| 100th Army Band | |
|---|---|
 Tabard | |
| Active | 1943-46; 1956 - present |
| Country | United States |
| Branch |  United States Army Reserve |
| Type | Army Band |
| Part of | 81st Readiness Division |
| Garrison/HQ | Fort Knox |
| Nickname(s) | Band of the Century |
| Motto(s) | Wildcats Never Quit |
| March | The Wildcat March |
| Engagements | Rhineland; Ardennes-Alsace; Central Europe |
| Commanders | |
| Current commander | CW3 Chad Alward |
| First Sergeant | 1SG Curtis Moss |
| Notable commanders | 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.[1] 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.
Current officers and senior NCOs of the 100th Army Band include:[2]
| Commanding Officer | Chief Warrant Officer 3 Chad Alward |
| Executive Officer | Chief Warrant Officer 2 Brooke Woods |
| First Sergeant | First Sergeant Curtis Moss |
| Human Resources NCOIC | Sergeant First Class Kelly Mitchell |
| Training NCOIC | Sergeant First Class Douglas Wurtele |
| Operations NCOIC | Staff Sergeant Chris Currens |
| Logistics NCOIC | Staff Sergeant Courtney Drown |
| Public Affairs NCOIC | Sergeant Christopher Van Dyke |
| Unit Administrator | Vacant |
The 100th Army Band currently employs eight MPTs, including:[3]
| Ensemble | OIC/NCOIC |
|---|---|
| Concert Band | CW3 Chad Alward |
| Ceremonial Band | SSG Jeffery Parks |
| "Hard Knox" Rock Band | SSG Lee Clements |
| Brass Quintet | SSG Jonathan Staples |
| Marching Band | SFC Billy Eff, Drum Major |
| Jazz Band | SPC Brandon McKinley |
| Jazz Combo | SGT Chris Abell |
| Woodwind Quintet | SSG Rachel Carman |
Army bands are most commonly requested for performances which fall 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.[4]
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:
Decorations
| Ribbon | Award | Date | Streamer embroidered | Order No. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Meritorious Unit Commendation (Army) | EUROPEAN THEATER |
Campaign participation credit
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.[10] 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."[11]
The Colonel Finley R. Hamilton Outstanding Musician Award[13] 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.[14] To date, four members of the 100th Army Band have received the COL Hamilton Award:
The 100th Army Band has its own collection of heraldric devices,[19] 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.
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