Name:  Jake Wade

Position/instruments played:  Contra Bass (1996, 1998), Drum Major (1999)

Hometown:  Fort Mill, S.C.

Current profession (what are you doing today?):  Currently Serving as counter-rocket artillery mortar army officer in support of United States Forces Iraq in Baghdad.

Hobbies and interests:  Running marathons, military history, golf, travelling with my wife

Schools attended:  Bachelor of Science in Sport Management, Masters of Education in secondary education social studies with an emphasis on American government

Year joined Carolina Crown: Fall 1995

How many years were you a member: three, as a member; four, as staff/operations member

How did you become interested in Carolina Crown?

Chip Smith was on the board at the time and was very influential in my high school band program. He encouraged me to march and after seeing the corps perform “Stormworks” at Nightbeat 95, I knew that Carolina Crown would be my final destination

What did you most enjoy as a member of Carolina Crown?

There are really three that stand out for me. First, travelling – I loved seeing our country and all the different aspects of life in the U.S. Second, the friendships – I am still close to a lot of people I marched with at Carolina Crown. My best friends in the world are guys I marched with, and I still communicate with them regularly… thanks to Facebook! And third, the thrill of performance – I love show night; the warm-up and the crowd. I would give anything to suit up one more time, stand on a podium and conduct a hornline.

Who have you kept in touch with from Carolina Crown? 

After College I lived with Russ Frazier and Brent Bernier, whom I marched with my rookie year. They both were in my wedding, and we still talk on a regular basis.  I also had the privilege to teach and write drill for a few years after I aged out, so I was always running into folks at BOA events (Andy Hudson, Matt Liner and former staff members). My mom and dad still live in Fort Mill, S.C., so I always try to stop by the office and visit with Kevin and Moe (Smith) when I’m in town.

How did being a member of Carolina Crown prepare you for the future?

I am a soldier, and in my line of work perfection is expected or the results can be catastrophic.  Drum corps is not life and death, but it helped me learn that perfection should be the end-state.  I’ll never forget Donnie Van Doren telling me as we were leaving spring training in 1999, “Jake, you’ve got to be a jerk about the details or your drum corps is going to fail.” I learned two things from that statement: Every detail matters, and as a leader you have to take ownership in your organization.  I have been very successful as an officer in the Army, and I attribute a lot of that success to Carolina Crown.  I really think had I not been a member of Carolina Crown, I would not have been attracted to the military and the high expectations it has of its leaders.

Do you plan on staying involved in Carolina Crown and, if so, how to do you see yourself contributing? 

Obviously my line of work dictates my ability to be directly involved; however, I was blessed to serve the corps a few years after I aged out.  It is my hope that one day I can be in a location and stage of life where I can have a more active role in the day to day operations of Carolina Crown. Even as I have been deployed, I check the scores daily on the internet and download the corps’ performances.