By the way, this photo is used at the Army Sergeant's Major Academy as an example of BAD SAFETY PRACTICES!
The story is here: Trading a Guitar for a Gun.
Or here:
Seven years ago, then 18-year-old Nicholas Raia of Altoona,
Pa., brought his trumpet to an audition for the Pennsylvania Army National
Guard band. He aced the audition and until last summer was member of several
performance groups within the band. Over those seven years he performed more
and more with the band and ensembles playing the guitar for recruiting events
and celebrations. For more formal military ceremonies he now plays the
baritone—a small tuba.
After seven years in the band, Raia, now a sergeant, decided
to take a year away from performing and volunteer for a combat tour. Since
mobilization in January, Raia has served as a door gunner on a CH-47 Chinook
helicopter with Company B, 2nd Battalion, 104th Aviation Regiment.
“I felt that after 7 years in the Guard, it was my turn to
do my part overseas,” said Raia.
To get ready for the transition from full-time student and
weekend band member, Raia volunteered for additional training in weapons. In
June 2008, Raia attended the Small Arms Master Gunner course at Fort Indiantown
Gap, Pa. To prepare for hand-to-hand combat he completed the week-long Level
One Combatives Course in July. At the end of September, he was one of 10
Soldiers in the first class trained in the new Live-Fire Shoot House also at Fort
Indiantown Gap.
His transition from band member and college student to door
gunner had difficulties training could not help.
“It was a decision that I struggled with for a while,” Raia
said. “It’s one thing to tell your loved ones you are being ordered to leave
and a totally different animal entirely when you are trying to explain to them
that you are voluntarily leaving.”
Over the years he was in the band, Raia came to believe he
should deploy with a combat unit.
“Our job (in the band) is unique in that we are in the
public eye often, and we often get thanked for our service by people in our
audiences,” Raia said. “I would find myself conflicted, because while it is
true that we, as a unit, were serving our country in the way in which we were
meant to serve, I also felt as if I should be doing more.”
Raia had several friends in the Guard who deployed overseas
at least once in their careers. He said he felt those were the Soldiers who
truly deserved to be thanked.
“I felt that after seven years in the guard, it was my turn
to do my part overseas,” he said.
His final decision to deploy was met with mixed emotions.
“My unit could not have been more supportive of my
decision,” Raia recalled. “They helped me get everything on the military side
of the house in order prior to my deployment and have made it a point to ensure
it would not affect me negatively upon my return.”
His friends, on the other hand, were confused by Raia’s
decision.
“Many of my friends are not in the military and I think that
makes a big difference,” he said. “People in the military think a little
differently than those who are not and most of the Soldiers in the military
today could probably easily understand the feeling of responsibility that
compelled me to deploy.”
“My family worried about me and they were not real thrilled
that I would volunteer to leave them for a year to go to a combat zone. Raia
continued. “My family has been super supportive of my decision. Any previous
uncertainty or worries has given way to pride in what I am doing.”
Before deployment, Raia completed all the requirements for a
bachelor’s degree at Penn State with a double major in Criminal Justice and
Psychology. He plans to bring together all of his training, experience and
education by becoming a police officer after deployment—except on National
Guard weekends when he will be back on stage or in formation at ceremonies in
the 28th Infantry Division Band
