Posted on Nov 16, 2015
What is your favorite military bugle call to hear?
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Everybody who has spent time on a military installation has heard bugle calls - either by an actual bugler or a recorded bugle call. Some calls woke us up [First Call]; accompanied the raising of the National Colors [Reveille]; told us it was time to eat [Mess Call]; announced the retiring of the National Colors [Retreat]; told us to turn to out the lights in squad rooms of old [Tattoo]; told us to go back to our rooms [Call to Quarters]; and go to sleep (Taps) or remember the recently departed.
Many bases, posts, camps and stations only used some of these bugle calls each day; but, a few used many or most - especially West Point in my experience. Those of us who spent time on Parade fields heard Assembly, Attention and Adjutant's Call played many times. I can't remember if a bugle call coincided with the Commander's command to initiate pass in review.
The U.S. Army Music hyperlink includes each bugle call.
How did the bugle calls affect you? Did you enjoy them or did you do your best to be inside when they were played?
http://www.music.army.mil/music/buglecalls/
Many bases, posts, camps and stations only used some of these bugle calls each day; but, a few used many or most - especially West Point in my experience. Those of us who spent time on Parade fields heard Assembly, Attention and Adjutant's Call played many times. I can't remember if a bugle call coincided with the Commander's command to initiate pass in review.
The U.S. Army Music hyperlink includes each bugle call.
How did the bugle calls affect you? Did you enjoy them or did you do your best to be inside when they were played?
http://www.music.army.mil/music/buglecalls/
United States Military Academy (USMA West Point)
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Edited >1 y ago
Posted 10 y ago
Responses: 126
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LTC Stephen F.
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises Mess Call · The Sun Harbor Chorus Bugle Calls of America 1996 Documentary Recordings Released on: 2002-02-05...
Thank you for responding CPT (Join to see) and letting us know your favorite bugle call seems to be mess call
Mess Call
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5iT7qbTw68
Mess Call
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5iT7qbTw68
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LTC Stephen F.
Mess Call is sounded for the U.S. Corps of Cadets prior to lunch formation at The United States Military Academy, West Point, NY.
Mess Call at USMA my alma mater
Mess Call is sounded for the U.S. Corps of Cadets prior to lunch formation at The United States Military Academy, West Point, NY.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av0KwEhfbEE
FYI SFC William Farrell SGT Steve McFarland SFC Jack Champion LTC Kenneth Konstanzer SMSgt Lawrence McCarter COL Mikel J. Burroughs
Mess Call is sounded for the U.S. Corps of Cadets prior to lunch formation at The United States Military Academy, West Point, NY.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=av0KwEhfbEE
FYI SFC William Farrell SGT Steve McFarland SFC Jack Champion LTC Kenneth Konstanzer SMSgt Lawrence McCarter COL Mikel J. Burroughs
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One of the common items used within the past to play bugle calls over a Post wide public address system.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you, my friend SMSgt Lawrence McCarter for sharing a very familiar image of an LP which many younger members not be acquainted with :-)
Nowadays I expect prerecorded bugle calls are digitized.
Nowadays I expect prerecorded bugle calls are digitized.
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SMSgt Lawrence McCarter
LTC Stephen F. - When I was a Cadet at Bordentown Military Institute we had a system such as that with record of all the bugle calls. Each Day there was a Cadet Guard Detail posted and the Corporal of the Guard was responsible for paying the calls and playing them on time. I have played those records for the bugle calls and the Public Address speakers carried them all over the campus. In the picture here is the actual turntable for that record player. It was kept in a locked cabinet which the corporal of the Guard had the key. Never was any bugle call even late, We had a large clock and You used found finger to activate a bell that could be heard at the player location and once that rang right on the minute whatever bugle call was being played could them Be heard.
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I never had a favorite bugle call but the one that effected me the most was Taps, I remember being an Army Brat and living on the base both in Germany and in the States. I used to listen to it at night but it never hit me like it did after a I came back from Vietnam. I used to lay in my rack at night and hear Taps and then I would remember all the guys I knew who didn't come back and the ones I didn't know too and I would cry. I still can't listen to it with out crying and its been 50 yrs since I came back and 31 yrs since I retired. The best rendition was by a young lady who plays the full version on a trumpet. I believe her name is Melissa Andre Rieu, when I heard her played taps it made me cry even more. Who ever says grown men don't cry has never list any friends or family.
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LTC Stephen F.
Melissa Venema (17) plays live Il Silenzio at Carré Amsterdam
Melissa Venema (17) plays live Il Silenzio at Carré Amsterdam with the Metropole orchestra on March 31 2013.
Thank you, for responding PO1 Richard Nyberg and letting us know that the bugle call from the Civil Way known as Taps brings back poignant memories and brings tears to your eyes.
Melissa Venema (17) plays live Il Silenzio at Carré Amsterdam with the Metropole orchestra on March 31 2013.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=253aGgk7NSE
FYI LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SFC William Farrell SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SSgt Brian Brakke 1stSgt Eugene Harless SSG William Jones SSG Diane R.
