what time is reveille played on military bases
Taps is played every year during each of the military wreath ceremonies conducted at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. A bugle is a wind instrument thats shorter than a trumpet. This is the last call of the day. Your email address will not be published. ("Reveille" is often replaced by The Rouse, a bugle call commonly mistaken for "Reveille", although these are actually two different tunes.). From the time of their creation in the 1960s, General Mills Bugles were manufactured at a plant in West Chicago, Illinois, until that plants closure in 2017. One day in particular stands out. Do I need to stop and salute during Reveille? Personnel indoors should face the music's direction and stand at attention until its conclusion. [1], In Commonwealth Remembrance Day and Remembrance Sunday services, "The Last Post" begins the period of silent reflection, and "Reveille" ends it. (repeat) Because the time for the start of the duty day varies between bases, the commander designates the specified time for reveille. Reveille: 7 A.M. The morning bugle call, known as Reveille, was originally conducted as "Troop" in 1812 and was designed to muster the unit or for roll call, but as time passed it came to mark when the flag was raised in the morning and honors paid to it. It will sound at 5 P.M, which is typically the end of duty. Or-der-ly officer is on his round! Remain at attention saluting the flag until the national anthem has finished playing. Thanks for the reminder of their purposes and their possibilities! He saw me through every Culinary Creations: Gluten-Free Berry Muffins, A Place To Belong How the Library Supports Our Military Children. Drivers should stop, dismount, and render proper salute at the start of "Retreat" and "Reveille." He always finishes with taps a chilling, 24-note salute that is traditionally played by a lone bugler or trumpeter at funerals of U.S. military veterans. Retreat, along with reveille, is a ceremony worth witnessing, but even if you are unable to see either one, chances are that at some time you will hear the music. To ensure we are all observing the proper customs and courtesies, here are some guidelines everyone should know: Reveille and "To the Colors" will be played at 7 Reveille is a bugle call that is used in military camps and bases to signal the start of the day's activities. You know what's going on at this point. Those things are not to be taken for granted, but I think that theres another valuable lesson to be learned from the way that these bugle calls are implemented. The day at most frontier outposts ended with a parade of the entire command around the central field. According to the Federation of American Scientists Military Analysis Network website, multiple bugle calls were used throughout the day as an "authoritative system of calls to eliminate confusion experienced by the Union Army during the Civil War." 2 0 obj Of course, you cannot go wrong when checking out our package of information and guide, too, as they come from reliable sources and years of experience. At Fort Gordon, "Reveille" is played at 6:30 a.m. to signify the beginning of the work day, and "Retreat" is played at 5 p.m., followed by "To the Colors," signifying the end of the work day. The installation's colors are raised at those times, and all activity briefly stops. Commonwealth of Nations and the United States, Articles with unsourced statements from November 2014, Articles incorporating text from Wikipedia, Rendering Honor To The Flag (ArmyStudyGuide.com), http://www.army.gov.au/Our-history/Traditions/The-Rouse-and-the-Reveille, Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information. There is also a reveille for military band composed by Johann Heinrich Walch that is used as the reveille of the Swedish Armed Forces. Heres What To Do, What Not to Send in a Military Care Package? Military Email Etiquette. An individual scout unit may also sound reveille to rouse the scouts and scouters on a weekend trip, though this is less common. Every evening at 1700, Soldiers, Family Members, and Civilian Employees can see, hear, and participate in a ritual that honors our nation, while continuing a tradition as old as the US Army. It is typically played at daybreak, although the exact time may vary depending on the season and the location of the camp. Taps has been used by the U.S. armed forces ever since at the end of the day, during flag ceremonies and at military funerals. It signifies the end of the duty day, but more importantly, it honors those that have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Every day on a German Navy ship starts with a wake-up call, the purren, which is started by the Locken, a whistle from the boatswain's call given 5 minutes before the main wake-up call. Retreat has been used to signal the end of the duty day since the Revolutionary War, and the bugle call itself can be traced back to the time of the Crusades. Home | About | Contact | Copyright | Privacy | Cookie Policy | Terms & Conditions | Sitemap. At the first sound, people on base who are outdoors need to stop and face the direction that the music is coming from and stand at attention during the playing of reveille or retreat. Taps, on these occasions, is called the Echo Taps or Silver Taps. Technology has taken over many of tasks and communication typically associated with the sounds of the bugle, however; on nearly every permanent base, fort, post, or camp run by the United States military bugle calls are still used daily both as a functional and ceremonial device. Prior to the 1890s Soldiers were required to assemble for a final roll call at 2200 for Tattoo, but this practice, along with inspections on Sunday, ended when the Army made its first great effort to improve the quality of Soldiers lives. The first lines of the British Cavalry Reveille were for many years rendered as: Soldiers arise! Do you have to be in the military to play taps at a funeral? I am Everett Bledsoe, taking on the responsibility of content producer for The Soldiers Project. 