The music mission

Photo By Sgt. Emily Walter | The 204th Army Band performs on stage at Tomah High School in Tomah, Wis., during the Combat Support Training Exercise in August. This performance was one of several community and military shows that the band played during the unit’s two-week annual training. (Photo by Sgt. Emily Walter, 103rd ESC)  

FORT MCCOY, WI, UNITED STATES

01.13.2014

Story by Sgt. Emily Walter 

103rd Sustainment Command (Expeditionary)

VOLK FIELD, Wis.— From trumpets to tactical operations, troops with the 204th Army Band coupled their primary musical mission with war-fighting procedures during the Combat Support Training Exercise 86-13-01 in August at Fort McCoy, Wis.

As musicians, the Army Reserve Soldiers in the 204th joined the military to enhance their craft and maintain overall morale within the Army’s ranks; as Soldiers, they must also maintain a high level of proficiency in tactical procedures. The CSTX allowed the unit an opportunity to practice both skill sets.

“We do our best to obtain and maintain proficiency at warrior tasks and battle drills,” said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Robert Nicholas, commander of the 204th Army Band. “Until now, we haven’t had an opportunity to practice those while doing our primary mission…. We can’t recreate those experiences at home by ourselves.”

During their two weeks in Wisconsin, the soldiers (about 40 total) played 13 community and military performances, along with participating in field training that included reacting to direct contact, convoy operations, and weapon qualification.

They slept sometimes, too.

The band is composed of multiple ensembles: a full concert band, a brass ensemble, a quintet, and a rock band. The 204th showcased these groups during their performances, giving the audiences – civilian and military – a little something that everyone could enjoy.

“My favorite part is playing for troops and giving them troop support, and playing for civilians and being the liaison between the Army and civilian world,” said Spc. Michael Griffin, a tuba player, bassist, and singer with the 204th Army Band.

Perhaps the most upbeat audiences for which the band played were those of other troops participating in the CSTX, located predominantly at secluded forward operating bases (FOBs) around Fort McCoy. After a long day away from home, music was just what the Soldiers at the FOBs needed to reboot.

“I think [the band] really takes the soldiers’ minds off of working all day,” said Pfc. Jorge Gomez, a soldier participating in the CSTX with the 304th Sustainment Brigade, located at FOB Freedom outside Fort McCoy proper. “I think it helps them stay motivated to continue the day.”

The lighthearted atmosphere that the band emanates with its performances sometimes comes with a stigma that the band does not have to maintain the same tactical skills that other units do. Nicholas, who is also the band conductor, insists otherwise.

“I’ve heard it all, been through it all,” Nicholas said, referring to that stereotype. “Army Band soldiers receive and practice the same types of training that other units do. We have a specialized skill set, but we can cross-train to almost any other skill in the Army.”

Soldiers in the 204th proved that they have both tactical and musical chops while in Wisconsin; a few times, they spent the morning and afternoon in the field, and transitioned straight to a performance in the evening. But the troops’ challenging schedule finally fell into place with the applause after their last performance here – music to their ears.

• Date Taken: 01.13.2014
• Date Posted: 01.13.2014 11:14
• Story ID: 119089
• Location: FORT MCCOY, WI, US