Regional Band

What does the Regional Band career field do?

Manages, supervises, and performs as an instrumentalist, music arranger, vocalist, or audio engineer in Air Force regional band activities. Related DoD Occupational Subgroup: 145000.

Duties and responsibilities

• Instrumentalists perform on one or more musical instruments in a variety of musical performing units to include (but not limited to): marching band, concert band, jazz band, popular music ensemble, quintet, quartet, or soloist. Arrangers adapt music into customized musical arrangements and create original music for various musical ensembles. Vocalists read, sing, and memorize vocal parts for public performance. Vocalists perform in a variety of musical performing units to include (but not limited to): chorus, popular musical ensemble, jazz band, country band, quartet, and soloist. Audio Engineers operate and maintain audio reinforcement, recording, lighting, video, and multimedia equipment used during rehearsals and performances. All members of this career field drill with the marching band and execute commands based on drum major verbal or non-verbal direction while playing and carrying a musical instrument. All members perform under conductor, NCOIC, section leader or drum major direction.
• Plans, organizes, directs, inspects, and performs band activities. Members analyze musical requirements and provide appropriate musical support. Members plan, schedule, and coordinate rehearsals, ceremonies, master classes, and performances. Members advise higher authority on band status, equipment maintenance and requirements, personnel training, and operational efficiency. Members manage and/or perform other duties in unit support functions such as Operations, Readiness, Administrative Support, Publicity, and Resources.

Specialty qualifications

Knowledge. The following knowledge is mandatory as indicated:

• For entry into this specialty, knowledge will be demonstrated to a band commander or designate through a mandatory standardized audition process. Task qualification levels and audition requirements are specified in the 3N1CFETP.
• For instrumentalists: instrumental solo and ensemble performance techniques, music theory, rehearsal techniques, and the ability to read printed music.
• For vocalists: vocal solo and ensemble performance techniques, music theory, rehearsal techniques, the ability to read printed music, and the ability to sing in a foreign language.
• For arrangers: music theory, transposition, capabilities of instruments authorized for Air Force bands, and the ability to arrange and compose music using industry standard software.
• For audio engineers: sound reinforcement and recording theory and application, lighting, video, and multimedia technology.

Education.

• For entry into all specialty shredouts, completion of high school or general educational development equivalency is mandatory.
• For entry into this specialty as an instrumentalist, vocalist or arranger, course in applied instrumental or vocal music, composition, music theory, music history, harmony, ear training, and/or transposition of music are desirable.
• For entry in this specialty as an audio engineer, course in sound reinforcement, electronics, recording techniques and/or music editing are desirable.

Training.

• For award of the 3-skill level, completion of Basic Military Training as a member of the Drum and Bugle Corps flight, or completion of the Prior Sister Service Course is required. Standardized audition fulfills all other 3-level requirements.

Experience. The following experience is mandatory for award of the AFSC indicated.

• 3N151X. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 3N131X. Experience performing as an instrumentalist, music arranger, vocalist, or audio and lighting engineer, as well as experience performing other band activities.
• 3N171X. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 3N151X. Experience performing as an instrumentalist, music arranger, vocalist, or audio and lighting engineer, as well as experience performing other band activities. Also, experience supervising and performing with band, choruses, or similar groups.
• 3N191. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 3N171X. Experience directing and planning functions such as providing musical services, training musical groups, and performing administrative functions. Also, experience supervising and performing with bands, choruses, or similar groups.
• 3N100. Qualification in and possession of 3N191 AFSC. Experience in managing and directing band and administrative functions.

Other. The following are mandatory as indicated:

• For entry into suffixes A-V, pre-qualification via standardized audition process is mandatory. Use 3N1/2 CFETP as reference.
• For entry into suffix Z, pre-qualification via standardized audition process in one of the musical instruments/specialties listed in paragraph 4 is mandatory. For award of the 3-level in suffix Z, follow-on training as outlined in 3N1/2 CFETP and AFI 35-110 is mandatory.
• See attachment 4 for entry requirements.
• For award and retention of these AFSCs, must maintain local network access IAW AFI 17-130, Cybersecurity Program Management and AFMAN 17-1301, Computer Security.

Civilian career paths

Comparable civilian careers for this field pay roughly $51,560–$133,460 per year (median salaries; varies by role and location):

• Advertising and Promotions Managers: $133,460
• Agents and Business Managers of Artists, Performers, and Athletes: $75,420
• Art, Drama, and Music Teachers, Postsecondary: $69,690
• Audio and Video Technicians: $47,920
• Disc Jockeys   N/A
• General and Operations Managers: $103,650
• Human Resources Managers: $121,220
• Human Resources Specialists: $63,490
• Lighting Technicians: $70,980
• Meeting, Convention, and Event Planners: $51,560
• Middle School Teachers: $60,810
• Music Directors and Composers: $52,250
• Music Therapists: $57,310
• Musical Instrument Repairers and Tuners: $36,810
• Musicians and Singers   N/A
• Producers and Directors: $76,400
• Purchasing Managers: $125,940
• Secondary School Teachers: $62,870
• Sound Engineering Technicians: $53,520
• Talent Directors: $76,400
• Training and Development Managers: $115,640