2 : a bugle call at about sunrise signaling the first military formation of the day also : the formation so signaled. If you live near (within earshot of) a station, you will likely hear three sounds every day: a reveille, retreat, and taps. When George Washington first assumed command of the Continental Army in 1775, drums and bugles were already a fixture of military life. In the Royal Navy, Reveille was usually verbalised as: An alternate rendition to the U.S. tune above: Irving Berlin cited the lyrics in part of his song, "Oh How I Hate to Get Up in the Morning"; from the musical, This Is the Army: Reveille and Rouse are composed, like all bugle music, solely from the notes of the major triad, usually notated in C as: C, the tonic; E, the mediant; and G, the dominant. WebOn Sundays, the church call was added to the daily schedule. When do I come to attention and salute the flag? .>g*Si`)i ? se:laK|En\sg~R ff_o(bW*TrwUep'%jlg_:CLr C@j(*+U. Both serve Reveille is a bugle call which is played at either sunrise or the start of the duty day on military installations. On the first note, all military members (in uniform) will face the flag and stand at parade rest. The original concept of this call was played on the snare drum and was known as "tap-too", with the same rule applying. While every service member knows that the military has specific protocols to follow during reveille and retreat, the civilian population may be unaware of such rules. 4 0 obj Anyone who has spent time on a military installation knows that if its morning or late afternoon and trumpets blast through the speakers, traffic stops and salutes are smartly snapped in the direction of the flag. Unlike its cheery-sounding name, taps is largely associated with the deaths of military members and is played at military funerals. TATTOO - Signals that all lights in squad rooms be extinguished and that all loud talking and other disturbances be discontinued within 15 minutes. When a taps is called out in this way, there are no associating formal protocols. The tune used in the Commonwealth of Nations is different from the one used in the United States, but they are used in analogous ways: to ceremonially start the day. Retreat: 5 P.M. At the end of the work day, Retreat will sound. It derives its name from the French word, rveille, which literally means, wake up. Appropri, non? To be a fancy pants Marine; It is also sounded at the completion of a military funeral. To consider our personal or familial goals, and whether or not we are actively working to achieve them. What do I do if I'm driving at the time of Retreat? Base guidance is that personnel turn off any music playing in the vehicle. On this day at 11 am, Australians pause in silence for a minute to remember the bravery and sacrifice of the men and women who lost their lives while serving Australia and its allies in wars, conflicts and peacekeeping operations. [citation needed]. Military Queries, What Does V/R Mean in Military Email? For instance, work parties far from camp gathering forage for the horses knew to return to camp when they heard the call for Retreat. Thats the Taps! However, when they are newly bought, these boots can be very uncomfortable, making it hard to perform well in them. Mess Call to lunch ended the morning training. These small, lonely forts with garrisons of only one or two hundred Soldiers were often far from the nearest town. Check us out! If the commander desires, a reveille [Stats Included! Tens of thousands of people participated. Reveille is a bugle call that is used in military camps and bases to signal the start of the day's activities. Before committing to service, you should have all the information you need, and you get it by , In a meeting with a military recruiter, you will spend more time speaking and asking questions than actually listening, as it is a conversation for you to learn about military , Maria Bartiromo is a famous face on TV. FORT GORDON, Ga. (July 31, 2015) -- It's a sound that can be heard loud and clear from parts of the installation, yet some people in the closest proximity to its origin appear the most oblivious to it. It comes from the Low German word for rise. Stand at the position of attention until the firing of the cannon or the first note of "To the Color, then render a hand salute. ", Home of US Army Sustainment is now Fort Gregg-Adams, US Army kicks off Exercise Combined Resolve 18, Army's air assault division ushers in network paradigm for tomorrow's battlefield, Army Guard sniper team wins International Sniper Competition, Army lab provides expansive capabilities to entire DOD, H2F Symposium offers glimpse into future of Armys Holistic Health and Fitness System. Reveille: 7 A.M. The morning bugle call, known as Reveille, was originally conducted as "Troop" in 1812 and was designed to muster the unit or for roll call, but as time passed it came to mark when the flag was raised in the morning and honors paid to it. It stands on the top of a hill overlooking Washington DC. This also sends a message: silence is now expected in the camp. The best womens tactical boots shouldnt only offer protection but also extreme comfort , Every soldier in combat needs a pair of boots. An official website of the United States government. After reading this, these calls will forevermore make me stop and think about the ways I need to be more mindful