Staff Sgt. James Richmond, a graduate of the Army Band's On The Job Training Program is a skilled professional. His principal tools are his Euphonium, a mellow toned, higher pitched member of the tuba family, and his M-16.

He performs at professional football games, as well as other exciting venues, and is the band's human resources administrator. In addition to his responsibilities with the band, he maintains his proficiency as a Soldier.

Richmond is multi-faceted; he is a family man with a wife and four children, a Soldier, musician, and administrator. The OJT program encourages its participants, subsequent to its Advanced Individual Training music training, to work on enhancing their education.

Richmond is attending Cochise College and will receive his associate degree this month. He plans to continue his education while in the Army and work on earning his bachelor's degree.

The Army Band's OJT training program seeks talented musicians who may not have had formal music training. This was the impetus which provided Richmond, a Soldier with the 36th Army Band, the opportunity to enrich his Army life by playing music as a professional.

Prior to Richmond's service with the Army Band, he was attending basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., and was slated to attend Military Intelligence Advanced Individual Training. A delay in the paperwork upon graduation from basic training left him the time to work out at a local gym where, by happenstance, he met a trombonist, a retired sergeant first class who introduced him to the 399th Army Band on post.

"Most musicians would not know there was an opportunity to serve their country in a musical capacity," said Richmond. Playing the Euphonium in high school was a positive experience that encouraged Richmond to perform, so he auditioned for the Army Band's OJT program and was accepted.

After one month in the program, he was shipped to the Joint Service School of Music at Little Creek Amphibious Base in Virginia Beach, Va. When his music study was completed at this AIT school, he was assigned to the Fort Lee Army Band, Va.

The 36th Army Band here is an organization that has OJT opportunities and encourages Soldiers to audition.

"We have opportunities in the band for woodwinds (flute, clarinet), piano and vocalists for our rock band ensemble," said Chief Warrant Officer 2 Donna Clickner, band director. "It's on the job training, so if they are a fine country singer we'll take (them) and try to expand on (their) talent."

Richmond indicated the origin of the program relates to the Army's dual desire to augment Army Band staffing, and to accommodate Soldiers with a background in music who may want to contribute professionally by performing with the band.

Richmond's day begins with his unit, as would any Soldier, at 6:30 a.m. for one hour of physical training, followed by accountability formation at Army Band Headquarters.

Upon returning to his office he fulfills his duties as the band's human resources administrator. When his paperwork obligations are complete, he picks up his horn, then music rehearsal commences and continues throughout the morning until lunch.

In the afternoon he resumes his HR duties, as well as traditional Soldier training.

"There are many opportunities for travel, advancement, and to have a sense of personal fulfillment for a professional musician," Richmond stated.

The band participated in "Military Appreciation Day" at an Arizona Cardinals NFL game, Nov.14. There were three performance venues. The brass band ensemble provided entertainment for fans as they entered the stadium. Next, Richmond and the band played at the "Flag Pageant" prior to the game where a football sized flag was unfurled.

Finally, they concluded with the halftime show as the marching band played all the service branch songs to honor their respective members.

"Joining the Army, and subsequently the band, has been one of the most rewarding decisions I've made for myself and my family," said Richmond.

If a Soldier is interested in applying for the OJT program, and fulfilling a musical dream, permission is required from the chain of command to audition with the band. Interested individuals should then contact Clickner, 520-533-8817, for the program's requirements and details.