Thousands of Soldiers each year pack up their gear and say goodbye to their Families. Many will not return for a year or more and sadly, some do not return at all. Preparation for these departures follows a pretty standard pattern; you train and train and train to the point where you just want to get going and do the mission. Then there’s a point as it gets closer when the realization that there’s still so many things to do before leaving hits you. Even when you’ve got time off, you still have that clock ticking in your head reminding you of how many days before you leave and all of the things that need to be done. After returning from the mission, the Soldier then has to reintegrate back into their normal routine. For those with Families, that can be more complicated because the Family has moved on with life during the mission. The parent that’s left behind has filled both roles and gotten used to making decisions singlehandedly. The kids got accustomed to interacting with just one parent. After a while, things get back to normal but there’s always an adjustment period.
The Soldiers of The U.S. Army Field Band go through this cycle three times each year, every year. Every year they are on Temporary Duty (TDY) for three periods (Spring, Summer, and Fall) for as much as seven weeks at a time. They do not face life or death situations as many of their fellow Soldiers do. As they travel America by

bus they aren’t worried about IED attacks. They have the privilege of going on to a stage every night to inspire, entertain, and educate Americans about our Army and its Soldiers. But, the cycle of preparing to leave, saying goodbye, being gone, and then readjusting to Family life again is very much the same as for any Soldier.
Several months ago, one of our senior Sergeants Major retired with 35 years of service in The U.S. Army Field Band (at the time of his retirement, he was the senior Sergeant Major in the Army by Date of Rank). We figured out that he had been away from home ten full years during his career.
Right now, the elements of The U.S. Army Field Band (the Concert Band,

the Soldiers’ Chorus,

America’s Big Band – the Jazz Ambassadors,

and our rock band “The Volunteers")

are preparing to depart on Fall Tour and the familiar cycle continues. Training is continuing (in our case, much of that training is rehearsing music) and very soon that familiar feeling of “enough practice – let’s go!” will kick in. A few days after that, another familiar sensation will occur, the dread over how much there is to be done and how few days there are to do it. On departure day, a  scene common to Army units around the world will occur, the busses and trucks will be loaded

and Families will stream in for the last hug by Dad or Mom until returning a few days before Thanksgiving Day.

Soldiers all over the Army miss important days in their families’ lives doing what needs to be done. Because we always tour in October and November, Field Band Soldiers with kids will probably never take them trick or treating. Does this compare to the Soldier humping a ruck in the mountains of Afghanistan who may not come home? No, but the days away from Families count just as much whether the Soldier is in Afghanistan or Alabama; in Iraq or Indiana. Soldiers all over the Army serve each in their own way. The Musical Ambassadors of the Army – The U.S. Army Field Band does their part as Soldiers Representing Soldiers by telling the Army’s Story from coast to coast, year after year.

Dates and cities where The U.S. Army Field Band's groups wil be performing this Fall can be found at www.ArmyFieldBand.com .