Since Revolutionary War times the US Military has used bugle and drum calls as a form of non–verbal communication with troops. Each branch of the military had its own set of calls. Drums were used for the infantry and bugles for the cavalry and artillery. Many of the US bugle calls are derived from English and French military bugle calls.

By the American Civil War, the calls had been unified across the board with the bugle being the intrument of choice.

On Fort Jackson 13–14 bugle calls a day are broadcasted over the Mass Emergency Notification System. These calls tell soldiers to do a variety of things from wake up, eat, or sleep.

Before the days of the public address system, a real bugler would sound the calls at scheduled times every day. Today they are pre–recorded and played back on speakers placed strategically throughout the fort. Although, buglers are still used at graduation and various other ceremonies.

Those on the fort aren’t the only people who receive the bugle’s messages. According to Fort Jackson’s Deputy Public Affairs Officer Jim Hinnant, “The proximity of some of the surrounding communities results in our bugle calls and, when necessary, emergency announcements being heard off–post at varying distances.”

This means that on a calm, cloudy night nearby residents can hear the solemn notes of Taps being played in the distance.

One of the most recognizable bugle calls, Taps, has a unique history. In his article, “24 Notes that Tap Deep Emotions,” Jari A. Villa-nueva, trumpeter with the Air Force Ceremonial Brass, explained that Taps was a variation, commissioned by a Civil War general, of the original Extinguish Lights. “As the story goes, General Butterfield was not pleased with the call for Extinguish Lights feeling that the call was too formal to signal the days end, and with the help of the brigade bugler, Oliver Willcox Norton, wrote Taps to honor his men while in camp at Harrison’s Landing, Virginia, following the Seven Day’s battle.” It has since become tradition to play Taps at military funerals, hence the deeply–rooted emotion the short call evokes.

Some of the military calls, such as Retreat , date back to the Crusades. According to the Military Analysis Network, Retreat was used by the French army to signal the troops to return to camp. This tradition is still observed today. The MNA states, “When you are outdoors and hear Retreat played, you face toward the flag if you can see it and stand at parade rest. If the flag is not within sight, then face toward the music.”

Many of the other bugle calls are steeped in a rich international military history as well.

(This article was compiled with the help of the Military Analysis Network’s Bugle Calls webpage www.fas.org/man/dod-101/sys/land/bugle.htm

and TapsBugler.com’s

webpage

www.tapsbugler.com/24NotesExcerpt/Page1.html.)

Monday–Friday

5:55 am First Call

6 am Reveille

6:55 am Assembly

7 am Mess Call

7:15 am Assembly

Noon Mess Call

1 pm Assembly

4:50 pm First Call

4:55 pm Assembly

5 pm Retreat/To the Colors

5:30 pm Mess Call

9 pm Tattoo

10:45 pm Call To Quarters

11 pm Taps

Saturday/Holidays

6 am First Call

6:30 am Reveille

7:25 am Assembly

7:30 am Mess Call

11:25 am Assembly

11:30 am Mess Call

4 pm Retreat/To the Colors

4:15 pm First Call

4:20 pm Assembly

4:25 pm Mess Call

9 pm Tattoo

10:45 pm Call To Quarters

11 pm Taps

Sunday

6 am First Call

6:30 am Reveille

7:25 am Assembly

7:30 am Mess Call

10 am Church Call

11:25 am Assembly

11:30 am Mess Call

4 pm Retreat/ To the Colors

4:15 pm First Call

4:20 pm Assembly

4:25 pm Mess Call

9 pm Tattoo

10:45 pm Call to Quarters

11 pm Taps

First call –– Sounds as a warning that personnel will prepare to assemble for a formation. Signals the troops to awaken for morning roll call. Used to accompany the raising of the National Colors.

Assembly –– Signals troops to assemble at a designated place.

Mess call –– Signals mealtime.

Retreat –– Signals the end of the official day.

Tattoo –– Signals that all light in squad rooms be extinguished and that all loud talking and other disturbances be discontinued within 15 minutes.

Call to quarters –– Signals all personnel not authorized to be absent to return to quarters for the night.

Taps –– Signals that unauthorized lights are to be extinguished. This is the last call of the day. The call is also sounded at the completion of a military funeral.

Church call –– Signals religious services are about to begin. The call may also be used to announce the formation of a funeral escort.