Melissa Venema (17) plays live Il Silenzio at Carré Amsterdam with the Metropole orchestra on March 31 2013.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=253aGgk7NSE
FYI LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SFC William Farrell SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SSgt Brian Brakke 1stSgt Eugene Harless SSG William Jones SSG Diane R.
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MAJ (Join to see)
As an Advanced Trumpet player I know of her well. She is Amazing!...When I was in Afghanistan, when they would load all the European casualties on the planes, there was an extended version of Taps, that was an excerpt from Il Silenzio (The Silence)...everyone on or near the Aircraft or in the ceremony..stopped and listened...a point of sincere reflection and a reminder why we were there...always brings out emotion..no matter what flag is on the casket.
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I liked all the ones I heard at that advanced field baker class at Ft Lee. Tattoo was a nice call, (done before taps).
On a pole right by our build’g was a speaker and one could hear the calls clearly.. I would crack the balcony door open so it could be heard inside better..
Once tattoo and taps was done, I’d secure the door again . And go back to my room.. “Hey Herrst if you like that so much.. crossover.!”...I’d hear them yelling from the bay.. I was only there 30 Tng days.. by time weekends and holidays were thrown in.. a little over a month..
On a pole right by our build’g was a speaker and one could hear the calls clearly.. I would crack the balcony door open so it could be heard inside better..
Once tattoo and taps was done, I’d secure the door again . And go back to my room.. “Hey Herrst if you like that so much.. crossover.!”...I’d hear them yelling from the bay.. I was only there 30 Tng days.. by time weekends and holidays were thrown in.. a little over a month..
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you, for responding, my friend SSgt Boyd Herrst and letting me know that Tattoo brings back great memories for you.
Tattoo (Bugle Call)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7w_ZqF2wpU
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown 1stSgt Eugene Harless SCPO Morris Ramsey SSgt Robert Marx SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber SGT Michael Thorin Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson SP5 Robert Ruck CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SSgt Brian Brakke MSgt David Hoffman
Tattoo (Bugle Call)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G7w_ZqF2wpU
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) LTC Ivan Raiklin, Esq. Capt Seid Waddell Capt Tom Brown 1stSgt Eugene Harless SCPO Morris Ramsey SSgt Robert Marx SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber SGT Michael Thorin Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson SP5 Robert Ruck CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SSgt Brian Brakke MSgt David Hoffman
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LTC Stephen F.
Provided to YouTube by The Orchard Enterprises General Quarters · The Sun Harbor Chorus Bugle Calls of America 1996 Documentary Recordings Released on: 200...
Thank you for responding CAPT Hiram Patterson and making us aware that your favorite bugle call is "General Quarters the way the Navy did many years ago."
Here is General Quarters per your suggestion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6w6xTAtXcA
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SSgt Brian Brakke 1stSgt Eugene Harless CPT Scott Sharon SSG William Jones
Here is General Quarters per your suggestion.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a6w6xTAtXcA
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SSgt Brian Brakke 1stSgt Eugene Harless CPT Scott Sharon SSG William Jones
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LTC Stephen F.
Navy Bugle Calls (1964) Part I
Alphabetically, from Abandon Ship thru Flight Quarters, aka Boots and Saddles, these are the first 36 of the 107 Navy calls in the 1964 recording of all the ...
Here is Part 1 of Navy Bugle Calls (1964)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sj3fKn-4vzU
FYI PO2 Jeffery Marcussen Sr LTJG Robert M. CAPT (Join to see) PO3 (Join to see) PO2 Jonathan Scharff LCDR (Join to see) CMC Robert Young
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sj3fKn-4vzU
FYI PO2 Jeffery Marcussen Sr LTJG Robert M. CAPT (Join to see) PO3 (Join to see) PO2 Jonathan Scharff LCDR (Join to see) CMC Robert Young
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LTC Stephen F.
Navy Bugle Calls (1964) Part II
35 more Navy bugle calls from 1964. Alphabetically, Forward March (Man The Drags) thru Motor Boat.
Here is part 2 of Navy Bugle Calls (1964) [Forward March (Man the Drags) through Motor Boat]
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua_h3FgGa3k
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ua_h3FgGa3k
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LTC Stephen F.
You are very welcome, my friend SGT Randal Groover - I came across these links while researching the answer to CAPT Hiram Patterson response.
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i have alwAys loved “To The Colors”. it gets the blood pumping and the pride up. Just my opinion yourmileage may vary.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you for responding Sgt Mike Jacobi and letting us know that you favorite bugle call is To the Colors. As many of us realize "To the Colors" follows right after the bugle call Retreat.
Here is Retreat and To the Colors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmJMLAGU9Nc
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SSgt Brian Brakke 1stSgt Eugene Harless CPT Scott Sharon SSG William Jones
Here is Retreat and To the Colors
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xmJMLAGU9Nc
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SSgt Brian Brakke 1stSgt Eugene Harless CPT Scott Sharon SSG William Jones
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As a Bugler, the ones that I really enjoyed playing were Tattoo and Call to Quarters. Both provided for more expressive playing and putting my self into the call. Taps was difficult because crying made it hard.
