Band utilizes secondary mission to support response operations

Courtesy Photo | Soldiers with the South Carolina National Guard's 246th Army Band utilizes their secondary mission to support response operations by working access security and personnel accountability tasks in response to Hurricane Matthew. At it's peak, approximately 2,800 South Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen were activated since Oct. 4, 2016 to support state and county emergency management agencies and local first responders after Governor Nikki Haley declared a State of Emergency.  

WEST COLUMBIA, SC, UNITED STATES

10.15.2016

Courtesy Story

South Carolina National Guard

Story by: Sgt. Meghann Burnett

WEST COLUMBIA, SOUTH CAROLINA – As Hurricane Matthew began its tear toward the Florida coast, South Carolina Gov. Nikki Haley declared a State of Emergency Oct. 4, 2016, activating approximately 1,800 South Carolina National Guard Soldiers and Airmen. Among the first activated were members of the 246th Army Band who were called upon to support the Joint Forces Headquarters (JFHQ) at the Joint Operations Center (JOC).

This marked the second time in 12 months that the 246th served on state active duty orders to aide in the National Guard’s disaster relief efforts.

In October 2015, South Carolina was crippled by what was called, “a 1,000 year flood,” by Gov. Haley. For more than two weeks the 246th teamed with JFHQ to conduct 24-hour operations at the JOC. During both events, the Band was primarily responsible for access security and personnel accountability.

“The average Soldier or individual doesn’t know that the band’s secondary mission is security,” said U.S. Army Maj. Edward Southworth, JFHQ commander and administrative officer. “Whether filling sandbags, being a runner or making rosters, it doesn’t matter your role. As long as you do it well, that’s all we care about and the Band does their job very well.”

“It says a lot about the organization and the people,” added Southworth. “The work ethic of a musician transitions into other aspects of life – discipline to know the trade, to practice – it’s a work ethic that fits anywhere in life.”

Spearheading the Band’s involvement in support operations was the full-time readiness non-commissioned officer, U.S. Army Staff Sgt. Chris Church. Church, who served with the 3rd Infantry Division Band, including two deployments to Iraq, was very familiar with the secondary mission of Army musicians.

“When we weren’t on the road performing at different [Forward Operating Bases], we were pulling security at the division main or out on convoy security,” said Church. “During the flood last year, I told the chain of command that if there was anything the band could do to assist, we were ready and willing.”

The Army underwent a reduction in Military Occupational Specialties (MOS) in 2004. As part of the reclassification plan, which was implemented on January 1, 2005, a band member’s MOS changed from being instrument specific, to being a general musician for all band Soldiers with an additional skill identifier indicating their primary instrument. The major duties also transitioned from augmenting local security during times of heightened security as needed, to a home station mission including the support of civil operations.

Regardless of the official description, according to Church, the mindset hasn’t changed.

“We are always Soldiers first,” he added.

• Date Taken: 10.15.2016
• Date Posted: 10.15.2016 10:17
• Story ID: 212104
• Location: WEST COLUMBIA, SC, US