Stand-To!- Transformation of Army bands - March 13, 2008

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Edition: Thu, March 13, 2008
Rich-text Version
WHAT THEY'RE SAYING
“In 55 years, the Republic of Korea has transformed from a war- 
ravaged country to one of the most modern, progressive and democratic  
countries in the world. Unfortunately, in a modern and vibrant  
Republic of Korea, the U.S. still rotates servicemembers on one-year,  
unaccompanied assignments as though this remained an active combat  
zone. It is not.”

-Commander Gen. Burwell B. Bell, U.S. Forces Korea, in testimony to  
the Senate Armed Services Committee, March 11.

Top commander in Korea urges three-year, accompanied tours
TODAY'S FOCUS
Transformation of Army bands

What is it?

Army bands are undergoing a conversion to a modular structure to  
provide senior commanders more flexible options for providing music  
support to Soldiers and their Families, to assist in Army recruiting,  
and for strategic outreach at home and abroad. When fully implemented  
it will let senior commanders use the “plug and play” capabilities of  
over 400 Music Support Teams in the Active Army, Army Reserve, and  
Army National Guard to provide flexible music support throughout the  
joint operational spectrum.

What has the Army done?

Starting late in FY 08 and ending in early FY 11, all band TO&Es will  
be changed to organize bands into separately deployable/employable  
Music Support Teams (MST), each with its own distinct capabilities  
and its own Unit Identification Code (UIC). MSTs can be used alone or  
combined with other MSTs to provide different types of music support  
(ex. A+B+C+D = marching band). Although the TO&E conversions are just  
beginning, many bands have already internally organized as MSTs to  
increase their flexibility to support operations. The payoff has come  
in the over 7,000 performances performed for friendly forces in the  
CENTCOM AOR since the start of OEF/OIF. In another example, the bands  
from Eighth U.S. Army and the 2nd Infantry Division task organized  
their combined MSTs to support multiple concurrent operations.

Previously, band deployments were by unit and were “all or nothing.”  
However, now that many division headquarters are deploying separately  
from that division’s BCTs, senior commanders need ways to musically  
support Soldiers in garrison as well as operations in forward  
locations. A modular structure that provides split operations  
capability and “plug in” augmentation from other band units of all  
components is the answer. Additional information can be found in the  
recently revised DA Pam 220-90, Army Bands – A Guide for Senior  
Commanders.

What does this mean for the future?

Deployed commanders, now more than ever are highly aware of the need  
for strategic outreach to host nation populations as well as needing  
ways to support the morale of friendly forces. The modular structure  
gives them expanded flexibility to use Army bands’ unique  
capabilities to win the information war. By tapping into the band  
resources of all three components of the Army and using them when and  
where they are needed, bands can help sustain the Warrior spirit,  
support recruiting, and tell the Army story to the American public.  
To make use of this powerful tool, senior commanders, through their  
G1/J1/C1, should ensure band operations are fully integrated into  
planning for morale support and information operations.

Why is this important to the Army?

The center of gravity in this long war against terror may well lie in  
the support of the American people for its Army, in the information  
campaign abroad, and in the morale of our Soldiers. In all of these  
areas, Army bands can be an important tool for commanders.
INFORMATION YOU CAN USE
• 2007 Strategic Communication Guide - Read the 2007 Army Strategic  
Communication Guide for key messages and updates

• Strategic Communication Coordination Group (SCCG) Workspace

• Army Public Affairs Portal

• Stories of Valor

NEWS ABOUT THE ARMY
Chairman of Joint Chiefs visits warhorse Soldiers (ARNews)
Army educator helping African students (ARNews)
Suicide prevention Task Force program starts in CONUS (ARNews)
Chemical Corps Soldier personifies personal courage, places mission  
first (ARNews)
Jessica Simpson joins the Army (ARNews)


WAR ON TERROR NEWS
Pentagon cites tapes showing interrogations (NYT)
Unease returns in Baghdad (PI)
Mahdi army strongholds raided by police (WT)
41 Taliban killed in South Afghanistan (NV)
OF INTEREST
Warriors welcome Fallon's resignation (WT)
Iraqi security volunteers receive first month's pay (ARNews)
Opinion: Moscow's missile gambit (WP)
EUCOM quality of life conference underway (ARNews)
WORLD VIEW
U.S. denies planning strike on Iran (AJ | Story)
U.S. reiterates diplomatic approach to Iran (ThaiInd | Story)
'Magic is over' for the U.S., says foreign minister of France (IHT |  
Story)
Moscow warns NATO on Georgia (AJ | Story)
Iraqi police raid Mahdi army strongholds (REU | Story)
Property sell-off by Russian army (BBC | Story)
WHAT'S BEING SAID IN BLOGS
Under the crescent moon (GC)
Resolve to win (BF)
A neighborhood reborn (CIF)
Rules of engagement (KDIF)
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