JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash., - Amid a drizzly Washington morning, a talented group of musicians eagerly exit their van onto a damp and foggy field with just a few shanty-like buildings set off in the far corner.
These musicians are unlike the every-day artist a person might find across the country.
They are Soldiers from the Texas Army National Guard's 36th Infantry Division Band, and they are here to do more than just toot their horns.
the time the sun has long since set and the cold darkness of night envelopes the scene, these soldiers will have successfully entered and cleared the buildings, routed enemy forces and saved countless civilians as a result.
"[Today's] training was really advantageous for us because we really don't do that kind of stuff," said Kyle, Texas native, 1st Sgt. Marvin S. Housley, non-commissioned officer in charge of the 36th ID Band. "We are musicians so doing these kinds of things are very enlightening."
The band members started the day with the traditional "walkthroughs" of what is expected of them. This included entering and clearing different rooms at a variety of training speeds. Not only are they expected to safely navigate themselves through this gauntlet, but they are also expected to be able to protect any civilian life they may encounter.
Once 1st Corps instructors are confident in the unit's ability to perform the task, they will repeat the task using blank ammunition and eventually live rounds.
"It used to be doctrine that the band would augment the military police or provide tactical operation center security around the Division Main," said Housley. "That doctrine has really changed and most people don't realize that. Our mission is music; that's it."
"[It was] pretty high speed training," said 20-yearold French horn player Spc. Preston M. Hussman, a native of Burleson, Texas. "It was kind of scary in ways; you had to deal with live rounds and had to trust your buddies... [but] I really enjoyed it."