By David N. Young
While there were multiple “change of command” ceremonies at the Joint Forces Training Base on Saturday, most of them had to use pre-recorded music because the 40th Infantry Division band had a change of command ceremony of its own.
When Gavin Newsom takes the oath of office as Governor in January, the band playing for the ceremony will be the Los Alamitos’ based 40th ID concert ensemble, one of many ways these National Guardsmen support their military mission.
“We are soldiers first,” reminds Chief Warrant Officer 2 Chris Fossmo, who was sworn in as the new “commander” of the band. Fossmo replaces retiring commander Eric Suganuma, who “aged out” at 60.
Few people know the proud of history of the Los Al based 40th ID band, but it is a large part of the Army music mission that goes back to the fifes and drums of the Revolutionary War.
Suganuma thanked his unit for their support through the years and said it was an honor for him to have served as commander of the unit.
“I am very proud to continue a tradition,” said Fossmo, who will now head about 40 local musicians who serve in the Guard and are assigned to the unit. Earlier this year, the 40th ID participated in a number of events, including the sacred burial of the remains of a Civil War Medal of Honor veteran in San Diego and other community relations events such as local parades.
In civilian life, Fossmo is an educator in Lakeside High School in Lake Elsinor. He is a saxophone player by trade, but now must shape the existing musician soldiers into the various ensembles. The unit has a concert band, a jazz band and even a rock band (DD214 Experience) and
are called upon to play at changes of command ceremonies, senior officer events, public outreach events, special occasions and military funerals.
Fossmo hopes to reach out to local teenagers and adult musicians and explain to the many advantages of service to them. Of course, all recruits must undergo basic training and learn a military skill, because musicians are soldiers first, he said musicians will also be given the Army Music Proficiency Assessment test and then be potentially be assigned to the unit.
“It is great for college music majors,” said Fossmo, because once in the Guard, recruits will have access to a monthly stipend of about $1000 per month and access to the benefits of the Montgomery G.I. Bill, which can assist in paying for educational expenses.
Anyone interested in serving in the 40th ID band is urged to contact Staff Sgt. Sandy Hernandez at sandy.hernandez.mil@mail.mil.