§ Sir Nicholas FairbairnTo ask the Secretary of State for Defence what basic military training is undertaken by(a) Army, (b) Royal Marine and (c) Royal Air Force band personnel.
§ Mr. Archie HamiltonRoyal Marine musicians and buglers are trained in a range of basic military skills, to enable them to fulful their peace and war roles, including medical support. For new entrants, this training is provided concurrently with musical training, and in the first 15-week term of their courses some 80 per cent. of the time is spent on basic military training. The proportion of time devoted to musical training increases in subsequent terms. Musicians and buglers undertake seven or more days military training each year following the completion of initial training.
In common with all other recruits to the Army, Army musicians undergo the 10-week common military syllabus (recruits) course on entry, prior to joining the Royal Military School of Music for the musicians' foundation course. On completion of this, they attend a course for bandsmen medical assistants.
Recruits undergo a seven-week initial training course, mostly in drill, at RAF Swinderby, before joining the RAF School of Music. On completion of musical training, trainees attend a medical training course, three weeks and two days long, to equip them for their role as medical assistants.