SILL-WWW.ARMY.MIL
THE OFFICIAL HOMEPAGE OF THE 77th ARMY BAND

The Band was constituted Mar. 1, 1907 in the Regular Army as the 13th Band, Coast Artillery and activated at Fort Du Pont, Dela. After World War I, it was reorganized and re-designated as the Band Section, Headquarters Battery, 16th Coast Artillery at Fort Armstrong, Territory of Hawaii. Next it was withdrawn from Headquarters Battery and re-designated as the Band, 16th Coast Artillery in July 1927.
After earning the Central Pacific and Western Pacific Campaign Streamers in World War II, the Band, 16th Coast Artillery was reorganized and re-designated on May 23, 1944 as the 77th Army Ground Forces Band. The 77th Army Ground Forces Band was inactivated Nov. 29, 1946 on Saipan, but became the 77th Army Band on Apr. 15, 1947 and was reactivated May 1, 1947 in the Philippines as the 77th Army Band (Philippine Scouts). It was inactivated June 1, 1949, then activated Nov. 1, 1951 at Fort Huachuca, Ariz. as the 77th Army Band. It was inactivated May 8, 1953.
The Band was finally activated Feb. 24, 1955 at Fort Sill, Okla., where it has remained. It has served under many different headquarters at Fort Sill and is currently aligned with the Fires Center of Excellence, but it has always been "The Pride of Fort Sill!".

--Campaign Participation Credit--

World War II - Central Pacific, Western Pacific

In 1996, Lt. Gen. John “Jack” Costello established the Air Defense Artillery Pipes and Drums at Fort Bliss, Texas, through a partnership with the United Kingdom’s Pipes and Drums of the 105th Royal Artillery Regiment (Volunteers). In the summer of 2009, the Air Defense Artillery School relocated from Fort Bliss to Fort Sill as part of the Fires Center of Excellence and brought the tradition of artillery pipes and drums. In January 2011, to honor the passing and memory of Costello, a new band of bagpipers was forged at the Fires Center of Excellence with both the Air Defense and Field Artillery branches represented as one Fires community family and given the name by proclamation: Costello’s Own. This band of Soldiers carries on a centuries old tradition; playing the true instrument of the warrior, the highland bagpipes.

The tartan they wear belongs to the warrior family "FIRES," of which we are all members. The red comes from the red earth of Oklahoma; the foundation of everything we have built on. Red is also the branch color of both Field Artillery and Air Defense Artillery; representing Fires as the dominant color of the tartan. The gold can be found in the color of the plains, and in the dream that lead so many early settlers to drive westward in search of their dream. That dream and these plains are the reason Fort Sill was first established, and remains as a sentinel of freedom and the American way of life. Gold is also the second color of both FA and ADA. The black comes from the fire and cold steel Fort Sill willingly provides to enemies of freedom. Black on the tartan also represents the hard line of excellence and values; distinguishing Fires from other organizations who lack in these necessities. The white and blue are borrowed from the flag of our nation to remind us of who we serve.

The members of Costello’s Own are all Soldiers, handpicked by their commanders and senior enlisted leaders from within the Fires units' rank and file, who have spent the past several months sharpening and honing their skills ... as only a true warrior knows to do.

"Volunteer for Costello's Own"
Completed applications should be returned to the FCoE G3 SGM

St. Barbara's Day Ball

CW2 Jac’kel R. Smalls

CW2 Jac’kel R. Smalls is a native of Goose Creek, S.C. After graduating from Goose Creek High School, CW2 Smalls attended and graduated from Winthrop University with a Bachelor’s degree in music education and Liberty University with a Master’s in business administration.

CW2 Smalls entered the Army in July 2007. He completed basic training at Fort Jackson, S.C. and attended AIT at the U.S. Army School of Music at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Fort Story, Va. His enlisted assignments include: the 2nd Infantry Division Band Uijongbu, Korea; the 392nd Army Band Fort Lee, Va.; the 56th Army Band, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Wash. and the 1st Armored Division Band, Fort Bliss, Texas. CW2 Smalls graduated from Warrant Officer Candidate School and the School of Music’s Army Warrant Officer Basic Course in 2014. He currently serves as the commander of the 77th Army Band, Fort Sill, Okla.

His military awards include the Army Commendation Medal with two oak leaf clusters (OLC); the Army Achievement Medal with one OLC; the Army Good Conduct Medal, second award; the National Defense Service Medal; the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal; the NCO Professional Development ribbon, second award; and the Overseas Service Ribbon.

CW2 Smalls is married and has two children.

(Vacant)

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77th Army Band operations: 580-442-2010

If you want us to perform for your off-post event, fill out THIS FORM and email it to the Public Affairs Office. For more information or help in filling in the form, call the PAO community relations officer at 580-442-3024.

If you need us to perform on Fort Sill, fill out THIS FORM and email it to Mike Simmons or call 580-442-1847.