III Marine Expeditionary Force Band
III MEF Band Logo
III Marine Expeditionary Force
Okinawa, Japan

01

III MEF Band Holiday Concert

The III Marine Expeditionary Force Band conducted their Holiday Concert Series at the Camp Foster Base Theater. The three concerts brought holiday...

02

Tinsel Town 2023

The III Marine Expeditionary Force Band Popular Music Group performed at Tinsel Town in celebration of the holiday season. This was one of several...

03

Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremonies

The III Marine Expeditionary Force Brass Band performed for the tree lighting ceremonies all across Okinawa, kicking off the holiday season right...

04

2023 Japan Self-Defense Force Marching Festival

The III Marine Expeditionary Force Band was invited to perform in the annual Japan Self-Defense Force Marching Festival at the iconic Nippon Budokan!...

05

Courtney Festival

The III Marine Expeditionary Force Band Popular Music Group performed alongside local and international artists at Courtney Festival over this...

06

Fuji Friendship Festival

Marines from the III Marine Expeditionary Band Popular Music Group, Ceremonial Band, and Brass Band spent the weekend performing alongside local...

07

Kadena Special Olympics

The III Marine Expeditionary Force Brass Band performed for the Opening Ceremony for the Kadena Special Olympics. For the first time in 6 years, the...

 

III MEF Band News

Marine musicians perform a wide variety of military and civic events such as ceremonies, parades, festivals, public concerts, educational outreach, and professional sporting events. Music support utilizes a variety of ensemble configurations to include wind ensemble, ceremonial band, brass band, jazz combo, popular music group, brass quintet, jazz ensemble, and bugler.

Public & Civic Events

Whether a traditional concert hall, outdoor venue or parade, military band performances must be free and open to the public. Marine Bands may perform at fairs, exhibitions and similar venues with admission fees if the performance is incidental to the primary event and no additional fee is charged to hear the band perform. Additional restrictions may apply. 

Policy and Legal Restrictions
  1. U.S. Military participation does not imply endorsement of the event or the organization hosting the event. The requested information is required to evaluate the event. Please complete all sections.
     
  2. Armed Forces musical units are organized for ceremonial and traditional purposes and to support recruiting activities. However, they may be authorized to provide certain specified presentations, such as patriotic ceremonies for public programs. Armed Forces musical organizations are not permitted to provide entertainment, background, dinner, dance or other social music at public or private events in competition with the customary or regular employment of local civilian musicians. Limited resources permit only one band and/or choir to perform at an event, and the Military Services reserve the right to cancel support to requesters who have scheduled more than one such military unit.
     
  3. Department of Defense (DoD) policies require that Armed Forces participation in public events will be provided at no additional cost to the Government, which means un-programmed costs incurred solely because of participation in or support of an unplanned activity. For example, additional costs to the Government include unplanned travel and transportation, meals and lodging for military personnel away from Government mess, civilian per diem, and overtime pay. Unsolicited contributions of money, personal property, or services (e.g., gifts in kind for lodging, meals, transportation) may be accepted for the benefit of military musical units for events that align with the DoD's mission. All costs are binding after a unit, personnel, or exhibit has arrived at an event site, even though weather conditions or other unforeseen circumstances force the event to be cancelled.
     
  4. Requests should be submitted to the appropriate Military Service not less than 30 days in advance of a scheduled program. Final determination will occur no earlier than 90 days in advance. Please realize that all Armed Forces units have specific military missions and training requirements. Participation in public programs will only be authorized when such support is in the best interests of the DoD and the Military Services and does not interfere with mission or training programs. In all cases, operational commitments must take priority and can cause previously scheduled appearances to be cancelled.
Performance Request Process

Start your request for musical support by choosing the appropriate request form below. Once received, we will determine whether we can support your request. If your request is approved, a representative from the band will reach out to you for coordination. If your request is denied, you/your organization will receive an email explaining why your request is not eligible to receive support.

Military Request Form
Civilian Request Form

As the Eastern Hemisphere’s sole musical representative of the United States Marine Corps, the III MEF Band enjoys a busy schedule filled with performances across Okinawa and throughout the Far East each year.  The band capitalizes on this unique position by making it a priority to present community outreach performances and participating in international military band festivals.

III MEF BAND
UNIT 35601
FPO AP 96382

Calling from Japan
DSN: 645-3919
From a Cell Phone: 098-970-3919
FAX: 645-7786

Calling from United States
Phone Number: 011-81-98-970-3919
Fax: 011-81-611-745-7786

IIIMEFBandSupportRequest@usmc.mil

III Marine Expeditionary Force Band Leaders

III Marine Expeditionary Force Band
Band Officer

Chief Warrant Officer 3 DeMarius D. Jackson enlisted in the United States Marine Corps Reserve in

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III Marine Expeditionary Force Band
Bandmaster

Master Gunnery Sergeant J. Michael Stanley studied Music Education and Applied French Horn at

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