A premier ensemble is a term used in the United States Armed Forces to refer to a military band that has special status. Premier ensembles are configured and commanded so as to attract the highest-quality musicians available, and competition for enlistment is typically fierce. Unlike non-premier ensembles, which provide musical support to specific military units or commands, premier ensembles exist to promote the U.S. military to the public at large, to support state ceremonies, and to preserve the heritage of American martial music. There are currently eleven such units.