Not surprised by that figure. The bands are large, and have a big transportation budget. For budgetary calculations, figure 20 years at full pay and benefits, and funding another 40 years of retirement and veterans’ benefits.
BTW, cost of fulltime employees at private/public owned corporations that offer similar benefits are the same, if not more (thing UAW workers).
I’m surprised at the extent is all. My experience 1968-1976 didn’t give me any sense that Music was this much involved.
I did funeral detail in 69 before going overseas and we had a bugler but the others among us were volunteers who got per diem mostly and a day off from duty if the funeral conflicted with work.
I started as an E-1 making about $94/month and ended as an E-5 after 8 years making about $600/month. Hardly budget breaking then I guess.
What I DO agree with is cutting out all Military Honorifics for f@cking politicians. To my mind, they should be lauded by Prison Bands, if that.