AFSC Menu
Summary
Manages, supervises, and performs as an instrumentalist, music arranger, vocalist, librarian, or audio and lighting engineer in the USAF Band.
Bonus
None
Identifier(s)
Band Badge
Community College of the Air Force Degree
Military Technology & Applied Sciences Management
Entry Requirements
Testing
Administrative - 21
OR
General - 24
Strength
Must be able to lift 40 lbs
Duties and Responsibilities
Duties:
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):
Audio Engineers operate and maintain audio reinforcement, recording, lighting, video, and multimedia equipment used during rehearsals and performances.
Some 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 support functions such as Operations, Readiness, Administrative Support, Publicity, and Resources.
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.
- String ensemble.
- Quintet.
- Quartet.
- Soloist.
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.
- Soloist.
Audio Engineers operate and maintain audio reinforcement, recording, lighting, video, and multimedia equipment used during rehearsals and performances.
Some 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 support functions such as Operations, Readiness, Administrative Support, Publicity, and Resources.
Demographics
Males | Females | Total |
|---|---|---|
125 (77.6%) | 36 (22.4%) | 161 |
Specialty Qualifications
Knowledge-
Library science and the ability to read printed music.
For arrangers:
For entry into this specialty, completion of high school or general educational development equivalency is mandatory.
For entry into this specialty as an instrumentalist, vocalist or arranger, courses in applied instrumental or vocal music, composition, music theory, music history, harmony, ear training, and/or transposition of music are desirable.
For entry into this specialty as a librarian, courses in music history and library sciences are desirable.
For entry into this specialty as an audio engineer, course in sound reinforcement, electronics, recording techniques, and/or music editing are desirable.
Training-
For award of the 7-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.
Experience-
The following experience is mandatory for award of AFSC indicated:
The following are mandatory as indicated:
For entry into this specialty:
The following knowledge is mandatory as indicated:
- For entry into this specialty, knowledge will be demonstrated to a premier band commander or designate through a standardized audition process. Commander will determine task qualification level and may tailor requirements to suit local needs.
- Instrumental solo and ensemble performance techniques.
- Music theory.
- Rehearsal techniques.
- The ability to read printed music.
- Vocal solo and ensemble performance techniques.
- Music theory.
- Rehearsal techniques.
- Ability to read printed music.
- The ability to sing in a foreign language.
Library science and the ability to read printed music.
For arrangers:
- Music theory.
- Transposition.
- Capabilities of instruments authorized for Air Force bands.
- The ability to arrange and compose music using industry standard software.
- sound reinforcement theory and application, lighting, video, and multimedia technology.
For entry into this specialty, completion of high school or general educational development equivalency is mandatory.
For entry into this specialty as an instrumentalist, vocalist or arranger, courses in applied instrumental or vocal music, composition, music theory, music history, harmony, ear training, and/or transposition of music are desirable.
For entry into this specialty as a librarian, courses in music history and library sciences are desirable.
For entry into this specialty as an audio engineer, course in sound reinforcement, electronics, recording techniques, and/or music editing are desirable.
Training-
For award of the 7-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.
Experience-
The following experience is mandatory for award of AFSC indicated:
- 3N251. This AFSC is not used except under extraordinary circumstance such as, but not limited to, demotion. Consult with CFM prior to award.
- 3N271. Pre-qualification via standardized audition process and assignment to The United States Air Force Band. Pre-qualification demonstrates experience performing as an instrumentalist, music arranger, vocalist, or audio engineer.
- 3N291. Qualification in and possession of AFSC 3N271. Experience directing and planning band activities such as providing musical services, training musical groups, and performing administrative functions. Also, experience supervising and performing with bands, choruses, or similar groups.
The following are mandatory as indicated:
For entry into this specialty:
- Pre-qualification via standardized audition.
- 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.
- Specialty requires routine access to Tier 3 (T3) information, systems, or similar classified environments. For award and retention of AFSCs 3N2XX, completion of a current T3 Investigation required IAW DoDM 5200.02, AFMAN 16-1405, Air Force Personnel Security Program, is mandatory.
Links
Air Force Page
None
None
Shreadouts
None