Bugle and trumpet calls of the Mexican Armed Forces

Last updated February 25, 2025

The Mexican Armed Forces have a number of bugle and trumpet calls for the different branches. Drums and bugles are used to signal the various calls for most units of the Army, Navy and Air Force while the cavalry trumpet is used to signal calls for the cavalry units of the Army, Army artillery units and the Air Force. Many of the calls and signals listed below are also used by civilian drum and bugle bands.

All-forces calls

Attention - signals the unit to stand at attention, also signals the end of flag raising and lowering
At Ease
Slope Arms - signals the unit to slope arms
Present Arms - signals the unit to present arms
Order Arms - signals the unit to order arms
Port Arms
Sling Arms
Unsling Arms
Ground Arms
Fix Bayonets
Remove Bayonets
Drumbeat pace/Marchpast pace
Accelerated/double pace
Honor March (Marcha de Honor) - performed in the presence of the President of Mexico and the National Defense Secretary/Assistant Secretary. It is played to accompany the National Anthem of Mexico or played as a stand-alone march
Salute to the Flag (Toque de Bandera) - performed during flag raising and lowering ceremonies and marches of honor commemorating the Flag of Mexico. Like the Marcha de Honor, played to the accompaniment of the National Anthem of Mexico or as a stand-alone march.
NCO's and Enlisted Arrival - Signals the arrival of NCO's and enlisted personnel
Officers Arrival - Signals the arrival of officers
Arrival of Honor - Signals the arrival of the guest of honor
Bands/Musicians Arrival - Signals the arrival of the military band
Buglers Arrival - Played by the drums and bugles to signal their arrival

Branch calls

Mexican Army

The Mexican Army uses 129 bugle calls. Most are played by drummers and buglers in the infantry bands and the engineers. The remainders are played by trumpeters of the cavalry and artillery.

Infantry calls

Alarm
Infantry
Column
Sections/Squads
Companies
Battalion
Cease Firing
Lines
Listing
Reunion
Regiment
Platoons
Medic

Cavalry and armored branch calls

Marcha Dragona (Dragoons March)
Regiment
Veterinarian visit
Charge
At the Gallop
Shoulder, Saber
Order Saber
Cavalry
Squadrons
Troops
Platoon
Water
At the Trot
Walk March
Start Engine
Mount Horse/Vehicle
Dismount Horse/Vehicle
Load Ammunition

Artillery calls

Battery
Artillery
Gunners
Center
Counter March
Close cannon
Close Mounting
Carriages Column
Discharge
Distance
Battery Fire
On Batteries
On Discharge
Dismount from vehicles
Mount vehicles
Intervals
Lines
Lines of Columns
Artillery March
Auxiliaries' Arrival
Groups
Start Engines

Mexican Navy

Drum and bugle calls are always performed by the Mexican Navy's drum and bugle bands, whether aboard ships or on land.

Ship Batteries
Flotilla
Marines on board
Sailors on board
Fleet
Squadron
Flag Officers' arrival
Gun Salute
Ship Companies
Naval Artillery
Battle Stations

Mexican Air Force

Drum and bugle calls of the Mexican Air Force are used on the ground on airbases.

Group
Wing
Squadron
Medic
Flight