Rhythmic tradition

Photo By Jacob Boyer | Spc. Paul Amenta, percussionist with the 94th Army Band, moves down a road, July 18, at the start of the ruck march at the 2012 U.S. Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition at Fort McCoy, Wis. Amenta, a Meriden, Conn., native, is representing the 99th Training Division in the competition.  

FORT MCCOY, WI, UNITED STATES

07.19.2012

Story by Jacob Boyer 

U.S. Army Reserve Command

FORT McCOY, Wis. - Using music to increase the morale and esprit de corps of his fellow troops runs in the blood of one soldier competing in the 2012 U.S. Army Reserve Best Warrior Competition July 15-20 at Fort McCoy, Wis.

Spc. Paul Amenta, a percussionist with the 94th Army Band in East Windsor, Conn., said his father, 1st Sgt. Gerald Amenta, was a big influence on his decision to join the Army Reserve as an instrumentalist seven years ago. First Sgt. Amenta was a baritone player and the top enlisted Soldier in the unit his son joined.

“He pushed for it, especially the Army Reserve,” said Amenta, a Meriden, Conn., native representing the 99th Training Division here. “He was very into me joining the Army Band.”

The 28-year-old Amenta started his musical career early when he got his first drum set at the age of three. He said he enjoys knowing that his unit's music plays a role in lifting the spirits of soldiers and Army communities.

“When I get out there and I'm playing, I'm entertaining and boosting the morale of people. It makes me feel good about what I'm doing,” said Amenta, whose band has played at stateside military posts and in Germany.

In addition to playing music for traditional ceremonies, Amenta also plays in rock and jazz bands with his unit. Hitting precise beats and notes as he practices and performs songs from a number of different genres forces him to focus on every nuance of his craft.

“Being an instrumentalist makes me more detail oriented,” he said. “I have to be precise with notes, pitches and tones. [Similarly], in the field, you have to make sure everyone's gear is up to par and their weapons are clean. When you have that attention to detail that comes from music, it's harder to miss anything.”

When he's not pounding out beats for the 94th Army Band, Amenta runs his own business, Amenta Builders. He and five employees provide home improvement services. He said his time as a Soldier has made him better at managing his employees, especially when he leaves day-to-day operations to spend time in uniform.

“Dealing with non-commissioned officers and finding their leadership qualities, I try to take that to my business” Amenta said. “It's worked hand-in-hand in improving my leadership in general and getting me ready for that next level. Juggling my business and the Army Reserve involves trusting my guys. When I leave, I make sure I've trained them just as well as my NCOs have trained me for this.”

Amenta's wife, Jamie, also comes from a military family. The Amenta's have two daughters, Lindsay and Taylor, and he said both sides of his family are supportive of his efforts in the Army Reserve and here in Wisconsin. He wants to show himself and his family that he has what it takes to compete here.

“I want to get out and show what I've got,” he said. “I'm going to give it my all.”

• Date Taken: 07.19.2012
• Date Posted: 07.19.2012 11:53
• Story ID: 91820
• Location: FORT MCCOY, WI, US
• Hometown: MERIDEN, CT, US