[efs111]

And friend of mine is the commander of the US Air Force Band in Japan. She says the band's do anything lot for morale and as ambassadorsuch for the US. This is yet another example of what budget cuts are doing to the military.

[Lisbon1940]

This is the GOP replacement for Gabrielle Giffords.

[Drango]

I was at an indoor mall in Phoenix. Air Force band with 30+ people put on a nice show, but multiply that by 50 shows a year...it’s a waste of money.

[real saxophonist]

One of the main functions of the bands is outreach between the base and the community. Playing at schools, marching in parades, education and recruiting. I guess all that would go away.

[BwanaNdege]

sponsored by former A-10 pilot Rep. Martha McSally, R-Ariz.

I think Rep McSally just found $500 million to keep the A-10's available for the Army & Marines Close Air Support.

(I'd prefer those funds come out of illegal alien support or Congressional perks)

[bgill]

A military band would be a lot less expensive than whatever civilian musicians they could ever hope to hire. But, hey, it’s not like it’s their money.

[Salvation]

Sad.

We need to build up our military again.

[Not A Snowbird]

$11K for a flute? My oboe cost $2400. Perhaps they should look at their procurement policies.

[DH]

Military bands will be replaced by Rap noise and loud Mexican bands.

Also, the American flag will no longer be flown or displayed at these events. The Black lives matter and Mexican flags will replace them.

[SoCal Pubbie]

President Trump will find a network to host America’s Armed Forces Have Talent, a competition pitting Army, Navy, Marine, Air Force, and Coast Guard participants to determine the best performers among the military. The broadcast rights will fund military bands for several years.

Next problem?

[moovova]

"HEY! We can't afford you anymore. So go home."

[dfwgator]

Music is Haram.

[yefragetuwrabrumuy]

A great alternative for active duty military units would be to use unit “morale” funds to hire military reenactment bands. They might even contract with an entire fort to work at dozens of non-official and non-funeral events.

Such bands often have rare period instruments and play music of historical relevance. They might even have vocalists.

[Mike Darancette]

Bet they will play at Obama parties.

[aquila48]

Half a billion per year for bands? I find that utterly ludicrous. The defense department is like all other bureaucracies, wasteful, bloated and unaccountable.

[Bull Snipe]

I expect we could easily save that much money out of the Air Force budget if they didn’t fly the big cheese and his family to Hawaii or Martha’s vineyard so often.