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100th Army Band
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April 2025
100th Army Band 100th Army Band tabard.jpeg 220px Tabard 1943-46; 1956 - present United States 20px United States Army Reserve Army Band 81st Readiness Division CW4 Chad Alward 1SG Jordan Lynch First Sergeant Fort Knox Band of the Century Wildcats Never Quit The Wildcat March Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe CW5 Lawrence Barton, Chief FORSCOM USAR Staff Bands Officer 2009 - 2017
The 100th Army Band, popularly known as the Band of the Century, is a United States Army Reserve unit stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky, and a unit of the 81st Readiness Division. It was reassigned from the 100th Infantry Division on 1 October 2008 as part of the Army Reserve Transformation process.http://www.armyreserve.org/Army_Transformation.html Six Imperatives of Army Reserve Transformation Army Reserve Association 2015-07-15 2015-05-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20150507061835/http://www.armyreserve.org/Army_Transformation.html dead The 100th Army Band currently features eight musical performance teams (MPTs) that perform a wide range of repertoire. Since 2012, performance requests have taken the band's various ensembles across Kentucky and across the nation into other states including Tennessee, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Maryland, Florida, South Carolina, Kansas, Alabama, Georgia, Texas, Virginia, and Hawaii.
The 100th Army Band typically trains for one weekend each month and embarks on a two / three week annual training every summer.
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Leadership
Current officers and senior NCOs of the 100th Army Band include:http://www.music.army.mil/organizations/pages/default.asp?unit=100AB&p=leaders 100th Army Band, Leaders 2015-07-15 2015-07-16 https://web.archive.org/web/20150716080801/http://www.music.army.mil/organizations/pages/default.asp?unit=100AB&p=leaders dead
Commanding Officer Chief Warrant Officer 4 Chad Alward Executive Officer Chief Warrant Officer 2 Brooke Woods First Sergeant 1SG Jordan Lynch Human Resources NCOIC SFC Bryan Brown Training NCOIC SFC Jonathan Staples Operations NCOIC SFC Meredith Melvin Logistics NCOIC SFC Shane Mitchell Public Affairs NCOIC SGT Kevin Kortz Army Reserve Administrator Mrs. Kelly Mitchell and Mr. Eric Stroupe II AGR SFC Christopher Currens
Musical performance teams
The 100th Army Band currently employs eight MPTs, including:100th Army Band https://www.facebook.com/100thArmyBand/info?tab=page_info Facebookyes March 2022
Ensemble OIC/NCOIC Concert Band CW4 Chad Alward Ceremonial Band SSG Jeffery Parks "Hard Knox" Rock Band SSG Lee Clements Brass Quintet SFC Jonathan Staples Marching Band MSG Billy Eff, Drum Major Jazz Band SPC Brandon McKinley Jazz Combo SGT Chris Abell Woodwind Quintet SSG Rachel Carman
Performances
Army bands are most commonly requested for performances falling into three categories: public outreach, soldier & family support, and educational outreach. Public outreach performances include events such as community concerts and parades. Soldier & family support performances include military events such as change of command ceremonies, promotion ceremonies, retirement ceremonies, & dining out ceremonies. Educational outreach performances normally include musical or recruiting visits to schools, colleges, & job fairs.
