Interviewer
Caleb Klaus
Files
Description
Marine Corps Master Sergeant Daniel Sullivan describes his decision to join the Marine Corps, where he served 21 years, playing clarinet and other instruments in Marine Corps bands. Sullivan talks about auditioning to become a member of the band, the role of the band to provide musical support to the troops, and traveling to different places to participate in parades and educate citizens about what the military does. He notes that the military bands in which he played would also teach master classes to high school and college students as a way of connecting with them and letting them know that the military provides musicians an opportunity to work in their field. Sullivan describes the different places he was stationed, including Japan, Hawaii, California, and Parris Island, South Carolina, specifically recalling his time at Parris Island where he was the acting band leader. He discusses why he chose to retire after serving 21 years, the lack of camaraderie that he felt after leaving the military, and the difficulty of reintegrating into civilian life. He details his struggles finding a civilian job because many employers don’t understand the breadth of military experience. He briefly mentions why he chose to return to the University of Montana to pursue a degree in computer science.
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Document Type
Oral History
Subjects
U.S. Military; U.S. Marine Corps; Military basic training; Parris Island, South Carolina; Military bands; Musicians; Clarinet players; Military concerts; Military parades; Troop support; Band leaders; Conductors; Computer Science; Reintegration; University of Montana; Civilian life; Missoula, Montana; Job searches; Veteran support; Camaraderie
Original Date
11-24-2019
Time Period
Twentieth century
Geographic Coverage
Montana; North Carolina
Language
eng
Original Collection
The Veteran’s Experience Oral History Project, OH 472
Holding Institution
University of Montana. Mansfield Library. Archives and Special Collections
Digital Publisher
University of Montana--Missoula. Mansfield Library
Rights Statement
Rights Holder
Copyright to this collection is held by the interview participants and by the Maureen and Mike Mansfield Library, University of Montana-Missoula. Permission may be required for use. For further information please contact Archives and Special Collections at the University of Montana, Mansfield Library.
Oral History Number
OH 472-010
Media Type
Sound; Text
Original Format
1 MP3 file (00:50:36): digital + 1 transcript (13 pp.: 28 cm.)
Digital Format
audio/mp3; application/pdf
Run Time
00:50:36 minutes
Local Filename
OH_472_010.mp3; OH_472_010.pdf
Citation
Sullivan, Daniel, "Daniel Sullivan Interview, November 24, 2019" (2019). The Veteran’s Experience Oral History Project. 7.
https://scholarworks.umt.edu/veteransexperience_oralhistory/7