First call


"First Call" is a bugle call with three distinct meanings.

U.S. military use

At a U.S. military installation it is a pre-reveille "courtesy" signal, sounded around 05:50, originally to assemble the trumpeters to deliver the reveille that would be forthcoming at 06:00. Some locations also sound it a few minutes before "Retreat". In other military contexts it may be used prior to sounding "Assembly" for any particular formation.

Navy use

On ships of the U.S. Navy, "First Call" is sounded at 0755, five minutes ahead of "Morning Colors", and 5 minutes before "Evening Colors". In the absence of a bugle, the word is passed, "First call, first call to colors." The same ceremony takes place on shore establishments but not on ships underway.

Horse racing

At a horse race, it is a signal that all mounts should be at the paddock exit in order to proceed to the track to begin the post parade. It started to be used at horse races earlier than 1860s. The tune is usually sounded by a bugler five to ten minutes before the scheduled start time of the race. The call serves a similar purpose in dog racing. When "First call" is used for this purpose, it is usually referred to the "Call to the Post".

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