Military or Teach?

Annie · 09-27-2009, 10:29 AM

Ok, I'm in a bit of a dilemma. I'm not sure I'd like to continue teaching, or join the military...and it'd be nice to get some opinions from people on either side of the fence.

mimic · 09-27-2009, 11:15 AM

I am neither in the military or a teacher, (although did go to college for my teaching degree but never used it). Alot of my family fall into one of these two vocations, career military or teaching. My observations on how they lived their life and the level of enjoyment they claimed would be qualified by where the either taught or served. A teaching job in a state like mine, Pennsylvania, is a very good job, high pay and benefits, security and respect. In alot of southern states teaching is barely recognized as a worthwile job and is compensated as such. So if teaching go north of the mason-dixon line. The military has a lot to do with your rate, (job), and the luck of the draw. My older brother was a career aerographers mate, (weather man), and he had a fantastic career. Easy asignments, no bad deployments, fast promotions, great work enviro.,(office). My other brother was in advanced electronic warfare, sounded like it ought to be good, and spent most of his time in fleet duty in crapholes of the world.

rowuk · 09-27-2009, 08:19 PM

I was a trumpet player in the Army band in Stuttgart, Germany. It was a fantastic experience and definitely helps my teaching today. Music was not always our main focus, but I did get to play enough every day, the quality of the music was VERY high and I grew up a lot.

I don't think it is an either or, it is a question if you want that type of discipline.

Annie, get your gun!

Jurandr · 09-27-2009, 10:26 PM

My band director is a former marine and is very fond of the marine band. If you make it in the band it is a very distinguished position (unless you're a male flutist, or the drill sergeants will pick on you.)
Good luck with whichever you decide!

lmf · 09-28-2009, 12:23 AM

Annie,

You have your whole life ahead of you to teach. The military band experience may be something that you can pursue right now and add to your skills for later. Those you approach who have served in a military band unit...what do they tell you? Would they do it again? I suspect most would say it has enhanced their skills and discipline needed to become a better teacher. If you have the skills and opportunity to serve in the military as a musician, you may find that is the path for you. At least you will look back and say: "I followed my dream" and it may also leave a positive mark on your teaching resume for the future.

Best wishes,

Lloyd

Annie · 09-28-2009, 01:41 AM

Thanks everyone for the comments! I know it's something I'm going to work towards. At the moment, I still have two years of teaching to finish before I'm done. So it's going to be a bit delayed, but it is something I'll be doing.

Things I'm doing to prep:

*Taking lessons from an AMAZING trumpet player - John Blount - if you are ANYWHERE near the Baltimore area, you gotta get a lesson with him. If you don't know, he was the lead player in the Navy Commodores for 15 years. It's rare to find someone who not only plays extremely well, but is also a great teacher. John Blount - Trumpet Virtuoso and Master Teacher

*P90x - It's a very tough fitness routine. Two years of working with my fitness, and I should have no problem getting in.

*Double checking with a recruiter to make sure that there isn't anything other than weight that would keep me from enlisting.

tedh1951 · 09-28-2009, 02:44 AM

Annie,

Just as a post-script for you - as an Engineering Trainer (Teacher) one of the basic tenants of the relationship between me and my students is for me to establish 'street cred' - and you don't get that by only teaching. Life experience gives your message substance - it gives you the perspective of the learner - and if you think that the learner is not the focus of your teaching, then you have it wrong. Good luck.

Sofus · 09-28-2009, 03:32 AM

Thank you for the John Blount clip, Annie!
He certainly is a fantastic trumpet player!!

Wish I could help you choosing . . .

Annie · 09-28-2009, 11:37 PM

Yeah - my favorite off of his website & CD is Firedance. I swear I'm going to try to transpose it (after I'm a bit more confident in that range)...

Sofus · 09-29-2009, 03:28 AM

Quote:

I swear I'm going to try to transpose it (after I'm a bit more confident in that range)...

Upwards?

09-27-2009, 10:29 AM	#1
Annie Piano User Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 442	Military or Teach? Ok, I'm in a bit of a dilemma. I'm not sure I'd like to continue teaching, or join the military...and it'd be nice to get some opinions from people on either side of the fence. __________________ ~Annie I may not be great yet, but I'm working hard on it and one day I'm gonna be there.

