963

+1...I retired from the AF after 28 years (Just Last Year) at the rank of SMSgt and CRGM is correct. As a cadet you won't have time for such things. Getting into the AF Academy is not like applying for college, you will need at a minimum a graduate of the Academy to give you a recomendation, in writing, for a start. Your congressman, might also be of assistance.

TRWELLS...What an admirable choice you are making. The AF is a great way of life. I have nothing but fond memories of the people I have met and places I have been to. Some of those countries and places most only dream of...of course it is the military and I have also been to some places NO ONE wants to go to and war is not for the Timid, but if you have what it takes you will find a commaraderie that exists no where else in the world.

Danny, not sure if you understood this or not but the AF Academy Band is NOT made up of cadets at the academy. You will notice the stripes on the sleeves of those in uniform and those are the stripes of Enlisted (Non-Commissioned Officers) personnel. They are assigned to the Academy as band members and after a few years are re-assigned to another band at another AF Base. We have the "Band of Mid America" assigned to the base I retired from (Scott AFB IL) and they are fantastic musicians.

FWIW

T2

_________________
-----------------------------------------------------------
What time is it? It's Fender Time.

+1 T2 The AF is a great life for some. I enjoyed everyday I spent in.

I was in the Air Force too, great experience. From what I've seen of you in the short time I've known you, you're a special person who is going to live her dreams. I wish you all the luck in the world Tessa.

Do what you need to do now, talk to your guidance counselors and find out what you'll need to shine. I do know you're going to have to be a monster in all math, algebra, geometry, trigonometry and calculus. Engineers need it.

I hate to say this, but if you want to build fighter and Stealth planes you should focus all your energies to that task while at the academy. Once you graduate, then you can get back into playing music. I agree that your task ahead will not be a walk in the park, but well worth it once completed.

I do like your idea of renting a storage place to go to on the weekends. I recommend if you do this buy some cheap gear to leave in there and a comfy place to sit. Also make sure your unit has an electrical outlet for power purposes. I would also recommend a climate controlled storage facility.

_________________
RK

2007 Fender Highway 1
2012 American Deluxe
2015 MIM Dave Murray HHH
2010 Fender Blacktop
1987 Fender Avalon Acoustic
2012 Marshall DSL 15 watt head

Dennis & T2: I fully understand the workings of the US military. I grue up in a military family My dad retired as a Chief MSGT. USAF. And your correct in that all members of those bands are professional musicians and are ranked according to there time in service and level of there ability. The band leader is usually a Company grade commissioned officer and the band members seldom cary less than the rank of E5. More senior members are usually 6 / 7 or 8's and an occasional 9. I was simply trying to demonstrate that the pursuit of a musical career is also possible in the military. And that the academe's music department is one of the best, although usually on another campus. There engineering Department is also one of the finest in the country, and would require a students complete attention.
----Danny,

Hope you guys don't look poorly on this, but one of the big reasons why I didn't go to the navel academy in Annapolis was because I couldn't bring my music with me... it was one of my top choices.

_________________
Kid: "Hey Smokey! Where did you get your name?"
Smokey the Bear: "Well..."
(former user jimbo612)

Not at all. We all have to make choices...yours are as valid as the next, and a career in the military is not for everyone...there are sacrifices you have to make.

T2

_________________
-----------------------------------------------------------
What time is it? It's Fender Time.

When I was younger too it was almost like my big dream to go to the Navel Academy. I probably would have done well there too, but I felt like college would be a chance for me to really explore my musicianship and grow in it. My dad seems to remind me every now and then how Annapolis would have "set my life straight" I'm doing pretty good though... I'm in the honors program at Clemson studying Chemical Engineering, with enough credit to make me a first-semester junior.

I still have a whole lot of love in support for the military. Funny thing about this post coming up around now is that my big bro leaves for army training in two days...

_________________
Kid: "Hey Smokey! Where did you get your name?"
Smokey the Bear: "Well..."
(former user jimbo612)