Air Force BMT 🎷Band Flight 🎸- Interview w/James Dalzell

[@mccats19541]

When I went to Air Force BMT in 1977, they came around and asked who knows how to play a brass or percussion instruments. I had played the trumpet from 4th through 12th grade, so I raised my hand. I ended up put on the fluglehorn, which had two values instead of three and was longer. This was in November/December of 1977, so we we played alot of Christmas concert on Lackland and downtown San Antonio. Plus, since we were busy practicing and playing, we never had to do KP (kitchen duty). Great memories!!

[@michaelnwokorie8648]

I was a band flight its was awesome

[@DavidCapperino]

I’ve only heard good things!

[@robkevbankson]

This Band flight is the BMT drum & bugle corps ( available only @ Lackland AFB,TX) and it's partime during basic training. As of 2021, I'm not sure if it's still available cause I haven't seen them active in over 2 yrs. But if you're enlisting in the USAF always check with your recruiter to see if it's available and something you're interested in.

[@DavidCapperino]

Thank you for providing that info!

[@scarletryder8627]

Thx for this video because their was no video with this useful information

[@DavidCapperino]

Any time! Thank you for commenting

[@robkevbankson]

As always to all service members & veterans, thank you for your service and sacrifice...🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♂️🙋🏽‍♂️💯

[@DavidCapperino]

Thank you!

[@michaelnwokorie8648]

Band flight is the last flight to go cause they have to wait for everyone to come in for the whole graduation class

[@DavidCapperino]

Didn’t know that!

[@D_jamz]

Thanks for uploading! Very informative

[@DavidCapperino]

No Problem! Thank you for watching.

[@jmhighlife77]

One would think that playing in a band flight would create a lane for recruits to be meritoriously advanced to E-3 after training. Might as well not play and just focus on training.

[@DavidCapperino]

Interesting perspective

[@CowboyJonah]

Let's gooo! I played trombone as well and I hope to play it in the band flight.

[@DavidCapperino]

That’s awesome! I wish I played an instrument lol

[@NI-xm1mo]

Were there saxophones?

[@DavidCapperino]

I cannot confirm, but I would assume so.

[@qubanhall6111]

What instruments are available to play? Are woodwinds available?

[@DavidCapperino]

I am not sure and I have since lost contact with this person. But it sounds like almost anything that would be in a band are available. I’m sure a google search would answer this.

[@lifeaswegrow]

I was in band flight a million years ago...so honestly, it could be different. For us, it was brass and percussion only. My son plays piano and is now in band flight on the bass drum. The main thing is to read music.

[@guruthossindarin3563]

Late 2023: No woodwinds. My daughter said she played flute and piccolo, they put her on baritone 🤣

[@DavidCapperino]

Wow! That’s upsetting. How different are those instruments?

[@qubanhall6111]

Dude if I could play a brass instrument that would be lit.

[@DavidCapperino]

Haha right

[@toddmenard2330]

What if you were a guitarist or bassist? I assume by “band”, they are looking for marching band people?

[@DavidCapperino]

That’s a good question and unfortunately I’ve lost the contact. A recruiter can find out the answers.

[@bbgeer]

flt b129 august 83

[@DavidCapperino]

Nice! Thank you for your service.

[@coyoteserranoband]

Are you also an Air Force musician?

[@DavidCapperino]

No, I am not

[@coyoteserranoband]

@@DavidCapperino just asking because I want to join the band. I was curious to see how long air force music school is.

[@DavidCapperino]

@@coyoteserranoband idr if he talks about it in the video, but I would imagine it depends on your instrument. Good question though!

[@coyoteserranoband]

@@DavidCapperino ahh I see!

[@robkevbankson]

@@coyoteserranoband there is no Air Force school of music. You audition directly to an Air Force Band and should be very qualified, 5-10 yrs of music; playing & performance,reading,writing arranging & theory all based on your instrument. Most musicians in any Air Force Band are basically college degreed but not necessarily all. Besides the Coast Guard there are the only two branches where musicians don't attend the Naval school of music. Just like here in San Antonio's Lackland AFB the Band of the West one must audition directly to the band itself.