The 34th Infantry Division Band, Minnesota Army National Guard is a multi-faceted organization whose mission is to provide the Soldiers and citizens of Minnesota with first class musical support. The Band accomplishes this mission by fielding a wide variety of ensembles tailored to support ceremonies, events, and performances. These teams include: the Red Bull Symphonic Wind Ensemble and Marching
Band, the Red Bull Jazz Band, the North Star Brass Quintet, Red Devil Rock Band, Cover Fire Country/Pop Band, and the M-Saxteen Saxophone Ensemble. These ensembles support the state of Minnesota as part of the Minnesota National Guard’s Soldier and family initiatives and as a strategic outreach asset. The modern day “Red Bull” Band traces its lineage through the 1st Minnesota Infantry Regiment Band first organized on 30 April 1900. The unit was first mobilized for federal service during the Mexican Campaign and later was reassigned to the famed 135th Infantry Regiment for World War I service. The band deployed in support of World War II, seeing service in North Africa with the 135th Infantry Regiment and later as the 34th Infantry Division Band in Italy. The unit was made a part of the 47th “Viking” Infantry Division for the duration of the Cold War, seeing yet another mobilization to Fort Rucker, Alabama as a training division in support of the Korean War. Soon after the conclusion of the Cold War, the unit was once again re-designated the 34th Infantry Division Band in 1991 as a part of the reactivation of the renowned “Red Bull” division. The 34th Infantry Division Band was mobilized in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom from 2009-2010. The unit was stationed in COB Basra, Iraq and conducting over 450 performances throughout Southern Iraq, Kuwait, and the Persian Gulf. The modern day 34th Infantry Division Band trains to maintain not only their musical expertise, but also their basic Soldier skills. Their training regimen includes weapons qualification, physical training, small unit movement techniques and tactical combat casualty care in their continuous effort to remain “Always Ready”. The 34th Infantry Division Band has earned several awards for excellence including the French Croix de Guerre with Palm, Meritorious Unit Commendation, and the Col. The unit is also credited for service in the following campaigns: World War I, Tunisia, Naples-Foggia, Anzio, Rome-Arno, North Apennines, Po Valley, and Iraq. The 34th Infantry Division Band is based in Rosemount, Minnesota as part of the 34th Infantry Division, Headquarters and Headquarters Support Battalion and is proud to carry forward a 119 year tradition of dedicated service to state and nation.
“ATTACK-ATTACK-ATTACK”
