There is something poetic about Beyonce lip-syncing the National Anthem during the Inauguration

[Fmedges]

The Marine Band recruits experienced musicians; members are selected through a rigorous audition procedure and must satisfy additional security and physical requirements to be eligible. Selected band members serve under a four-year contract as active dutyenlisted Marines and are subject to the Uniform Code of Military Justice and physical standards. They are the only members of the United States Armed Forces not required to undergo recruit training and do not perform combat missions. Also, they are not assigned to any unit other than the Marine Band.
The band members start at the rank of Staff Sergeant, and wear rank insignia with a lyre replacing the normal crossed rifles. Commissioned officers are drawn from the band, although Drum Majors are career Marines and are selected from Fleet Marine Force bands, as they are responsible for the military development of the band's members.

As far as I'm concerned, signing a contract and just showing up while getting E-6 pay while in a non combat band unit, doesn't make a Marine.

[Teufelhund]

I didn't know that either. If you didn't go through bootcamp and earn the title, you aren't a Marine.

Except Navy Corpsman - the ones I served with were some hard-charging mother F'ers. They are Honorary Marines as far as I'm concerned.

[sellersm]

I find it quite fitting! Might as well ask Milli Vanilli to sing...

[HBARleatherneck]

delete

[BigBear]

"Band fags"? Really? ... What would your daily life be like without music? (PERFECT silence Bear). Can't win 'em all. Carry on....

[HBARleatherneck]

delete

[Ronin13]

"Band fags"? Really? ... What would your daily life be like without music? (PERFECT silence Bear). Can't win 'em all. Carry on....

SPAM- Shitbags Posing As Marines... that's what he meant by band fags. I don't think he means that all band folk are fags or bad for that matter...

[BigBear]

Yes Sir,
I am a little touchy. I try and teach humanity to some down and out folks through the means of music. It's a constant fight I have. I fight for budget, I fight to turn the attitude of musicians are "band fags", I fight parents not giving a rats butt about their own offspring, I fight kids who don't give a crap, I fight it all. On top of it, I fight myself as I tried my hardest to do my duty but due to health reasons after the stupid car wreck in high school I was not able. I "WON" several very high profile auditions (including the '09 opening in THE Presidents Own band) but could never sign the papers due to my "problems". I can still run, jump, and shoot so I never understood their rebuttals. But by God, do I envy those musicians in all the branches who are able to put on the uniform and do what I can only dream of. Maybe I am a bit touchy, so I apologize. I just think we can find better ways to express it than "band fags". I understand your position, but man... Anyways, I have a class to go teach.

[Ghosty]

Who cares, I doubt those guys are running around town pretending to be "real Marines", or taking credit for going through bootcamp or into combat. They probably honor and appreciate the real Marines as much as anyone. And they fulfil a service that might not otherwise be able to be filled by "real" Marines.

[BPTactical]

A fake performance for a fake CIC.



Fits don't it?