reveille

Reveille is a bugle call used as the wake-up signal for military personnel at daybreak. Historically played on a bugle or trumpet, it serves to awaken troops and often marks the start of morning duties, formations, or roll calls. The term comes from the French réveil, meaning awakening. The tune and practice vary by country and service, but the purpose remains to announce the start of the day and reinforce routine and discipline.

In practice, Reveille is typically performed at sunrise on military installations, ships, and at some academies, sometimes alongside other signals such as colors or morning formations. The exact melody of Reveille differs among armed forces, with many variations developed over the 19th and 20th centuries. Despite these differences, the call functions as a tradition that has persisted across generations and services.

Beyond military use, the name Reveille has entered broader culture as a symbol of wakefulness and discipline. In the United States, it is associated with the Army and Air Force as the standard morning bugle call. The term also appears in campus and civic traditions; for example, Texas A&M University uses a live collie named Reveille as its official mascot, a long-standing tradition dating back to the early 20th century.