Tattoo (bugle call)

Tattoo is a bugle call played in the evening in the United States Army and the British Army.

The original concept of this call was played on the snare drum and was known as "tap-too," with the same rule applying. Later on, the name was applied to more elaborate military performances, known as military tattoos.

United States Army

In the United States Army, the tattoo signals that all light in squad rooms be extinguished and that all loud talking and other disturbances be discontinued within 15 minutes, at which time Taps should follow. At 28 bars long Tattoo is recognized as longest bugle call in the repertoire of the United States Army.

British Army

The tattoo in the British Army is used to recall soldiers back to their barracks. The call lasts twenty minutes and begins with First Post and ends with Last Post.

See also

• Military tattoo