Equally at home on the parade ground or on the maneuvers, members of the 1st Cavalry Division band can switch quickly from one side of their dual role to the other. As bandsmen, the band members provide music for 1st Cavalry activities during normal times, but as soldiers they are ready to exchange their horns and drums for carbines and packs on short notice. When the division moves into the field on maneuvers or in combat, the band becomes a security unit, responsible for perimiter defense of a division command area.