Scouting/BSA/Bugling Merit Badge

The requirements to this merit badge are copyrighted by the Boy Scouts of America. They are reproduced in part here under fair use as a resource for Scouts and Scouters to use in the earning and teaching of merit badges. The requirements published by the Boy Scouts of America should always be used over the list here. If in doubt about the accuracy of a requirement, consult your Merit Badge Counselor.

Reading this page does not satisfy any requirement for any merit badge. Per National regulations, the only person who may sign off on requirements is a Merit Badge Counselor, duly registered and authorized by the local Council. To obtain a list of registered Merit Badge Counselors, or to begin a Merit Badge, please contact your Scoutmaster or Council Service Center.

Note: A bugle, trumpet, or cornet may be used to meet these requirements.

Boy Scout Troop 14 Bugler

Requirement 1

Give a brief history of the bugle.

Requirement 2

Do the following:

A. Explain and demonstrate how the bugle makes sound, and explain how the bugle is related to other brass wind instruments.

B. Compose a bugle call for your troop or patrol to signal a common group activity, such as assembling for mealtime or striking a campsite. Play the call that you have composed before your unit or patrol.

Requirement 3 & 4

Requirement 3: Sound the following bugle calls: “First Call,” “Reveille,” “Assembly,” “Mess,” “Drill,” “Fatigue,” “Officers,” “Recall,” “Church,” “Swimming,” “Fire,” “Retreat,” “To the Colors,” “Call to Quarters,” and “Taps.” Requirement 4: Explain when each of the calls in requirement 3 is used.

Bugle Call	Score	Audio File	When Call is Used
First Call:	Bugle Calls First Call		Used to signal the time to line up or get in formation for some activity.
Reveille:	Bugle Calls Reveille		Used as a wake up call. In the U.S. Army it is played while raising the flag.
Assembly:	Bugle Calls Assembly		Signals a call to formation or assembly in a designated spot.
Mess:	Bugle Calls Mess		Used to announce "time to eat."
Drill:	Bugle Calls Drill Call		Signals that it's time to assemble for a specific prearranged activity.
Fatigue:	Bugle Calls Fatigue	Fatigue call (Audio)	A call to perform a work duty. In the military, fatigue duty refers work that does not require arms and derives from work done while wearing fatigues.
Officers:	Bugle Calls Officers Call		Used to call all officers or leaders together
Recall:	Bugle Calls Recall		Signals an end to current activities and time to regroup.
Church:	Bugle Calls Church Call		Signals that worship services are about to begin. May also be used to announce the formation of a funeral escort.
Swimming:	Bugle Calls Swimming Call	Swimming call (Audio)	Signals the start of a swimming period
Fire:	Bugle Calls Fire		Announces an uncontained fire in the vicinity; can also be used for a fire drill. Can also be used as an alarm for another form of danger.
Retreat:	Bugle Calls Retreat		Signals the end of the day. Also known as the Sunset call. Usually played right before To the Colors.
To the Colors:	Bugle Calls To The Colors		A salute to the flag. It is used during raising or lowering. It is used in ceremonies requiring honors to the nation more than once after the national anthem of the United States.
Call to Quarters:	Bugle Calls Call To Quarters		Signals it's time to get ready for bed.
Taps:	Bugle Calls Taps		Taps is played to indicate it's "light's out" and time for bed. Scouts often use it at the close of a camp or campfire. Taps has also evolved to be played at dusk, during flag ceremonies, and congress has designated that all veterans are entitled to a bugler at their funerals. When there is a lack of a bugler available, congress now allows a taped bugle. When you are good at your bugle playing, you can volunteer to wear your uniform and play at a funeral for one of American's veterans via Bugles Across America!

Requirement 5

Explain how to care for, clean, and maintain a bugle.

Requirement 6

Serve as bugler in your troop for three months.

External links

• Bugling Merit Badge with Workbook PDF, current requirements, and resources.
• YouTube video playlist of bugle calls for the BSA merit badge
• ScoutBugle.com a website dedicated to those who would like to learn more about bugling
• Care and Maintenance of Brass Instruments