Count Cadence - COUNT

[dglockster]

Has cadence changed much?

During both Basic Training and Advanced Individual Training in the U.S. Army (as well as in the lesser armed services;)), it is customary when moving a group of troops from Point A to Point B to move them smartly and in a military manner. In other words they are marched, in prescribed 30-inch steps, from Point A to Point B.

Training in how to march in step is started upon the trainees’ arrival at the reception center and is continued throughout the military career of the troops. However, the training is never as intense as it is in Basic Training.

Most of you have experienced the technique called “cadence” that is used to teach marching in step. To start the cadence, the NCO who is moving the trainees explains what is to happen and then starts the training process by calling out:

Count Cadence – COUNT (when the left heel hits the ground)

In September, 1968 when I arrived in the reception center at Fort Polk, LA, and from there to First Battalion, Company A, 1st platoon, or A-1-1, the NCOs were calling out cadences such as:

Your left!
Your left!
Your military left!

Hup (left)
toop (right)
threep
fourah

Hup
toop
threep
fourah

Your left!
Your left!
Your military left!

From that pattern the NCOs (usually Drill Sergeants), in a sing-song tone of voice, would begin a chant similar to the ones below. The chant, worded to keep the troops in step, was echoed back by the troops as they marched. Some of you will know these “songs” as well as other such songs.

Every where we go-o
People want to know-o
Who we are
Where we come from
So we tell them
We are Alpha (this is just the company designation, in this example, Company A)
Lean, mean Alpha
Rough, tough Alpha
Arrrrgh

Am I right or wrong?
You’re RIGHT!

Tell me loud and strong.
You’re RIGHT!

SOUND off!
1 – 2

SOUND off!
3 – 4

Bring it on down!

1
2
3
4

1 – 2

3
4

Your left!
Your left!
Your left, right, left

Standin’ tall and lookin’ good now.
Oughta be in Hollywood now.

Am I right or wrong?
You’re RIGHT!

Tell me loud and strong.
You’re RIGHT!

SOUND off!
1 – 2

SOUND off!
3 – 4

Bring it on down

1
2
3
4

1 – 2

3
4

Your left!
Your left!
Your military left!

I wanna live a life of danger,
I wanna be an airborne Ranger,
I wanna to go to Viet Nam! (can be any hot spot)
I wanna kill the Charlie Cong! (can be slang for any enemy)

Am I right or wrong?
You’re RIGHT!

Tell me loud and strong.
You’re RIGHT!

SOUND off!
1 – 2

SOUND off!
3 – 4

Bring it on down

1
2
3
4

1 – 2

3
4

Your left!
Your left!
Your military left!

Hup
toop
threep
fourah

Hup
toop
threep
fourah

Your left!
Your left!
Your military left!

Your daddy was home when you - left.
Your right.

Your momma was home when you - left
Your right.

Susie was home when you - left.
Your right.

Jody was home when you - left.
Your right.

Jody’s with Susie now that your - left.
Your right!

SOUND off!
1 – 2

SOUND off!
3 – 4

and so on and so forth until Point B was reached.

There are hundreds of variations of the marching cadences and to hear a company or even a platoon coming through calling cadence is sound well worth hearing.

[16vmkII]

WTF are you talking about? :supergrin:

[Sam White]

I went to Basic in 2002 and heard all of the same stuff.:thumbsup:

[justinhcannon]

All through high school and college ROTC there were cadences. In Basic Training, Infantry School and Airborne school, there were cadences. In Regimental Indoctrination Program (for the 75th Ranger Regiment), there was no cadence...just yelling.
In the Rangers there was no cadence whatsoever. When I asked why, I always received the same responses:
1. "The rest of the Army does that."
2. "We're not like the rest of the Army."
3. "If you have enough breath to sing, you ain't runnin' hard enough."

and their all time favorite...
4. "All those songs are about wanting to be Airborne Rangers. Now you are one. Nothing much left to sing about now, is there?"

[xxiv]

Originally posted by justinhcannon
All through high school and college ROTC there were cadences. In Basic Training, Infantry School and Airborne school, there were cadences. In Regimental Indoctrination Program (for the 75th Ranger Regiment), there was no cadence...just yelling.
In the Rangers there was no cadence whatsoever. When I asked why, I always received the same responses:
1. "The rest of the Army does that."
2. "We're not like the rest of the Army."
3. "If you have enough breath to sing, you ain't runnin' hard enough."

and their all time favorite...
4. "All those songs are about wanting to be Airborne Rangers. Now you are one. Nothing much left to sing about now, is there?"

So true. Cadence is gay.

[Jammer Six]

That's okay. I know at least two ex-Rangers who are gay, and at least a dozen who merely think they's straight.

[justinhcannon]

:nutcheck:

lol, you rat bastard.

[Jammer Six]

Am I going to have to come down there and MAKE you count cadence?

:animlol:

[justinhcannon]

LOL...maybe I'll just make a phone call to Ft. Lewis and let the 2nd Batt boys meet you there.

[deadday]

(one of our drills was a Vietnam vet)
See the sampan on the stream,
Drop some napalm, watch him scream,
Cuz napalm sticks to kids.


Left, right, RECON
Left, right, RECON

We like it here,
We love it here,
We've finally found a home,
A what?
A home, a home, a home away from home..

Etc..etc...Those were our sweet lullabys almost every night. Our SDS had a CD filled with lovely Cadence, and would start it at lights out and let it run..*shudders*


drew

[shawnt64]

wow not much has changed since 68. i think they leave the jody part out now since these kids try to kill theirselves when they find that one out. got out of basic in feb 07

[deadday]

Originally posted by shawnt64
wow not much has changed since 68. i think they leave the jody part out now since these kids try to kill theirselves when they find that one out. got out of basic in feb 07



I wonder, what shes doin now
I wonder, if shes home alone
If shes on the phone


You mean like those ;-)



drew