900 Division Q's
 

I have been involved in music for 6 years and have 3 years of performance marching under my belt. I was wondering what kinds of instruments do they take? I have most experience with Bass Clarinet.

For those in the 900 divisions that are out front and are highly visible, it would be like a drumline and flags. Yes there is a band and also choir, but dont march..the "flags" march...it has been a long time since I went to my sons PIR...like 7 years ago! Best thing I would suggest is to look some PIR's up on youtube and watch a couple...

This is the best and most complete PIR I can find:

http://youtu.be/YqvGP6oy6MM

Getting into a 900 takes just a little bit of luck regarding your timing. For example the night you arrive they may be pulling in recruits for staff 900's which don't play instruments at all. You may just have to keep your eyes and ears open the night you arrive and if they are forming up a triple threat div then make your desire known- respectfully. I graduated div. 935 in July of 2012.

M.Holcomb..understand that a 900 division is actually comprised of 2 separate divisions...only half of those during the PIR are actually graduating...if you make a 900 division, you perform in the PIR prior to your own and then the next week your own. That is why they only look for certain slots to fill when new recruits arrive.

They take Clarinet, Flute, Piccolo, Tuba, Trombone, Snare, Bass drum, Trumpet, French horn. Well that was pretty much all that we had when I went through.

Div 924

I graduated Div 945 on the 20th. I was in a triple threat. I was lucky, if I had arrived a day later, I wouldn't have gotten in. We perform at 3 graduations, your own, and the 2 preceding yours.You do get to march, but its just like 100 ft across the front of the drill hall. But getting in is all about luck, the form another triple threat every 3 weeks. They don't have a base clarinet, yet. We just got a new director who is looking to change things up a bit, but go for clarinet first, then ask more later. If you need any advice, just message me, I'll try my best to answer in a timely manner.

I don't remember bass clarinets when I was in either, but I thought there were clarinets. I was in triple threat band as well.. 905 I think.. I don't remember.. but yeah there wasn't that much marching, but there is some.

In ITA school across the street I joined the base band there, we did a few parades out in town, and mainly just practiced on base every few days. It was pretty low key.. but a good thing about being in that base band was we had option to get comrats (food pay) instead of having to eat at the galley.. I think they call it BAS now. anyways, don't know if it's still like that.. but even if you don't go 900 division, you should look into the base band when you get to school.

I may be able to shed further light upon 900 divisions, having graduated from the legendary 944 (CNO GOLD) just a few short weeks ago.

First you must know that there are three different types of 900 divisions. Triple threat, state flags and staff. State flags has a drum line while the rest perform color guard and flags. Triple threat is what you would be hoping to get, as they have an actual band with a wide range of instruments, as well as a rifle handling unit and a choir. Staff divisions provide escorts, body snatchers, seating assistance and ceremonial PIR leaders.

These divisions are on a 3 week rotation, one each week. So that a division performs three PIRs, with the last being their own. Therefore, more luck than anything will determine whether or not you will be able to perform, or even be selected for a 900 division. For example; if you arrive during a week that they need a staff division, they will not be looking for anyone with music background, they will be looking more for persons with a athletic body type and tall. Then they will ask if they have a high ASVAB score, if they can swim, and what their prospective rate will be.

If they become desperate for people toward the end of the night, they may ask if anyone has marching experience. Again, this is just what they would be looking for out of a staff division. Other 900 types require different persons to fill the jobs that that specific division requires. I hope this response helps. Please feel free to ask me further questions about 900 divs.

Hey brother div! That's what's up. 944 here.

I know it is mostly luck, but I kinda want to be in a 900 division. I arrive at RTC 20140217 at night I am sure. What should I look for and what should I do to make myself stand out to be chosed. I use to play the Baritone (small Tuba) in school but haven't in years. I know how to march and hold flags and such. I am also 29 years old going in as E3 HM. Please, any advice would be helpful to lead me to the potential or best shot of getting into a 900 division.

Can I ask why you want to be in a 900 division so badly? Just by being in that performance division will not help you later in fleet. Once out of boot, everything you did there wont amount to a hill of beans.

not particular reason, wont be bummed if I don't get into it. I have always be a performance person so it is just something I am interested. I know it wont help me in the fleet later, and nothing really at boot will. Just a desire of mine.

I was in marching band colorguard in high school and flipped the rifles around. When they say "guard experience" would this qualify? I'd like to do this, but don't want to say I have guard experience and it not be the right thing and then they get mad at me for it!!

I've seen a few PIR's online and the do have people that flip/ throw the rifles around.

I hope this helps.

Thanks for the reply! That's helpful information. From what I gather there's no real incentive to participate in 900 division, other than saying you were in it. Is that accurate?

Very true, once you leave boot..no one cares what division you were in at boot! Plus being in a 900 division will not give you any extra perks later either.

Yeah, especially if you're not that athletic, you don't want to join a 900 div. When I was in RCU I noticed that there were 3~5x as many broken people from state flags divisions as from normal ones. I was told it was because during rehearsals they had to run the whole time they were on the drill floor in their boots. And the boots are pretty heavy, and did a number on their legs. I don't know if that holds true on the male side, but that was my experience.

Once you get into the fleet, no body cares what you did in bootcamp. With that being said, I do think there are benefits to being in a 900, if for no other reason than it adds variety to your bootcamp experience. Going to rehearsals on Saturday mornings were pretty much the highlight of my bootcamp experience. I also enjoyed performing for the PIRs prior to my own, and I'm also glad I didn't have to stand for the entire grad in the 'cattle call' (with all the graduating divisions). You also have one less marching inspection.

The downside of being in a 900 is that I was in a push division and had a very, very busy/compact schedule. But then again, being so busy made the days go by quicker.