Air Force Times reports that “when Congresswoman Martha McSally told Air Force leaders in March that she would rather see members of service bands on the flightline than the stage — where, she said, they’re needed more — reactions were mixed.”  

“Military bands have been part of service tradition for more than 70 years, Air Force Times readers noted, while acknowledging that budget cuts are affecting all areas of the Defense Department. Last week, the Arizona Republican pushed forward, introducing a plan that would limit all military ensemble performances at social functions outside official military duties.”  

“’For every dollar that is spent on our bands to entertain at social functions, that’s a dollar we’re not spending on national security and our troops and families,’ said McSally, a retired Air Force colonel.”