We appreciate all the effort that every musician adds to the VetJams mission.  We also want to be transparent to our community and to each other, so these are the current guidelines that we try and organize the band, the musicians, and the mission by:

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• No egos.  We all know as musicians that egos are a part of who we are.  But try and remember as we're working together to be selfless.  Just like many of learned in the military, it's about the mission first.  

• No one hears the fuckups but us.  I use to have a Gunny that said "don't sweat the small stuff, and it's all small stuff".  We all make mistakes, and every time we play there's going to be something you think you could of done better, but don't let it get in the way of realizing what we're doing every time we play.  We're trying to change social norms and eliminate stigmas in our community, lean into that.  Know that even the worst screw ups have good intention behind them.  Remember to breathe.

• Pay.  We pay professional musicians first.  Our goal has always been to integrate the amazing musicians of New Orleans into VetJams to create great music and mentors for veterans and active military members of the band.  We play some shows for tips and some shows we will get money for the gig from the venue.  The money from the venue and tips will be distributed this way:

  • 75% of the total revenue goes to the professional musicians first.​

    • the 75% amount is to be split between all of the professional musicians that play that evening.  We don't pro rate it by the amount of sets.  But if a professional musician plays an entire set, they will be offered their equal share among all the professional musicians in attendance that night.​

  • 25% goes to the general VetJams fund.  This is for advertising and other hard costs associated with the gig.  This is sometimes waved on light tip nights so that the professional musicians get a bigger amount for their time.​

• Try to make practice.  We typically try and meet for practice at the VFW the Wednesday before every show.  Please make every effort to attend practice even if you don't need it for your instrument, it helps others who are learning their parts, and creates community.​

• If you are scheduled for a gig, please let the band coordinator for that show if you can't make it.  

• Hold each other accountable.  One of the best things about being a part of a larger group is that we can hold each other accountable through our shared experiences and for the mission.