Fort Jackson adjusts bugle call schedule

By Wallace McBride, Fort Jackson LeaderFebruary 21, 2013

FORT JACKSON, S.C. -- Fort Jackson has revised its bugle call schedule for 2013.

"After receiving various observations and recommendations from both units and other post residents, the garrison adjusted the bugle calls to add consistency and predictability," said Fort Jackson Garrison Commander Col. Michael Graese. "We were able to quickly implement these changes because of a recent software upgrade to Fort Jackson's Big Voice system."

Graese said these revisions were prompted by "ICE comments and other forms of recommendations from Team Jackson."

Bugle calls are musical signals that announce events on an Army installation. Since the Revolutionary War, the Army has used the sound of the bugle to communicate scheduled and non-scheduled events to Soldiers. During the week, the sound of the bugle is heard at Fort Jackson fourteen times a day to signal troops for everything from meal times and recall formations, to rendering honors to the nation.

In the early years of the nation's independence, each arm and branch of the Army developed its own set of sound signals, such as drum beats in the infantry and bugle calls in the cavalry and artillery. In a time before radios, bugle calls were the most efficient way for commanders to communicate orders on the battlefield. These musical instruments were also used at camp, though, to help Soldiers keep track of scheduled activities.

As the Army developed over the next century, bugle calls were used to unite Soldiers and families as towns were gradually established near forts. The bugle was essential to all military communication until electronic messaging made it obsolete.

The primary bugler was assigned to the headquarters staff and kept close to the commander at the front. Soldiers were quick to learn the calls of the bugle, and on a routine day, at least four, and as many as 10, were made.

Today, these bugle calls are electronic recordings projected over loudspeakers to everyone on post, but traditionally, Soldiers would play a bugle to announce the daily schedule.

Fort Jackson's new bugle call schedule:

Monday-Saturday

5:55 a.m. First Call

6 a.m. Reveille

7 a.m. Assembly (remove road blocks)

7:15 a.m. Mess Call (morning)

Noon Mess Call (noon)

1 p.m. Assembly

4:50 p.m. Recall

4:55 p.m. Assembly

5 p.m. Retreat

5:30 p.m. Mess Call (evening)

8 p.m. Tattoo

8:45 p.m. Call to Quarters

9 p.m. Taps

Sunday and Holidays

7:55 a.m. First Call

8 a.m. Reveille

3:55 p.m. Assembly

4 p.m. Retreat

8 p.m. Tattoo

8:45 p.m. Call to Quarters

9 p.m. Taps