09-27-2009, 11:15 AM	#2
mimic Pianissimo User Join Date: May 2009 Location: Pennsylvania Posts: 119	Re: Military or Teach? I am neither in the military or a teacher, (although did go to college for my teaching degree but never used it). Alot of my family fall into one of these two vocations, career military or teaching. My observations on how they lived their life and the level of enjoyment they claimed would be qualified by where the either taught or served. A teaching job in a state like mine, Pennsylvania, is a very good job, high pay and benefits, security and respect. In alot of southern states teaching is barely recognized as a worthwile job and is compensated as such. So if teaching go north of the mason-dixon line. The military has a lot to do with your rate, (job), and the luck of the draw. My older brother was a career aerographers mate, (weather man), and he had a fantastic career. Easy asignments, no bad deployments, fast promotions, great work enviro.,(office). My other brother was in advanced electronic warfare, sounded like it ought to be good, and spent most of his time in fleet duty in crapholes of the world.

09-27-2009, 08:19 PM	#3
rowuk Moderator Utimate User Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Germany Posts: 7,365	Re: Military or Teach? I was a trumpet player in the Army band in Stuttgart, Germany. It was a fantastic experience and definitely helps my teaching today. Music was not always our main focus, but I did get to play enough every day, the quality of the music was VERY high and I grew up a lot. I don't think it is an either or, it is a question if you want that type of discipline. Annie, get your gun! __________________ Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

09-28-2009, 12:23 AM	#5
lmf Mezzo Piano User Join Date: May 2007 Location: Warsaw, Indiana Posts: 631	Re: Military or Teach? Annie, You have your whole life ahead of you to teach. The military band experience may be something that you can pursue right now and add to your skills for later. Those you approach who have served in a military band unit...what do they tell you? Would they do it again? I suspect most would say it has enhanced their skills and discipline needed to become a better teacher. If you have the skills and opportunity to serve in the military as a musician, you may find that is the path for you. At least you will look back and say: "I followed my dream" and it may also leave a positive mark on your teaching resume for the future. Best wishes, Lloyd

09-28-2009, 01:41 AM	#6
Annie Piano User Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 442	Re: Military or Teach? Thanks everyone for the comments! I know it's something I'm going to work towards. At the moment, I still have two years of teaching to finish before I'm done. So it's going to be a bit delayed, but it is something I'll be doing. Things I'm doing to prep: Taking lessons from an AMAZING trumpet player - John Blount - if you are ANYWHERE near the Baltimore area, you gotta get a lesson with him. If you don't know, he was the lead player in the Navy Commodores for 15 years. It's rare to find someone who not only plays extremely well, but is also a great teacher. John Blount - Trumpet Virtuoso and Master Teacher P90x - It's a very tough fitness routine. Two years of working with my fitness, and I should have no problem getting in. Double checking with a recruiter to make sure that there isn't anything other than weight that would keep me from enlisting. __________________ ~Annie I may not be great yet, but I'm working hard on it and one day I'm gonna be there.*

09-28-2009, 02:44 AM	#7
tedh1951 Forte User Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia Posts: 2,420	Re: Military or Teach? Annie, Just as a post-script for you - as an Engineering Trainer (Teacher) one of the basic tenants of the relationship between me and my students is for me to establish 'street cred' - and you don't get that by only teaching. Life experience gives your message substance - it gives you the perspective of the learner - and if you think that the learner is not the focus of your teaching, then you have it wrong. Good luck. __________________ . Ted

09-28-2009, 03:32 AM	#8
Sofus Forte User Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Helsingborg, Sweden Posts: 1,313	Re: Military or Teach? Thank you for the John Blount clip, Annie! He certainly is a fantastic trumpet player!! Wish I could help you choosing . . . __________________ " There are no secrets to trumpetplaying - except Practice Your Head Off - and that´s no secret! " Bud Herseth 1977 in Hamar, Norway ******************** Mouthpiece and Solidarity

09-28-2009, 11:37 PM	#9
Annie Piano User Join Date: Nov 2003 Posts: 442	Re: Military or Teach? Yeah - my favorite off of his website & CD is Firedance. I swear I'm going to try to transpose it (after I'm a bit more confident in that range)... __________________ ~Annie I may not be great yet, but I'm working hard on it and one day I'm gonna be there.

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