Photo By Erica Fouche | Petty Officer John Noll showcased his Penn State musical talents while deployed in...... read more read more
AFGHANISTAN - Petty Officer John Noll, a U.S. Navy intelligence specialist, recently completed his first deployment to Afghanistan as part of Combined Joint Task Force Paladin’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Group 2. It was an assignment he set forth to accomplish with determination and enthusiasm and he credits his four years in Penn State University’s famous Blue Band for establishing the necessary foundation to succeed at the performance of a lifetime.
“The comparison between performing in the Blue Band to deploying to Afghanistan might not be one most people would make,” said Noll. “At Penn State you really live for that school pride and as a Blue Band member you commit yourself to excellence at each performance, working alongside 300 individuals to excel as one cohesive unit, and that’s what we did here at CJTF Paladin. I am one member of EOD Group Two and it took all of us and our great leadership to make this deployment a success.”
Although Noll’s official job duties were to provide timely intelligence to Paladin’s Commander to assist in decision-making, his musical background provided a unique opportunity to support Operation Enduring Freedom in an entirely different manner.
“When we were preparing to deploy, I couldn’t decide if I should bring my trumpet or not, but something in my heart just said pack it, and I’m so glad I did,” recalls Noll.
Once situated in theater Noll reached out to the 1st Infantry Division Band, auditioned with them, and was selected to perform with the group on an ad hoc basis. Noll was able to perform at a 2012 Fourth of July ceremony for U.S. Sen. John McCain and also was selected to perform at fallen comrade ramp ceremonies when the official band members were on battlefield circulations. A ramp ceremony is a memorial service held on the flight line where the fallen service member is placed on an aircraft to return home.
“There really aren’t words to express the emotions at the ramp ceremonies, it’s something that you have to be there to fully experience,” said Noll. “It was an absolute honor to directly pay my respects for their ultimate sacrifice and I took great pride in providing a final sendoff for each service member. I also played Taps for Paladin’s EOD Memorial Ceremony on May 4th which was concurrently carried out within EOD communities around the world. Participating in that ceremony was a humbling experience that gives me a profound respect of the sacrifices made each day.”
Being a part of the Blue Band may have provided Noll with a deep foundation of duty, honor and respect long before joining the Navy, but it also served as the meeting place between Noll and his future wife, Joanna Guldin.
“Joanna was a trumpet player as well and we became friends by attending the practices and volunteering for a lot of the extracurricular Blue Band events. One disastrous first date, a second first date, and five years later, we are getting married this July, about a month after I redeploy home,” said a beaming Noll. “It’s just really cool that we have our Penn State and Blue Band memories to share together and of course, make new ones by getting back to State College to attend future games! I absolutely cannot thank my fiancée enough for how she’s been there for throughout this 12-month deployment. Joanne literally wrote me a letter every single day I’ve been away from home. I hope to return the same love and support throughout our long and happy marriage.”
A man of tradition, Noll knew in eighth grade, four years after picking up the trumpet that he was going to play in the Blue Band one day, following in the footsteps of his father and paving the footsteps for his brother. After graduation he knew he wanted to serve his country and chose the U.S. Navy as did his sister, grandfather and great-grandfather.
“I used my musical talents to have some of the most fun of my life and now I want to use my mind to serve my country,” said Noll. “I sincerely believe that among the best officers and greatest leaders in any service are those with prior enlisted experience and I look forward to being one of those great leaders.”
| Date Taken: | 06.17.2013 |
| Date Posted: | 06.17.2013 02:53 |
| Story ID: | 108759 |
| Location: | AF |
| Hometown: | STATE COLLEGE, PENNSYLVANIA, US |
| Web Views: | 128 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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