Echo Taps

Echo Taps is a tradition at American military schools, such as Norwich University, The Citadel or Texas A&M University, and is played when a member or former member of a school's Corps of Cadets is killed in action.

At Norwich University, the ceremony is held on the Upper Parade Ground, where the Corps of Cadets forms up silently at 2245 (10:45) for tattoo, and then stand in silence until 2300 (11:00) when echo taps is played, at which time unit commanders will tacitly give the commands of attention and present arms. The Regimental Bugler stands either near the flagpole in front of Jackman Hall or on Jackman's balcony and plays the main tune of Taps. The echoing bugler will stand on the steps of Dewey Hall facing the Parade Ground and echo each series of notes. Following the playing of taps, the Corps of Cadets dismisses in silence.

At Texas A&M, Echo taps is held on the Quadrangle (the 12-dorm complex that is used mainly by the Corps) at 10:00 the night they find out.For the ceremony the Corps falls out and forms up along the length of the quad, a bugler is posted at the megaphone on the south end and another is at the arches on the north end, cadets salute and the bugler on the south end plays the first 3 notes of Silver Taps the bugler on the north end echoes, the bugler on the south end plays the next 3 notes and is echoed for the rest of the song. Cadets then return to their dorms.