Performing on stage is a thrilling experience for members of the 133d Army National Guard Band. But performing on stage in uniform is a different kind of thrill.
The six rock musicians of the band did just that during the inaugural All-American Jubilee at Wilkowski Park in Rainier on Sunday, June 30. The 40-member group of musicians is broken into ensembles that include the rock band, a concert band, a brass band, a traditional jazz band and a brass quintet.
The rock contingent, nicknamed Full Metal Racket, performed classic and modern rock songs for an hour in front of attendees. Six musicians make up the band: Sgt. Marcus Jaffe on percussion, Sgt. Tricia Scheer on vocals, Staff Sgt. Joseph Castilleja on guitar and vocals, Specialist Joseph Ballestrasse on bass, Specialist Matthew Abshire on guitar and Sgt. Glenn DeVage on guitar. Full Metal Racket members are stationed at Camp Murray in Tacoma.
“It’s deeper than an honor to perform while wearing the uniform. There isn’t another job in the military, unless you’re in public affairs or public relations, where you have a stage and a microphone,” Scheer said. “You’re up here representing the whole of the National Guard because you’re the face of them. We always hope we’re doing them honor and representing our soldiers well.”
The overall 133d Army National Guard Band serves one weekend each month and two weeks a year in the summer, performing an average of 90 musical mission performances each year. The rock band has performed at sporting events, festivals, community events and even recently performed in Canada. Scheer has sung the national anthem at Seattle Mariners, Seattle Kraken and Seattle Sea Dragons games.
According to the band’s commanding officer and Warrant Officer 1 Matthew Wenman, the Army National Guard has had a rock band for about a decade, but the 133d band dates back to the late 19th century, when it was formed and designated as the First Regiment National Guard Band for celebrations leading up to Washington’s transition to statehood.
“Our goal is to serve the entire state of Washington through music. We serve troops, but we also serve communities because we’re National Guard so we’re citizen soldiers,” Wenman said. “These people all have jobs in Washington state that are full-time jobs outside of the military, and then for their part-time job in the military, this is what they do to serve.”
Jaffe, who has 20 years of military service and 11 years with the band, joined the band after serving a tour in Iraq in 2005. He spent the first 10 years as the percussionist before transitioning to being a medical officer for five years through the COVID-19 pandemic. He reduced his rank to return to the band nine months ago.
“As I get older, I’m very intentional about where I choose to be. I’ve just hit my 20-year mark, so I could retire. I’m very intentional with my desire to continue serving,” Jaffe said. “It’s very much an honor, and I hope to do it for many years to come.”
Scheer joined the military in February of 2009 after being laid off from her job as a financial advisor during the recession. She grew up singing in church, but going through required education at the U.S. Army School of Music, she learned about stage presence and how to capture the audience’s attention, as well as vocal techniques.
After working for six years as a combat medic, she volunteered to sing with her unit during a fallen soldier’s memorial service and was recruited to join the band as a vocalist.
“Singing wasn’t part of the gig [at the memorial], but I volunteered to do it because he meant a lot to me. The bugler told me about the band and that they needed a vocalist, and I thought, ‘No way. I’m just a singer. What can I do in the band?’ ” Scheer said. “He said to just try it out. I brought a few songs and tried it out with them, and it was love at first sight and I never left.”
Jaffe described the Full Metal Racket as a “band of brothers,” and Scheer added that the band is like a family.
“There’s something about serving together, especially over the last 20 years, that binds you to someone. Serving a purpose that is a little bigger than yourself is something that I’ve enjoyed immensely,” Jaffe said.
Scheer and Jaffe hope to build up the next generation of younger soldiers and develop as leaders in the military, whether it be in the band sphere or everyday life.
“It’s a really unique platform. I never forget that. This is such a huge honor and such a rare opportunity,” Scheer said. “It has really meant a lot to me. I’ve got four years left until retirement, so now’s a really good time to build up the next generation of soldiers and train them in how to have confidence in themselves and how to have grace for each other. I think there’s no better organization in the world to develop yourself as a leader than the military.”
The band will entertain the Lacey community at Lacey in Tune, July 10, at Huntamer Park.
To learn more about the band and its upcoming performances, visit https://www.facebook.com/133dArmyBand/.
