European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - August 14, 1991, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Does music slow the aging process by David Bauder the associated press before settling on a name musicians in this group i discarded such ideas As the last Chance band or the grateful alive. Most of the members of the new horizons band have about 40 years of experience on the tie Dye Clad youngsters teaching them How to play their instruments at the Eastman school of music in Rochester . Along with having fun and fulfilling a few lifelong dreams the band members Are about to become test cases in studies to determine whether playing music has health benefits for an aging population. Quot As far As i know there is no time in which it is too late to play Quot said Frank Wilson a California neurologist and author of tone deaf and a thumbs an invitation to music making. Wilson organized a week Long conference on music and aging this summer around the exploits of the Rochester band. The new horizons band is different from the hundreds of Community and Church bands spread across the country because its organizers were looking strictly for novices. Band members must be at least 50 years old. When Roy Ernst professor of music readers action line education at the Eastman school placed a newspaper and in january announcing. The Start of the band he hoped for 30 1 replies. He got about 60. His group is a mixture of people who have never picked up an instrument or have done nothing since High school band. A few musically proficient people were told they could t play the instrument they were used to. A piano teacher who joined had to play a wind instrument. Playing largely classical compositions members practice both in Large and Small groups. They be put on one informal performance so far but Are hoping for some Public appearances. Ernst Hal pad Start the group with a Grant from the National association of music merchants who sense a potential new Market if the idea catches fire. Band members practice twice a week and Ernst reports Quot remarkable Progress among some of his charges. After several weeks of being unable to coax a sound from the clarinet 77-year-old Whitelaw Roemer has progressed to the Point where he even composed a musical accompaniment to the poem the rime of the ancient Mariner. Quot its always been a secret desire of mine to play an instrument a said Roemer who retired after working 40 years at Kodak Headquarters. Dorris Nash 67, found Little time for the Whiman Roemer 77, discovered that you re never too old to play. A member of the new horizons band he recently Learned to play the clarinet. Saxophone she played in High school after growing up and raising two children. The retired medical librarian jumped at the Chance to Start again after being told about the band. Quot the camaraderie is just marvelous Quot Nash said. A everyone is just smiling and having a Good  that s the most obvious Benefit the band gives people who May be lonely a social activity and people who Are less isolated tend to be More healthy Ernst said. But the University of Rochester s medical school will be looking for More hidden benefits a such As whether learning to play an instrument Lowers blood pressure or increases brain activity said researcher Kenneth Swartz. Band participants say that while learning to play instruments like tubas and Drums May be physically More difficult than when they were teen agers they re better a motivated. Members Are learning to play because they want to not because they need an extra credit to graduate from High school Ernst said. Quot you Aren t really intimidated by a music teacher the Way you might have been As a child Quot Roemer said. Quot Back then if you had played a wrong note you might have gotten slapped on the  the role of the warrant officer a when will the army get serious about the professional development and utilization of the warrant officer promises of big and sweeping changes in this area seems to fizzle out with Little accomplished. Getting things changed in the Field seems the biggest problem. Total warrant officer service is one such program. Warrant officers who attend the new master warrant officer course Are still being assigned to positions As any other warrant officer. Why because few positions Are coded for the rank. Even senior warrant officers Are still assigned to positions As before with no emphasis on Grade or rank. Junior warrant officers Arentt Given the Opportunity to develop their Basic skills As Are Junior commissioned officers. There Are Many ideas of How the warrant officer should be assigned and used in the Field. The Standard of the army on this matter in t Clear. During budget cuts warrant officer civil education programs were amongst the first to be Cut. Comparing a Pam 600-3 commissioned officer professional development and utilization and a Pam 600-11 warrant officer professional development both commissioned and warrant officers Are Given the Opportunity to attend College under fully funded programs. The commissioned officer can receive up to $600 per fiscal year for books and supplies the warrant officer will receive Only $100 per fiscal year. A a pm 25-2 unit training management gives Levels of progression of both the commissioned officer and warrant officer. Each level of commissioned officer development prepares the officer for a higher level of responsibility. The warrant officer development is not As detailed the definition of a warrant officer As outlined in a 611112 states that a warrant officer is single tracked for the duration of his career. By doing this he she gains knowledge and expertise in his her career Field warrant officer candidates must meet the same Page 16 the stars and stripes aptitude As the commissioned officer except the commissioned officer is afforded the Opportunity to attend College before entering service. The warrant officer using aviation As an exam Leon the other hand comes in learns How to Fly applies it to tactics and puts it together in the units Mission essential task list Metal. The warrant officer can spend 20 or More years becoming a technical expert in his her Field even training commissioned officers As they Progress up the Chain. But the warrant officer with All that technical expertise has Little or no authority or say to apply it. A warrant officer is Only As effective As the commissioned officer appointed Over him her. Even with minimum resources to do the Job the warrant officer continues to prove How much of a professional he she is even in the Wake of the widening pay Gap the warrant officer has continued giving the service that Only a professional of his her stature and dedication will do. Redundancy in military occupational specialities Between warrant officers and commissioned officers leaves Little Chance for the warrant officer because of the civilian education opportunities. So i ask the question again when will the army get serious about the professional development and utilization of the warrant officer allow the warrant officer to grow professionally As is the commissioned officer. Chief warrant officer 4 Willie j. Thurman Frankfurt Germany in master warrant officer David Heaton sr., personnel policy integrator office of the Deputy chief of staff for personnel replies the army has always been serious about the role the warrant officer plays in the defense of our country. Recognizing the important Rote the warrant officer played in operations desert shield and storm the senior leadership of the army activated a committee to review the current and future roles for warrant officers in our army. This committee called Quot the warrant officer Leader development network Quot is composed of commissioned officers and senior warrant officers from All major wednesday August 14, 1991 a. A a Quot Usu us 1013, i me  ill Tel 111 May and july and is scheduled to meet in october of this year. The committee is reviewing the entire life Cycle management policies for warrant officers to include accession criteria military and civil education requirements and opportunities assignment policies leadership training and roles marketing of warrant officer skills to the entire army and pay and allowance inequities. The committee is scheduled to report its findings and development plan to the chief of staff army on or about nov. 1. A since 1916, the warrant officer has played an important role in our army. With the increase in technical weapons and management systems the role of the warrant officer has increased to new dimensions. Congress recognizes the important role warrant officers play in the combat readiness of our army there is Strong support in both the . House of representatives and the Senate for passage of the current warrant officer management act which will allow us to better manage the warrant officer corps. The senior leadership of the army recognizes the important combat readiness role the warrant officer plays in today a technical army. Through the warrant officer Leader development network Steps will be taken to a maximize the dedicated professional service of our warrant officers to Benefit both the army and the warrant to write us readers action line is the readers Quot court of last  striving to answer some of the questions about life overseas in a military environment or Quot questions about policies and guidelines when other avenues for answers Are not readily available. If you have a question and done to know where to turn for the Mower wite to readers action line co the stars and stripes Apo 09211-4211. A letters must be signed and preference will be Given to those seeking information of general interest to our readers