With the Armistice came the breaking up of the marvelous service bands. But the Navy Department, now fully aware of the great necessity for band music, appointed a musical unit to officially represent the United States Navy. They chose their foremost musical group, The Navy Yard Band of Washington, D. C. The selection of a leader was most important, but after careful consideration, Bandmaster Charles Benter was appointed to the post. Lieutenant Benter left a successful term of service on the _U.S.S. Connecticut_ to reorganize and direct the Navy’s band of eighteen members. That the new leader was well qualified was soon plain to all. By 1923 Lieutenant Benter had sixty-three enthusiastic, capable performers playing twenty varieties of instruments. Under this able director, the Washington Navy Yard Band soon made a place in the hearts of all in the Capital city. A special act of Congress, signed by President Coolidge on his inauguration day, made this organization the permanent, official band of the United States Navy. Congress also gave the U. S. Navy Band the official right to play for three organizations: the American Legion, the DAR and the American Red Cross. The band’s name was changed from the Washington Navy Yard Band to the United States Navy Band. Another noticeable change was made then,--the band gave up wearing the traditional bell-bottomed trousers, adopting instead the regulation Chief Petty Officers’ uniform, dark blue in winter and white in summer. The United States Navy Band spends its working time in Washington, D. C. within the walls of the Naval gun factory. Their great library is housed here and also their valuable band instruments. In the huge, historic, sail loft the band practices, gives concerts and plays its radio broadcasts. The regular duties of the U. S. Navy Band include playing at the Presidential Inauguration ceremonies, at many White House affairs, and in numerous parades held in the Capital. The U. S. Navy Band plays at the funeral services of all Navy men buried in Arlington Cemetery, as well as at funerals of statesmen, congressmen and other prominent officials. The Navy Band has toured the United States playing in most of the large cities in every state. Canada, where it is a great favorite, Alaska, Panama, Cuba, Puerto Rico, Jamaica, Haiti and the Virgin Islands, have all been visited by this popular organization. Many young men are eager to enlist in the Navy Band. They are attracted by its glamour and by the opportunity to get a good education and to see the world. But it isn’t easy to get into the music department of the United States Navy.