Marine Corps Musician Enlistment Option Program
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The Marine Corps Musician Enlistment Option Program (MEOP) is the central organized body overseeing the active-duty military bands of the United States Marine Corps. Marine Corps field bands can be found in the Southeast United States, Southern California, and the Pacific-Asia region. While serving with their bands, Marines perform throughout the continental United States and travel internationally to locations ranging from Beijing to Paris. These units take part in activities such as retirement ceremonies, the Marine Corps Birthday Ball, funerals, change of commands, and civil/military parades. It is one of two music programs in the Department of the Navy, with the other being Fleet Band Activities.
Training
All USMC field bands are required to perform as a range of ensembles such as ceremonial band and big band. Additionally, the bands are required to engage in regular Marine training and uphold the standards for Marines.[1] When deployed on duty, Marine bands serve as provisional rifle platoons and rear area security for the commanding officer.[2] Individual musicians can also request for augmentation into combat arms units.[3][4]
All Marine musicians are required to audition for a placement in the music program. They then go through recruit training at one of two Marine bases. Upon graduation, musicians attend the United States Navy School of Music in Virginia.[5] The first Marine Corps students were enrolled in the school of music in 1947. During their stay at the school, they attend a six-month basic music course, which involves weekly private instrumental instruction, ear training, as well as music theory. After their training is complete, Marine musicians are then transferred to their bands for permanent duty.
List of Marine bands
The United States Marine Band is the USMC's central band and the seniormost band in the USMC. It is a premier ensemble, which means that its duties are of a high natures and includes duties in Washington D.C., the national capital. The United States Marine Drum and Bugle Corps is another USMC premier ensemble based in the national capital.
There are also 10 field bands maintained by Marine wings/divisions:[6][7]
- Quantico Marine Corps Band (Quantico, Virginia)
- Parris Island Marine Band (Parris Island, South Carolina)
- Marine Corps Band San Diego (San Diego, California)
- 1st Marine Division Band (Camp Pendleton, California)
- 2nd Marine Division Band (Camp Lejeune, North Carolina)
- 2nd Marine Aircraft Wing Band (Cherry Point, North Carolina)
- 3rd Marine Aircraft Wing Band (Miramar, San Diego, California)
- Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band (Marine Corps Base Hawaii)
- III Marine Expeditionary Force Band (Camp Courtney, Japan)
- Marine Forces Reserve Band (New Orleans, Louisiana)
The ad hoc West Coast Composite Band and East Coast Composite Band is also maintained. The former is often available at the Rose Parade[8] in California while the latter often performs at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York. Bands not currently in service have included the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center Twentynine Palms Band and the Albany Marine Band.
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