Trumpet players from military bands are also regularly tasked with sounding the Taps bugle call at funerals and memorial services for service members of the United States Armed Forces, and for memorial ceremonies across the country.http://www.music.army.mil/organizations/pages/default.asp?unit=100AB&p=news&NewsID=1213 US Army Reserve musician honors final request of WWII veteran Travis Jason 2015-07-15 2015-07-16 https://web.archive.org/web/20150716072347/http://www.music.army.mil/organizations/pages/default.asp?unit=100AB&p=news&NewsID=1213 dead
Annual training
As an Army Reserve Band, the 100th typically spends two weeks each summer backfilling an active duty (Regular Army) band, while those soldiers enjoy a two-week block leave. Since 2009, The 100th Army Band has supported bands and missions at the following locations:
2009 - Fort Benning, GA (Maneuver Center of Excellence Band / backfill)
2010 - Fort Riley, KS (1st Infantry Division Band / backfill)
2011 - Fort Jackson, SC (282nd Army Band / backfill)
2012 - Schofield Barracks, HI (25th Infantry Division Band / backfill)
2013 - Fort Knox, KY (113th Army Band / backfill)
2014 - Fort Eustis, VA (TRADOC Band / backfill)
2015 - Fort McCoy, WI (WAREX)
2016 - Fort Knox, KY (Cadet Command support)
2017 - Fort Bliss, TX (1st Armored Division Band / backfill)
2018 - Fort Knox, KY (Cadet Command support)
2019 - Fort Bliss, TX (1st Armored Division Band / backfill)
2021 - Fort Bliss, TX (1st Armored Division Band / backfill)
2023 - Schofield Barracks, HI (25th Infantry Division Band / backfill)
2024 - Normandy, France (D-Day 80th Anniversary)
2025 - Multi State Tour (Kentucky, Tennessee, and North Carolina)
2026 - Fort Eustis, VA (COMREL and Military Support of the Nation's 250th Birthday)
Notable performances
The 100th Army Band performed in the Normandy area of France at over 20 missions in support of the U.S. Army's 80th Anniversary of D-Day.
The 100th's Marching Band regularly performs for the "First Fourth of July Parade" in Gatlinburg, Tennessee. The parade is so named due to its annual start time: 12:01am on the morning of July 4.http://www.kyforward.com/our-food-and-fun/2012/06/100th-army-band-from-fort-knox-will-lead-gatlinburg-fourth-of-july-midnight-parade/ 100th Army Band from Fort Knox will lead Gatlinburg Fourth of July Midnight Parade KyForward 2012-06-25 Gatlinburg Department of Tourism 2015-07-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20150716022133/http://www.kyforward.com/our-food-and-fun/2012/06/100th-army-band-from-fort-knox-will-lead-gatlinburg-fourth-of-july-midnight-parade/ 2015-07-16 dead
The 100th Army Band has performed the National Anthem and Kentucky State Song, "My Old Kentucky Home," for the opening session of the Kentucky State Senate for several years.http://www.music.army.mil/organizations/pages/default.asp?unit=100AB&p=news&NewsID=1051 100th Army Band kicks off 2013 at KY State Capitol Garnett Benjamin 2015-07-15 2015-07-16 https://web.archive.org/web/20150716110602/http://www.music.army.mil/organizations/pages/default.asp?unit=100AB&p=news&NewsID=1051 dead
2015 annual training, Fort McCoy WI. The 100th Army Band executed 21 performance missions in a nine-day period.
Bands of America Grand National Championships, November 2014 Bands of America Grand National Championships https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.817024521670082.1073741834.118178481554693&type=3 Facebook 2014-11-16yes March 2022
2012 annual training, Schofield Barracks, HI. The 100th Army Band executed 20 performance missions in a 13-day period.
Cincinnati Reds baseball game, June 2012 https://www.dvidshub.net/news/90313/100th-army-band-plays-cincinnati-reds-game-flag-day#.VaavlmDibNA 100th Army Band plays at Cincinnati Reds game on Flag Day
Lineage and honors
Lineage
Constituted 2 August 1943 in the Army of the United States as the Band, 100th Infantry Division
Activated 14 August 1943 at Fort Jackson, South Carolina
Reorganized and redesignated 1 December 1943 as the 100th Infantry Division Band
Inactivated 15 January 1946 at Camp Patrick Hentry, Virginia
(Organized Reserves redesignated 25 March 1948 as the Organized Reserve Corps; redesignated 9 July 1952 as the Army Reserve)
Redesignated 12 May 1952 as the 100th Infantry Division Band
Activated 1 August 1956 at Fort Thomas, Kentucky
Reorganized and redesigned 17 April 1959 as the 100th Division Band
Ordered into active military service 25 September 1961 at Fort Thomas, Kentucky; released from active military service 15 August 1962 and reverted to reserve status
Consolidated 26 January 1968 with the Support Company, 100th Division (Training) and consolidated unit reorganized and redesignated as the Support Company and Band, 100th Division (Training)
Reorganized and redesignated 1 October 1970 as Headquarters, Headquarters Company and Band, 100th Support Battalion, an element of the 100th Division (Training)
Reorganized and redesignated 5 July 1971 as Headquarters, Headquarters Detachment and Band, 100th Support Battalion
(Location of Band element changed in 1979 to Hebron, Kentucky)
Band element withdrawn 16 November 1982 from Headquarters, Headquarters Detachment and Band, 100th Support Battalion and redesigned as the 100th Army Band, an element of the 100th Division (Training), and location concurrently changed to Louisville, Kentucky (Headquarters and Headquarters Detachment, 100th Support Battalion—hereafter separate lineage)
Reorganized and redesignated 17 September 1983 as the Band element of Headquarters Company, 100th Division (Training)
Band element withdrawn 16 September 1988 from Headquarters Company, 100th Division (Training); concurrently reorganized and redesigned as the 100th Division Band.
