FAQ

What is Cadence?
Cadence calls are songs (usually delivered in an eight count movement) that the military sing when marching or running. The songs require a Caller, who normally sets the pace and leads the formation. The caller starts and ends the line on his left foot. The formation then repeats the line, starting and ending on the left foot. If everything goes well, the caller and the formation develop a sort of rapport. The effect can be mesmerizing. The way a unit sounds while running or marching tends to reflect on that unit’s morale and leadership.

Why do you sing cadence?
There are a few reasons. When the entire unit is bopping to the same sheet of music, everyone stays in step. That looks good, and you don’t have people tripping over someone else’s feet. Breathing is another reason. If you are forced to exhale by singing, you will also be forced to inhale when you are not singing. Motivation is the third reason. Calls that are humorous or have a plot can make soldiers stop thinking about the cold and rain, or how much their feet hurt.

Why do you call some cadence calls Jodies?

Nobody really knows. A recurring character in cadence calls is a person named Jodie. Jodie is known as the man or woman who is having fun at home while you are sweating in the field. Refer to Cadence History for more information.

Who are you? Why did you create this page?

[Current Version]This site is now hosted by Topsarge Business Solutions.

[2006 and before Version] Im a Software Developer for a media solutions company.
I’m also an 11B Infantryman in A Co. 1-114th [M] INF New Jersey Army National Guard. I created this page with 5 jodies back in 1996. Since then, it has grown and developed a readership of thousands. I’ve gotten mail from West Point Cadets and Chinese Soldiers. Back in 1999, the page was forgotten while I got married and bought a house. But now, things are a lot calmer, and I’m ready to upload again.

Do you accept jodies from other services? How about Police/ATF/FBI?
A few years ago I learned something: Every branch is needed to get the job done. The average Marine can’t beat up the average Army Grunt. A Ranger can’t outrun a Navy SEAL while carrying a weight set. You can laugh and joke about it, but I know that my best friend in the whole world is that A-10 Air Force pilot… and the 30 Airmen supporting him… and the Navy Crew who brough over the missiles… and the Marines who guarded the ship…and so on.
Yes, I’ll take a jodie from any branch. If you are from the Police, feel free to send it too.

I’m not in the military. Can I submit a jodie?
Sure. This site is for the enjoyment of all. If you are military, brush up on some jodies before you go out on that PT run. It will make you look good and the troops feel good. If you are a civilian, I won’t hold that against you. Feel free to absorb the culture of the military. Some jodies are dated. You will hear references to Communism and c-rats. That just reflects the history of the army. Speaking of history, since jodies began in the 1940′s, I don’t keep cadence from the Civil War. if you are looking for jodies from the Civil War, try an excellent site: Poetry and music of the War Between the States..

I have a pair of boots/uniforms/something to sell. Can you put it on your page?
Sure, just go to the submit section and put in a request.

Can I link your page to mine?
If you would like to link your page to mine, please use the boot logo below. Also remember that (as far as I can tell), none of these calls are copyrighted. If you get something out of a book, please tell me which book so I can credit the jodie. Lastly, if anything is copywrited, or you made something up that someone else submitted, please e-mail me. We’ll try to work it out.

What’s this thing you have against AOLers / Cadets / Officers?
AOlers need no expalining. If you were on USENET back in 1996, you’ll understand.

Cadets don’t seem to have an original thought in their heads. Plus, they don’t know when to chill out. Hey, guys, a piece of advice: why run when you can walk, why walk when you can sit, why sit when you can lie down?Telling soldiers to take off their polypro becuase not everyone has one doesn’t make you uniform, it makes you cold. Look out for the welfare of your soldiers first, and the grade on you green scorecard second.

No, I like officers, I think every E-7 should own one.