“The President’s Own” United States Marine Band is America’s oldest continuously active musical organization, whose mission is to provide music for the President of the United States and Commandant of the Marine Corps. Members of “The President’s Own” perform frequently at the White House in small ensembles, chamber orchestra, concert band, and as soloists. They perform for a wide variety of commitments, to include public concerts, recording sessions, tours, chamber music recitals, military ceremonies, and state functions. Today’s Marine Band is composed of about 130 of the nation’s finest musicians and a full time professional support staff of 22 Marines consisting of communication strategists, recording engineers, stage managers, music arrangers, and librarians. Those selected for “The President’s Own” are exempt from recruit training, are appointed to the rank of Staff Sergeant/pay grade E-6 under a contract “for duty with the U.S. Marine Band only,” and are permanently stationed at Marine Barracks Washington.