Location changed in 1990 to Fort Knox, Kentucky
Relieved 1 October 2008 from assignment to the 100th Division (Training)
Reorganized and redesignated 16 October 2008 as the 100th Army Bandhttp://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/lineages/branches/ag/band-100ar.htm Center of Military History Lineage and Honors, 100th Army Band 2011-02-18 2015-07-15 2015-07-16 https://web.archive.org/web/20150716080437/http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/lineages/branches/ag/band-100ar.htm dead
Awards
Decorations
Ribbon Award Date Streamer embroidered Order No.50px|alt=ribbonMeritorious Unit Commendation (Army)EUROPEAN THEATER
Army Safety Excellence Streamer
Campaign participation credit
World War II: Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe
Individual awards
Sergeant Audie Murphy Club
The Sergeant Audie Murphy Club is an organization exclusive to the U.S. Army, with membership available only to U.S. Army non-commissioned officers.http://www.audiemurphy.com/samc.htm Sergeant Audie Murphy Club According to FORSCOM regulations, all members of the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club must "...exemplify leadership characterized by personal concern for the needs, training, development, and welfare of Soldiers and concern for families of Soldiers."FORSCOM Sergeant Audie Murphy Award FORSCOM Regulation 600-80 http://www.hood.army.mil/leaders/csm/FORSCOM-SAMA-Reg600-80.pdf https://web.archive.org/web/20181015222249/http://www.hood.army.mil/leaders/csm/FORSCOM-SAMA-Reg600-80.pdf 2018-10-15 dead 2022-05-22 2007-03-01
In November 2011, 100th Army Band member Staff Sergeant Tyler Myers was inducted into the Sergeant Audie Murphy Club.http://www.music.army.mil/organizations/pages/default.asp?unit=100AB&p=news&NewsID=915 USAR musician receives SAMC honor Benjamin Garnett 2015-07-15 2015-07-16 https://web.archive.org/web/20150716084848/http://www.music.army.mil/organizations/pages/default.asp?unit=100AB&p=news&NewsID=915 dead
Colonel Hamilton Award
The Colonel Finley R. Hamilton Outstanding Musician Awardhttp://www.music.army.mil/hamiltonaward/ Colonel Finley R. Hamilton Outstanding Military Musician Award, The Award 2015-07-15 2015-07-19 https://web.archive.org/web/20150719073059/http://www.music.army.mil/hamiltonaward/ dead was first awarded in 2010 to musicians from all five branches of United States military service. A service member who is eligible for consideration for this award will be an "outstanding musician demonstrating excellence in both solo and ensemble performance" who must also "display exceptional leadership qualities," and "great potential for future outstanding service." Consideration for this award is limited to members of military bands who hold the pay grades of E4 to E6 only.http://www.music.army.mil/hamiltonaward/?i=eligibility Colonel Finley R. Hamilton Outstanding Military Musician Award, Eligibility Criteria 2015-07-15 2015-07-17 https://web.archive.org/web/20150717131351/http://www.music.army.mil/hamiltonaward/?i=eligibility dead
To date, five members of the 100th Army Band have received the COL Hamilton Award:
Sergeant Rachel Carman, 2020
Sergeant Brooke Woods, 2016http://www.music.army.mil/hamiltonaward/Default.asp?i=recipients&y=2016 Colonel Finley R. Hamilton Outstanding Military Musician Award, 2016 Award Recipients 2017-02-02 2017-02-03 https://web.archive.org/web/20170203081519/http://www.music.army.mil/hamiltonaward/Default.asp?i=recipients&y=2016 dead
Sergeant Benjamin Garnett, 2012http://www.music.army.mil/hamiltonaward/Default.asp?i=recipients&y=2012 Colonel Finley R. Hamilton Outstanding Military Musician Award, 2012 Award Recipients 2015-07-15 2015-07-16 https://web.archive.org/web/20150716095911/http://www.music.army.mil/hamiltonaward/Default.asp?i=recipients&y=2012 dead
