<p>Are their any Band Company parents, or a band Mid, that can tell me if they are happy with the decision they made about joining band?</p>
<p>hahaha, i donno man, i just don't know</p>
<p>Now come on Davy...give the kid a good answer :D You know you love band co.</p>
<p>avoid band co like the plague...
trust me, it's not worth it.</p>
<p>just stay away at first. It would be much easier to transfer in after a while than it would be to escape if put there first. Remember: options are your friend :)</p>
<p><chirp... chirp...="" bweeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeepppppppp!="">
uh oh.. You guys have gone and done it again...</chirp...></p>
<h2>You've MELTED my sarcasm monitor... Overloaded... Again.. Dang. Ill have to go buy another one.</h2>
<p>If you enjoy it, do it. </p>
<p>I think they do a great job... And other mids were appreciative(sort of) at Beat Retreat/Parents Weekend.... "Hey.. they really DO know more than two songs... <smirk> (I guess they don't often go through their whole folder).</smirk></p>
<p>I've seen kids who stay in it, and really like it.
I've seen other kids who've wound up in other companies.</p>
<p>Again, if you want to be in Band Company, it is one of the FEW times you get asked about anything and have a chance of getting it your whole Plebe year ;)</p>
<p>but you can't leave prior to graduation, even if that means that you miss your ship... Captain Force has a history of screwing over people on almost a daily basis. </p>
<p>i have a lot of good friends and band company and the truth is, most of them really don't like it. it's a ton of extra work, minimum reward, and more BS than the other companies. learn from those that made the mistake, seriously, avoid band land at all costs. you'll be thankful you did.
they're "the pride of the regiment" which is more laughable than anything else. and most band co kids agree that it's a crummy thing.</p>
<p>Actually, kp2001, though it's difficult to transfer out of band company, it's impossible to transfer into it.</p>
<p>There are both ups and downs to being in band co. First of all, the rest of the regiment pokes fun at band co for being music dorks, but the irony is that most of the people in other companies were in band themselves at some point.</p>
<p>The biggest complaints that Ive heard around campus about being in band co are that Beat Retreat practices in the fall conflict with sports practices and that having band practice every morning wastes time. During first trimester of my plebe year, I had sailing practice four days a week from 1600 until 1830, ate dinner, and then had Beat Retreat practice on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 1900 until about 2030, and still managed to get all of my homework done. So its definitely possible since I wasnt the only one who did that. As for the morning practices, they only occur during warm weather when we play for morning colors. Theyre not bad either; they last from 0720 to 0740 and we dont play for the entire time either.</p>
<p>However, you'd be presented with a lot more opportunities if you join band co. This past summer, the band (including all of the plebe candidates) went to Canada for a week before any of the other plebe candidates had ever been on liberty. It was an all-inclusive trip and we had liberty every night. Throughout the year, band goes to a few gigs in New York City or in Washington DC. These trips not only provide a break from classes and time to relax away from the regiment, but many midshipmen get job opportunities on these gigs since most of them are Maritime Administration-related.</p>
<p>As for CAPT Force, is2day4him, he has been here for decades and he knows what hes doing. Ive had experience working with him closely and he is your best friend and your worst enemy. He will stick up for you when you need it, but Ive also been personally berated by him for messing up during morning colors (this is while I was in a command position of the band, so dont worry about him personally yelling at you for missing a note). The idea is to take his comments with a grain of salt and just continue with your business.</p>
<p>It is true that if youre not out at sea, you are required to stay to play for graduation (instead of leaving after your last final exam). This year, graduation is four days after the last day of final exams, so its not too much longer that you have to stay. Besides, we get extra privileges to make up for having to stay (last weekend band co alone was granted a long weekend for this reason).</p>
<p>My suggestion would be to sign up for band company and try it out your plebe year. If you dont like it, then sign up to be B-Split and then you wouldnt be here for Beat Retreat for your 3rd or 2nd class years, or try to transfer out. But at this point in time, its essentially impossible to switch into band company later.</p>
<p>In all, I am very happy that I decided to be in band company. Everybody told me to avoid band like the plague and I myself asked a lot of peoples advice on it. In the end, I ended up in a smaller company (band co is only about half the size of the rest) where I know everybody a lot better and we all have something in common.</p>
<p>PS Though band co has traditionally lower PFA scores, we also have traditionally higher GPAs. You tell me whats more important.</p>
<p>i still say it's not worth it.
systemsmid, i truly have to say that you're the only person i've spoken to that likes being in band.
sure those in band like the friends they made there, but i feel the same way about my company.
sure there are perks, but i don't think they outweigh all the BS you have to wade through to get to the perks.
mcrobbiej, if you want to be in band company then do it. if you're hesitant about it, then run away.
i think my biggest issue with band co is the substancially higher number of "tools" you find there. typically anytime you hear of someone screwing over his/ her classmates, it's someone from band co.
that's all.
: )</p>
<p>
[quote]
PS – Though band co has traditionally lower PFA scores, we also have traditionally higher GPAs. You tell me what’s more important.
