Navy Musician (MU): Definitive Guide (2025)

This guide provides helpful information for those looking into joining the Navy as a Musician (MU) during the Fiscal Year 2025.  

Some people fight with weapons. Others with music. Navy Musicians bring the power of performance wherever the fleet goes.

From world-class concerts to small ceremonies, these Sailors set the soundtrack for Navy life—whether it’s a marching band at an international festival, a jazz combo playing for foreign dignitaries, or a rock group lifting spirits on deployment.

One day, you could be playing at a presidential inauguration. The next, you’re on a live TV broadcast or performing at sea for fellow Sailors. Whether it’s brass, strings, keys, or percussion—if you have the skill, the Navy has a stage.

Want to start your musical journey with the Navy?

Job Description

navy-musician-insignia
MU Insignia – Credit: U.S. Navy

Musicians (MU) are Navy enlisted Sailors who create and perform music, enhance performances, and provide support to the Navy fleet.

Navy Musicians do it all—play, rehearse, arrange, conduct. They run the show. Set up performances. Manage bands. Make sure every note hits right, whether it’s a full-blown military parade or a quiet ceremony on deck.

Navy bands aren’t just about music. They’re about presence. Connection. They bring people together, whether it’s through a high-energy rock show or a solemn military tribute.

You’ll see them at presidential inaugurations, overseas diplomatic events, even live TV appearances.

MU Sailors lead Navy bands, organize performances, and handle the behind-the-scenes work that makes it all happen. From Sousa marches to jazz fusion, bluegrass to Broadway—if it’s music, they play it.

There are two big names in Navy music: The United States Navy Band in Washington, D.C., and the Naval Academy Band in Annapolis, MD. Then there are twelve fleet bands scattered across the world, keeping the music alive wherever Sailors serve.

In this job, one day might have you playing at a retirement ceremony, the next at a stadium full of thousands. You might be on a ship, a stage, or live on the air.

Every performance carries the Navy’s message, boosting morale, building connections, and representing the fleet with pride.

Specific Responsibilities

As a Navy Musician, you will:

  • Perform in marching bands, concert bands, jazz ensembles, rock bands, and small groups
  • Play for live audiences, radio, and television
  • Arrange and adapt music for different performances
  • Provide music for military ceremonies, public concerts, parades, and educational outreach
  • Represent the Navy at official events, both in the U.S. and around the world

Rank Structure

Pay GradeRateAbbreviationTitle
E-1Seaman RecruitSRSeaman Recruit
E-2Seaman ApprenticeSASeaman Apprentice
E-3SeamanSNSeaman
E-4Musician Third ClassMU3Petty Officer Third Class
E-5Musician Second ClassMU2Petty Officer Second Class
E-6Musician First ClassMU1Petty Officer First Class
E-7Chief MusicianMUCChief Petty Officer
E-8Senior Chief MusicianMUCSSenior Chief Petty Officer
E-9Master Chief MusicianMUCMMaster Chief Petty Officer

Salary and Benefits

Salary for the First 6 Years

Monthly pay for Navy enlisted Sailors (E-1 to E-6) in the first six years is laid out in the January  2025 Active Duty Pay chart:

Pay GradeLess than 2 YearsOver 2 YearsOver 3 YearsOver 4 YearsOver 6 Years
E-1$2,108.10$2,108.10$2,108.10$2,108.10$2,108.10
E-2$2,362.80$2,362.80$2,362.80$2,362.80$2,362.80
E-3$2,484.60$2,640.60$2,800.80$2,800.80$2,800.80
E-4$2,752.20$2,892.90$3,049.80$3,204.30$3,341.40
E-5$3,001.50$3,203.70$3,358.80$3,517.20$3,763.80
E-6$3,276.60$3,606.00$3,765.00$3,919.80$4,080.60

Extra Pays and Allowances

Housing Allowance (BAH):
For members living off-base. Covers rent, based on rank, location, and if they have dependents.

Subsistence Allowance (BAS):
Enlisted get $465.77 monthly for food.

Hazard Duty Pay:
For dangerous jobs. Pays $150-$250 per month, depending on the job.

Sea Pay:
For those assigned to ships or deployed units. Depends on rank and time at sea, from $50 to $750 a month.

Special and Incentive Pays:
Bonuses for certain roles, like air traffic control or unique skills. These can be a few hundred to thousands per year.

Source: Figures are from the Defense Finance and Accounting Service.

