Army bands to undergo transformation to modular structure

Photo By Spc. Alicia Clark | The U.S. Army Ceremonial Band stands in formation outside of the White House. (U.S. Army photo/Pfc. Alicia C.Torbush)  

WASHINGTON, DC, UNITED STATES

05.15.2008

Story by Pfc. Alicia Clark 

20th Public Affairs Detachment

By Pfc. Alicia C.Torbush
20th Public Affairs Detachment

WASHINGTON - The mission of the Army band is to sustain the "warrior spirit," support recruiting, and tell the Army story to the American public. In carrying out its mission, the band helps to draw support for the Army from the American people.

According to the Army website, starting in late fiscal year 2008, Army bands are to undergo a transformation to a modular structure.

"The purpose is to ensure that the band matches the rest of the Army and the way it goes to war," said Col. Thomas H. Palmatier a native of Ballston Spa, New York and commander U.S. Army Field Band.

Currently, band deployments are all or nothing. These units must deploy as an entire entity and cannot be divided.

In their current structure, Army bands lack consistency across the board. This makes movement between bands difficult because it requires a Soldier to learn a new structure.

The change will organize bands into separate, deployable Music Support Teams.

Ultimately, this will allow commanders more flexibility in providing music support both at home and abroad said Palmatier.

"The change helps the Army bands organize in a modular fashion much like Brigade Combat Team," said Palmatier.

MSTs can be used alone or combined with other MSTs to carry out the mission of the band. Each MST will have its own unique capabilities to support forward operating units as well as Soldiers on the home front.

When the conversion is complete, it will allow senior commanders to use the capabilities of over 400 MSTs to provide flexible support throughout the operational Army.

This new organizational structure will better provide commanders with the ability to strategically place Army bands where their support is needed most.

• Date Taken: 05.15.2008
• Date Posted: 05.15.2008 17:47
• Story ID: 19455
• Location: WASHINGTON, DC, US