Staff Sergeant Billy Eff, 2011http://www.music.army.mil/organizations/pages/default.asp?unit=100AB&p=news&NewsID=964 Reserve Musician receives COL Hamilton Award Garnett Benjamin 2015-07-15 2015-07-16 https://web.archive.org/web/20150716072622/http://www.music.army.mil/organizations/pages/default.asp?unit=100AB&p=news&NewsID=964 dead
Staff Sergeant Chad Alward, 2010http://www.music.army.mil/organizations/pages/default.asp?unit=100AB&p=news&NewsID=784 Army Reserve bandsman named one of the 2010 top military musicians Bell Mark 2015-07-15 2015-07-16 https://web.archive.org/web/20150716093446/http://www.music.army.mil/organizations/pages/default.asp?unit=100AB&p=news&NewsID=784 dead
Heraldric devices
The 100th Army Band has its own collection of heraldric devices,http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Catalog/HeraldryList.aspx?CategoryId=5870&grp=2&menu=Uniformed%20Services&hilite=100th%20army%20band 100th Army Band The Institute of Heraldry 2015-07-15 https://web.archive.org/web/20150716060211/http://www.tioh.hqda.pentagon.mil/Catalog/HeraldryList.aspx?CategoryId=5870&grp=2&menu=Uniformed%20Services&hilite=100th%20army%20band 2015-07-16 dead including a baldric, mace, tabard, drum design and unit tab for wear on the uniform.
The regalia designs are based upon elements of the 81st Readiness Division's shoulder sleeve insignia and distinctive unit insignia. A scroll on both baldric and drumshell reads "TRAIN MAINTAIN SUSTAIN" and is the command's motto. A second scroll on the drumshell reads "WILDCATS NEVER QUIT!" and is the command's slogan. The scrolls are pinned down by the Philippine sun and fleur-de-lis which commemorate the unit's campaign awards. The mace is decorated with goldenrods, the state flower of Kentucky, which reach full bloom late summer in and around Fort Knox, where the 100th Army Band trains. The base reads "WARRIOR MUSICIAN," while "100TH ARMY BAND" goes completely around the head.
thumb|100th Army Band Drum Major's baldric thumb|100th Army Band Drum Major's macethumb|100th Army Band herald trumpet's tabard thumb|100th Army Band snare drum design thumb|100th Army Band unit tab
Trivia
There are three U.S. Army Bands currently stationed in Kentucky: The 100th Army Band (Reserve, Fort Knox), the 202nd Army Band (National Guard, Frankfort), and the 101st Airborne Division Band (Regular Army, Fort Campbell).
Out of 17 total Army Reserve bands, the 100th Army Band, the 78th Army Band, and the 313th Army Band are the only USAR bands stationed on active duty Army posts. The 100th is stationed at Fort Knox KY, the 78th is stationed at Fort Dix, NJ, and the 313th is stationed at Redstone Arsenal, AL.
The 113th Army Band (active duty) was also stationed at Fort Knox until its inactivation on 1 OCT 2016.Francis Catrina 113th Army Band, Army's second oldest, prepares for Oct. 1 inactivation http://www.fkgoldstandard.com/content/113th-army-band-army’s-second-oldest-prepares-oct-1-inactivation The Gold Standard 2016-01-07 https://web.archive.org/web/20161221065328/http://www.fkgoldstandard.com/content/113th-army-band-army%E2%80%99s-second-oldest-prepares-oct-1-inactivation 2016-12-21
See also
United States Army School of Music
United States military music customs
United States military bands
Military band
External links
United States Army Reserve
Bands of the United States Army Reserve https://web.archive.org/web/20150718125008/http://www.music.army.mil/organizations/armyreserve/ 2015-07-18
100th Army Band official Facebook page
100th Army Band official Twitter page
References
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Category:Musical groups established in 1943