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Have any data to back this up? I additionally don't think that being in band would have any plus or minus on your GPA, simply one's own brain and work ethic. </p>
<p>As to CAPT Force: He is one of the things that is "wrong" with the Academy. The day he is out of uniform is the day things will be more "right" with him. Sorry, you can't try and uphold uniform standards with somebody like that wearing a uniform. All people in uniform (instructors included) should be held to the same standards.</p>
<p>agreed...
hey kp2001, wasn't it your class that stole his golf cart and ran it into the sound?</p>
<p>also, if Band Co typically has higher GPAs then why did 2007 have ZERO B-Splitters left, they started with about 30% B split and they all failed out... hmmmm... </p>
<p>and just because Capt Force has been there for decades doesn't mean anything. tenure does not equal competence. he manipulates situations and throws fits until he gets what he wants, regardless of what is best for the mids that he screws over.
i have substancial formal musical training, and i would loathe working with that man. once again, if you want to be in band company, that's totally up to you, but my advice (for whatever it's worth) is stay away! :)</p>
<p>I don't mean to digress, but can somebody share what a B-split(ter) is please? Thanks!</p>
<p>This is a good question, and has gotten some good viewpoints supported on both sides.</p>
<p>But I've watched other threads dissolve into gripe sessions recently.
ALOT goes right, and there is a lot of value.
There are tons of options for you...
Some will be great, some... not so great.
Most ALL of them will be hard your first year.</p>
<p>It WILL be, however, a measure/test of your character and maturity on HOW you respond to the challanges(adversities) presented to you.</p>
<p>Now, I DO understand that it is the DAY BEFORE exams start. This is a very tense time. So, I'm just assuming some of these Mids are needing some chocolate or something. :)</p>
<p>...
And if you are looking towards applying to KP...
understand that it is tough. ALL the academies are tough.
Although I haven't see it officially listed in the transcripts,
"__ i t c h i n g and C o m p l a i n i n g " will be one of the first not-for-credit classes you take, with a lab in "W h i n i n g and M o a n i n g / G r o a n i n g". Apparantly, there are some STELLAR achievers from those courses ;)</p>
<p>(not throwing rocks.. My mid is revved up to MrSuperNegative too. If he contacts any positive energy, the results will cancel each other out with a blinding flash of light, and a tremendous release of other energy. Right now, not too much positive energy there to worry about. )</p>
<p>sorry about all the negativity... it's been a rough term for all envolved.
i'll do my part to be more positive
:)</p>
<p>is2day...negative? Never :D</p>
<p>Zach...a B-spliter refers to when the sea time is during 3C and 2C year. A split for the class of 2011 Leaves in November, a B split leaves right after graduation next week.</p>
<p>Actually is2day, that would be the class of 2000's claim to fame. Happened over graduation weekend and the favored mode of transportation was found several months later sticking up out of the water at the end of the pier.</p>
<p>that's incredible... you think they might pull it again at the 10 year homecoming?</p>
<p>You could even one up the Class of 2000 ..do a combo move...weld the thing to the flag pole instead of a VW (think 1958 did that).</p>
<p>I wouldn't give them any ideas, ha :)</p>
<p>I think before it made it to the water it made a few stops: the park, the steps of Wiley Hall, and a few other places.</p>
<p>is2day4him, you are full of it, everyone knows it, and i only wish that i could name you in this anonymous forum.</p>
<p>I would like to start by letting everyone know the he has claimed to have been an enlisted navy seal. I remember in the first trimester of plebe year, he told me that he was offered a 'scholarship' to the naval academy if he would play paintball for them. Possible red flag? I think so. is2day4him has a reputation at this school of making wildly outlandish statements in order to bolster his ego. Seriously, the kid needs a leash...</p>
<p>I would really like for is2day4him to cite a few examples of Captain Force 'screwing people over on an almost daily basis'. If anything, he does nothing but provide major services to the academy. Could it be that he simply follows the outrageous claims of petty midshipmen in years before his? I don't know, but he consistently complements Beat Retreat every year to all of his classmates within the band. Actually, he has even participated in the beat retreat in the past, albeit as a flag bearer, something a trained monkey could do. </p>
<p>is2day4him claims the the highest percentage of 'tools' come out of band. Lets take a look at the shining examples of humanity from his company. Did anyone take a moment to think about who his CC was for 1st rotation, class of 2008? Hmm, or maybe even the second rotation CC? Yes, we have had our fare share of losers in 2008, but once you look at the outstanding record of midshipman backstabbery in his and other companies, you will realize that this is not a reason to 'avoid band like the plague'.</p>
<p>hmm, substantial musical training is2day4him? it sure didn't show this year at the talent show my friend. Did your substantial musical training and smug attitude come purely from all the granola crunchers you had teaching you music in high school? I don't know, but I think when a band is invited to open a foreign country's national ceremonies over their own bands, any claims that the band is crummy become null and void.</p>
<p>Please, please show me when its a ton of extra BS for minimal reward. If we are to consider BS here, consider that is2day4him's company was stuck doing drill all afternoon while band was free to study for finals. Remember is2dayforhim, there is no greater BS than trying to save the regiment on the last day of classes.</p>
<p>For perspective band guys out there, take all of his negativity with a grain of salt. is2day4him's greatest contribution to this academy thus far has been a hilarious parody of the story of Cinderella. He is often seen brandishing the reserve officer's ribbon, which cost him $2.</p>
<p>real men of genius salutes you is2day4him, no discussion board would be complete without your baseless bashing of a worthwhile organization.</p>
<p>Disrespectfully Submitted,
A concerned student
2010</p>