What Division?

[Debo15]

I've heard of the different divisions for certain jobs. Like a division for the band, one for specialty jobs, and idk what or how many other divisions. My job is Aircrew, so my question is what division will I be placed in?

[Haasino]

From what I understand, there's the 900 Division, which does more drill, the 800 Division, which does more PT, and all the other regular divisions.

AIRR (Aviation Rescue Swimmer) go into the 800 Division with the other SPECWAR recruits. And if you're regular AIRC then you still have the possibility of being put into an 800 Division from what I've been told. Dunno how common that is though...

[prop827]

800's are for SEAL, SWCC, EOD, and AIRR; 900's are a mixed bag from all rates that are hand selected to be the best of the group of incoming recruits aside from 800 divisions. 900's encompass Triple Threat which does singing, band, and color guard (spinning rifles), State Flags which carry the flags of every state at graduation as well as provide the marching on and off of the colors and the guards that escort the colors, and Staff divisions are focused on marching and rendering military honors as well as providing the drill inspection team for graduation. Triple Threat is chosen for musical abilities only; State Flags and Staff are selected for military bearing, intelligence, military appearance, and ability to pass exams, PFA's, Swim Qual, etc. 900's are a lot more work and regularly outperform all other divisions in all areas (except physical fitness when there's an 800 division in the grad group). 800's are also a lot of physical work, but those aren't hand selected, those are based on rate. All other "regular" ("rifleland") divisions are just a mixed bag of recruits and that's about it.

[Taylor1991]

Does anyone know if I should try and get into the 900 divisions?? I've been in band since 5th grade so I'm musically inclined, but I just didn't know if it was worth it to be in that division

[warehimer33]

I have the same problem^. I've been in band since 6th grade and am kinda wanting to do the 900 division because I know how band kids are. I'm just curious to see if the 900 division is like band is in high school as far as the relationships with other musicians and the director is. I'm curious to know if the RDCs are nicer and more lenient with little things because I've heard nothing but that the RDCs of 900 divisions are really strict and expect "perfection". What do you play?

[thebrassranger]

The consensus is that 900 is more work and the RDCs expect perfection and you have less time to practice for inspections because you're practicing drill. If you wanna lay low and just make it through do 800s, if you want to push yourself, learn your limits, try to excel and give boot camp the what for, 900s might be for you if you're picked. However, no one is going to care if you were RCPO or in the 900s when you get to A school and then PCS. It's all internal.

http://www.navydep.com/forums/showthread.php?t=2697&highlight=division

check this thread for more info.

[llamayamaa]

I'm curious- who rehearses the 900 division? I would assume (hope) it's someone that has musical experience...?

[thebrassranger]

I'm not entirely sure but I think I remember hearing that it is a civilian music instructor who leads the bands. As for the drill and flags I would assume it would be a NCO with great military bearing and experience. Part of the military is looking and sounding good while doing something. Having someone who is not musically trained, or proficient at teaching, does not help the Navy achieve this goal at parades and PIR. I, however, have no factual evidence to back-up these conclusions. When my dad was in the Air Force when dinosaurs roamed the earth :) he had musician instruct them for band.

[prop827]

Triple Threat: Band, Drum Line, and Chorus are all instructed by civilian instructors (reading music is usually mandatory btw); Color Guard (Rifle Spinning) is instructed by an RDC who is assigned solely to the Drill Hall.

State Flags and Staff: Instructed by RDC's assigned solely to the Drill Hall for performance and receive additional instruction on Military Drill and Marching from their own divisional RDCs

[sweetmtn]

Here are a couple of videos of different PIR's, the first one is the Rifle Drill team...remember, each PIR tries to out do the next...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9jpw-J3D5k

This next one is kind o f long, but shows the band and chior too.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0cGbD-9Aivs

Her is one with the drumline..wish I could find my sons, it was much better!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LBUWMfzE2sU

Here is what the Flags group does for PIR
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=24_hZw_hnHs
here is a second State Flags video...so takes me back, as I remember I cried because I couldnt find my son and his dang Nevada State flag! The way they hold them you cant alwasy see which dang state it is!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tnx4yLIgtfU

Here is my son's PIR Flags pic with him holding his flag out:
http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t102/sweetmtn/JustinPIRflag1.jpg

[camfurr]

So are Divers not part of the 800 div?