DAYTONA BEACH, Fla. -- Following the Army ‘As You Were (AYW) Band’s performance at Daytona Beach, Florida’s Welcome to Rockville concert event which took place May 9-12, 2024, lead singer Brittany Simmons listened to the applause and walked off the stage pumped from the band’s set.

“People were enjoying themselves,” Simmons said. “It was a really cool experience.”

Members of the "As You Were" Band pose for photos with fans at the Welcome to Rockville concert event which took place May 9-12, 2024, in Daytona Beach, Florida.

The show was a debut for Simmons who is currently moving to Fort Knox, Kentucky from Fort Sill, Oklahoma.

After performing, the AYW Soldiers moved to an Army exhibit to meet and take photos with fans. Simmons shared her Army experience with concert goers.

“People don’t think about all the Army offers,” Simmons said. “My dad served in the Army for 32 years. Joining the Army felt right. It’s a legacy.”

Welcome to Rockville is a part of a series of concerts that also includes events such as Louder than Life and Bourbon and Beyond which both regularly occur in Louisville, Kentucky, Staff Sgt. Abiud Flores, the band’s bass player, explained.

“Other than the music, meeting people is one of the most exciting parts of the job,” Flores said. “You get the chance to talk with them direct and open their minds to the many opportunities in the Army.”

AYW’s performance supports local recruiters, who use such venues to gather information on potential prospects.

Pfc. Alyssa Richardson, a hometown recruiter from Daytona who helped staff the Army exhibit attended the event two years ago when she wasn’t yet enlisted in the Army.

“It’s my first event,” Richardson said. “I expect a lot of energy from the crowd, [and I’m] trying to do my best to represent the Army. This helps us get out there and meet new people.”

Concert goer John Cason, who scouted out the Army tent, is planning to re-join the Army after a break in service. He listed financial incentives as a key reason he was returning to the Army’s ranks.

“The benefits have never been better,” Cason said. “The retirement plan and 401K packages just make it more attractive. Right now, I’m paying over $200 per month for medical insurance, and you have to pay a deductible.”