Saturday, April 28, 2012

Lexicon Update

I've updated the Navy Musician's Lexicon, a grudging concession to the fact that it's the only thing many visitors care about, it's the first thing I ever posted here, and, I painfully admit, maybe the best.

Sunday, April 22, 2012

The Unit Leader's Guide to the Shipboard Band

I was nervous when I first took a band to sea. I'f only I'd seen this training film. I wouldn't have had a care in the world, knowing the truth:

-- A shipboard band is happy. Beyond happy, in fact. The band members have iron-on smiles permanently creased in their faces. Just give them a chance to play, and the band is infected with joy. A seagoing band is on the verge of dying of delight, 24/7.

-- The crew is delighted to have a band aboard. Whenever music floats across the deck, the ship's company come rushing to listen. In fact, they'll probably pitch in and help.


-- There's not a ragbag in the bunch. Even when performing a routine shipboard gig, the MUs sparkle and shine. This is due, in part, to the support from the ship's laundry that works overtime to ensure the band's uniforms are always crisp, clean and ready to go.

-- Even the officers are thrilled to have a band aboard. They applaud the band's contributions toward shipoard life.

Rest easy, bandleader. Command Attitude toward the seagoing band can be summed up in the phrase, "You want it, you got it."