Benefits

  • Healthcare: Active-duty personnel are eligible for free complete medical and dental treatment. Tricare programs are inexpensive for families to use.
  • Housing Accomodation: Depending on location, rank, and family size, free on-base accommodation or a tax-free housing allowance (BAH) for off-base living are available.
  • Food: Monthly Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) for food costs is known as the “food allowance.”
  • Blended Retirement System (BRS): Conventional pensions are no longer available to active-duty personnel. Rather:
    • Thrift Savings Plan (TSP): Up to 5% in government matching and automatic contributions.
    • Retirement Pay: After 20 years of service, you’re eligible for monthly payments according on the BRS formula, which combines TSP savings with a calculated pension.
  • Education:
    • Availability of tuition assistance programs that pay for all or part of college tuition.
    • Support for higher education under the post-9/11 GI Bill.
    • Navy College Program to support education while on service.
  • Life Insurance: Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) provides coverage up to $500,000.
  • Vacation: ten or more federal holidays plus thirty days of paid vacation each year.
  • Extra Benefits:
    • Exchanges and commissaries provide tax-free purchasing.
    • Discounted travel via military resorts, access to fitness centers, and leisure amenities.
Navy-MU-Rating-Musician-Image-704X396

Training and Promotion Opportunities 

After Boot Camp at Great Lakes, you’ll head to the Naval School of Music in Virginia Beach, VA. That’s where you’ll spend 21 weeks in “A” School, learning how to turn your musical talent into something fit for the fleet. Concert bands, parade bands, small ensembles—you’ll train for it all.

SchoolLocationDurationSubjectsTraining Methods
Naval School of MusicLittle Creek, VA29 weeksInstrument performance, ear training, music theory fundamentals, Jazz Ensemble, Concert Band, Drill Band, Improvisation, Contemporary Music EnsembleConcert Band, Marching Band, Stage Band, small specialty ensembles

Expect daily rehearsals. Expect to be pushed. This isn’t just music—it’s music with purpose. You’ll sharpen your ear, fine-tune your technique, and learn how to perform in a military setting.

Once you graduate, you’ll get orders to one of the Navy’s bands, stationed across the U.S., Hawaii, Japan, or Italy. Where you go depends on the needs of the Navy—but your preferences matter too.

Naval School of Music

Located at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story in Virginia Beach, VA, the Naval School of Music trains Navy and Marine Corps musicians to perform at the highest level.

This is the largest military music school in the world. If you make it here, expect intense training—music theory, ear training, performance, and military discipline. The goal? Get you ready for real-world gigs in Navy and Marine bands.

After Boot Camp, you head straight here. You’ll sharpen your skills, learn how to play in concert bands, ceremonial bands, jazz combos, rock groups—whatever the Navy needs. Once you graduate, you get your official musician designation and your assignment to a fleet band.

Advanced Training

Want to go further? The Navy offers advanced courses in:

  • Live sound production
  • Rehearsal techniques
  • Music arranging
  • Conducting
  • Drum majoring
  • Theory & ear training

The Naval School of Music builds professional military musicians. Graduates don’t just play—they represent. On ships, at bases, in front of diplomats, presidents, and foreign audiences worldwide.

Promotion & Post-Service Opportunities

Advancement? It’s competitive, based on skill and performance. But those who stand out move up.

And when it’s time to transition? The experience you gain—live performances, music theory, professional-level training—sets you up for a future in the civilian music world.


Qualifications to Join 

To become a Navy Musician (MU), you need:

  • A high school diploma or equivalent
  • A high level of musical skill – Navy bands only take the best
  • To pass an official audition
  • To meet strict appearance and enlistment requirements

There’s no ASVAB requirement for this rating. But getting in isn’t easy—positions are limited, and competition is fierce. You have to prove you can perform at a professional level across multiple musical styles.

If you’re serious about joining, contact a Navy Recruiter or reach out directly to the Navy Music Audition Supervisor at Mill_NavyMusic@navy.mil.

The enlistment qualification requirements above are current as of Fiscal Year 2025, per the Navy Personnel Command. This information is not readily available to the public. So, contact your local Navy Enlisted Recruiter for the most current requirements to join the Navy as an enlisted Sailor. 

More Information 

If you wish to learn more about becoming a Navy Musician (MU), contact your local Navy Enlisted Recruiter. They will provide you with more detailed information you’re unlikely to find online. 

You may also be interested in the following related Navy Enlisted jobs: 

Ted Kingston
I’m a Navy veteran who used to serve as a Navy recruiter. This website is the most reliable source of information for all Enlisted Navy Sailor aspirants. In coordination with a network of current and former Navy recruiters, my goal is to make reliable information easily available to you so you can make informed career decisions.

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