cadence calls
Troops' rhythmic songs
Cadence calls are rhythmic chants used to coordinate marching troops, keeping soldiers in step while building unit cohesion and morale.
A leader calls out a line and the group responds in unison, the call-and-response pattern setting a steady pace for running or marching.
Military cadences often feature dark humor, boasts about toughness, or complaints about army life.
The drill sergeant's cadence calls echoed across the parade ground.
The tradition has spread to athletic training and team sports.
- drillHole-boring device
- drill instructorMilitary trainer of recruits
- military trainingArmed forces preparation
- basic trainingInitial military instruction
- chantRepetitive rhythmic phrase
tempo · march · left right · work song · exercise · rhythm · cohesion · beat · running · sound off · tradition · spirituals · bonding · team spirit · morale · ritual · sergeant · oral history
- military drillsrifle drills, marching, about face, at ease, forward march
- military slangFUBAR, hoorah, devil dog, SNAFU, GI
- military songswar songs, marching songs, military marches, drill songs, battle hymns
- military traditionssalute, 21-gun salute, saluting, salutes, honor guard
- marching activitiesmarching bands, drill teams, color guard, flag corps, drill routines
- patriotic musicnational anthem, patriotic songs, The Star-Spangled Banner, patriotic music, God Save the Queen
cadence callsvisual cues
Seen indicators
hand signals · flag signals · drum cadence · metronome · whistle signals
cadence, call, calls, cadences, cadenced, calling, called, caller, callers