After a four-month tour with the U.S.A. Express band, Army Sgt. Daniel Jaggie, a preventive medicine non-commissioned officer with the 525th Military Police Battalion, returned to finish his deployment at Joint Task Force Guantanamo.
Jaggie was released from his command to perform with the band from the end of July to the end of November. U.S.A. Express is a variety band funded by the Family and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Command, which believes Soldiers need a balance of work and play and should be afforded the same quality of life as the individuals the military defends.
The band is made up of performers and musicians of all different military occupational specialties. The group tours around the world to entertain military members from all five branches of service. The band usually consists of, but is not limited to, drums, bass, guitar and keyboards, as well as vocalists, and is made up of men and women from the Army, in the rank of sergeant and below.
Auditions for U.S.A. Express are open Army-wide and only the best are selected. Jaggie was one of six performers selected to comprise the band. He auditioned by sending a DVD filmed at Camp Justice along with his resume. His reasons for auditioning were to go on a world tour and play music, which he loves to do.
While on tour, Jaggie visited several different areas of the world singing and strumming on the guitar.
"We visited Puerto Rico, Hawaii, Guantanamo Bay, Alaska, South Korea, Japan and different cities across the United States," Jaggie said. "We played at different installations in the respective countries we visited."
Jaggie stated that one of his favorite parts of touring with the band was traveling and becoming more comfortable on stage.
"I really enjoyed the traveling aspect of it and seeing all the different parts of the pacific, particularly Alaska," Jaggie said. "It was a really good experience."
While on tour, Jaggie grew as a performer and he noted both rewards and challenges.
"The toughest part was definitely the long hours and constantly living out of a suitcase," Jaggie said. "The days were long. We would travel for eight or nine hours and have to set-up the stage, perform and then tear it all down."
One of the scheduled stops on the tour was Guantanamo. As Jaggie is currently stationed here, he enjoyed performing for familiar faces.
"I really enjoyed when we came to Guantanamo," Jaggie said. "It was the only place I got to perform for people I know. After being away for two months, it was nice to come back and see everyone."
After a great experience, Jaggie said he is ready to be back in Guantanamo. He departs Guantanamo this month and plans to go home and continue playing music, as well as other aspirations.
"I am leaving the Army and going home to finish my business degree over the summer," Jaggie said. "I plan to take the CPA exam at the end of 2010. I am going to resume working as a musician part-time. Also, I am looking forward to spending time with my wife."
Subscribe