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you for responding Sgt John Koliha and letting us know that as a USMC musician bugler the favorite bugle calls for you are Tattoo and Call to Quarters.
Call to Quarters Version 1 (as written in Marine Corps Band Manual)
https://www.marineband.marines.mil/Portals/175/Docs/Audio/Ceremonial/call_to_quarters_version_1.mp3
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SSgt Brian Brakke 1stSgt Eugene Harless CPT Scott Sharon CPT Jack Durish
Call to Quarters Version 1 (as written in Marine Corps Band Manual)
https://www.marineband.marines.mil/Portals/175/Docs/Audio/Ceremonial/call_to_quarters_version_1.mp3
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SSgt Brian Brakke 1stSgt Eugene Harless CPT Scott Sharon CPT Jack Durish
call_to_quarters_version_1.mp3
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LTC Stephen F.
Mess Call is sounded for the U.S. Corps of Cadets prior to lunch formation at The United States Military Academy, West Point, NY.
Thank you for responding SSG Carl Gamel and letting us know that your favorite bugle call is Mess Call [AKA Chow Call] which is one of the shortest bugle calls at 11 seconds.
Here is a recording from my Alma Mater in 2016
Mess Call is sounded for the U.S. Corps of Cadets prior to lunch formation at The United States Military Academy, West Point, NY.
https://youtu.be/av0KwEhfbEE
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SSG John Ross SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SSgt Brian Brakke 1stSgt Eugene Harless CPT Scott Sharon
Here is a recording from my Alma Mater in 2016
Mess Call is sounded for the U.S. Corps of Cadets prior to lunch formation at The United States Military Academy, West Point, NY.
https://youtu.be/av0KwEhfbEE
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. LTC (Join to see) Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Maj Marty Hogan SCPO Morris Ramsey SSG John Ross SGT Mark Halmrast Sgt Randy Wilber Sgt John H. SGT Gregory Lawritson CPL Dave Hoover SPC Margaret Higgins SSgt Brian Brakke 1stSgt Eugene Harless CPT Scott Sharon
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I heard to the colors and retreat most on our AF bases... Taps at funerals and Memorial svcs when serving Honor Guard..
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you for responding my friend SSgt Boyd Herrst which bugle call is your favorite or most significant to you?
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I am still serving as bugler to various Honor Guards. I have sounded Taps at hundreds of funerals over the past 35 plus years since I re-enlisted in the Army Reserve at age 47. Summers I teach young Scouts to be buglers and sound appropriate calls during the day and evening. One of my buglers is a trumpet player with the Marine Band. I have sounded Taps at many national Cemetery and overseas cemeteries. My more interesting Bugle Call was Officers Call for joint British and zAmerican Marine wedding of a British Major to my cousin as they formed the sword arch
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LTC Stephen F.
Thank you my friend 1LT Peter Duston for responding. I had hoped you would weigh in on this discussion since I know you are a bugler of note.
I am glad to learn that you "teach young Scouts to be buglers and sound appropriate calls during the day and evening."
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC John Shaw SMSgt Lawrence McCarter Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D SPC Michael Terrell Cpl Vic Burk TSgt David L. TSgt Joe C. SSG Bill McCoy SP5 Gary Nelson SGT Herbert Bollum Cpl (Join to see)
I am glad to learn that you "teach young Scouts to be buglers and sound appropriate calls during the day and evening."
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC John Shaw SMSgt Lawrence McCarter Maj Bill Smith, Ph.D. MAJ Dale E. Wilson, Ph.D. Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen Lt Col Charlie Brown SPC Michael Duricko, Ph.D SPC Michael Terrell Cpl Vic Burk TSgt David L. TSgt Joe C. SSG Bill McCoy SP5 Gary Nelson SGT Herbert Bollum Cpl (Join to see)
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1LT Peter Duston
I have been moved by many bugle calls but there was one summer at scout camp that sticks with me. At the end of each week at Camp Roosevelt, we have a large campfire for all. The council fire is on a slope next to our totally private wilderness lake with a mountain on the opposite bank. We close the ceremony withTaps. I arrange echo Taps by my bugling merit badge class arranging the 3 - 7 scout buglers in the woods behind the assembled scouts in a large semicircle from shore on the right to the shore on the left - great effect. That one night, one of the bugler hiked around the lake to the foot of the mountain on the other side which produces a magical echo. The scouts played masterfully and as the Taps moved around the circle, the effect and emotion was powerful enough but when that Taps echoed across the lake, it brought a tear to
my eye and I remembered SFC Gerry Scott in an unknown grave in North Korea having gone missing during theKorean War. Gerry taught me to play Taps when I was a12 year old scout so I could be the troop bugler. That first Taps was 70 years ago!!
my eye and I remembered SFC Gerry Scott in an unknown grave in North Korea having gone missing during theKorean War. Gerry taught me to play Taps when I was a12 year old scout so I could be the troop bugler. That first Taps was 70 years ago!!
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SPC Daniel Rankin
I played taps on my clarinet once because a trumpet was not available, I used the lower keys and the folorn sound as it drifted off across the cemetary was something else, Not like a trumpet would do, but it sent tears down people faces and a chill down my spine.
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