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.
What is the number of steps
per minute for Marching or Running?
Marching is done at 120 steps per
minute. Running is at 180 steps per minute.
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.