on a daily basis. People traveling in vehicles or who are indoors are no exception. The Best Tactical Binoculars for Hunting, Surveillance And More. Cars stop, work pauses, games cease, while we render honors to the flag. But no matter how much we try to avoid it, situations like these will happen one way or , When youre hunting or surveying distant objects, it would be ideal to have a good pair of tactical binoculars. WebIf the base flies the U.S. flag continuously for 24-hours with only Reveille or Retreat played, but no action with the flag, individuals are not required to stop and salute. Also known as a burial or internment flag, this is the standard American flag that is used for retirement or memorial services of US veterans. Taps is played to mark the start of quiet hours on base, which is 9 p.m. What time is Reveille in the military? They stay in place even , There are so many different policies in the military that its hard to keep track. Listen to an example of the playing of taps at Arlington National Cemetery here. When in formation or a group, the senior Soldier present must call the group to "Attention," then "Parade Rest" on the first note of "Retreat." While the infantry and general reveille ran: Get out of bed, REVEILLE - Signals the Soldiers to awaken for morning roll call and accompanies the raising of the National Flag. At Fort Gordon, "Reveille" is played at 6:30 a.m. to signify the beginning of the work day, and "Retreat" is played at 5 p.m., followed by "To the Colors," signifying the end of the work day. In fact, the Department of Defense says a live bugler (military or civilian) should be sought before the use of a recording is authorized. WebA bugle call is a short tune, originating as a military signal announcing scheduled and certain non-scheduled events on a military installation, battlefield, or ship. What if I'm wearing my physical training uniform? Hopefully the Q&A below will help clear things up a bit. When Reeves is outside and sees someone ignoring the flag call, he approaches the person at the music's conclusion (if they are within earshot of him), introduces himself, and makes an on-the-spot correction by explaining what was supposed to happen; and he encourages others to do the same. ". It is played by a single trumpet or bugle. The four military members represented each branch of the U.S. military and assembled to show solidarity. The bugle calls you from your sleep; it is the break of day. But, the bugle sound can also be played at other times, on other occasions, like military funerals, military wreath ceremonies, Memorial Day, military school remembrance ceremonies, etc. "It deserves the proper attention," Reeves said. The best tactical belts are made of strong webbing and durable buckles. It is used to accompany lowering the National Flag. She strongly dislikes relaxing (where my ADHD ladies at?! Specically, on the rst note of the national anthem or To the Colors, members in uniform must render the hand salute. (Can you imagine?? By Chief Master Sgt. 0V jV,7|o;4c-)yPJ@I^a.~of3tx'4]M?r N07l v^P&|\*wU(H~GJL&|E] xWO[?Vg1_*b;eI 1|1|}q1 >&k[T;Un[AEN]0n{UXz#4A-h8< As this also signals the start of the physical training parade, for practical reasons, servicemen must awake prior to the sounding of reveille. Soldiers in formation: Execute the commands of the officer or non-commissioned officer in charge. Amazon, the Amazon logo, AmazonSupply, and the AmazonSupply logo are trademarks of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. On U.S. Army posts, the national flag is raised while reveille is played; on board U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard facilities, the flag is generally raised at 0800 (8 am) while the National Anthem or the bugle call "To the Colors" is played. On some U.S. military bases, reveille is accompanied by a cannon shot. Render a hand salute at the first note of "To the Colors," which plays immediately following "Retreat.". List of 8 Bases, What Happens if You Refuse a Military Draft? What do military bases play in the morning? During the sounding of taps, military members should salute and civilians should take off their headgear, placing a hand over their heart. Spoiler alert, I was not. Have you ever heard people referencing the nations 24 mournful notes? They were used to assemble the leaders and to give marching orders to the camps. Reveille signifies the start of the duty day and is initiated with a bugle call, which is followed by the playing of To the Colors. Retreat signifies the end of the duty day and is a signal to pay respects. What to do while the vehicle is at a complete stop differs among the services. Fortunately, the DEP meaning military is rather , Joining the military is not a decision you can make on a whim. To make space in the craziness of our lives for a little peace. A bugler is a person who plays the bugle. The Premier Installation In The Department Of Defense, By Chief Master Sgt. The only differences are they should remove headgear and place their right hand over their heart. 1 : a signal to get up mornings. "'Reveille' and 'Retreat' really allow you to pause for a moment, and not only present honors to the flag and what it means, but it also reminds us of the Soldiers that came before us that have gotten us to the place we're at now," Reeves said. What if we made time, at regular intervals, to stop and check in with family or friends. What to Wear to Military Swearing-in Ceremony & What Not to Wear? Not in uniform: Do not salute if you are not in uniform. This set of words by Horace Lorenzo Trim is the most famous accompaniment: Taps is one of three tunes sounded throughout the day at a military base, installation, etc. Reveille. Today, the 24 mournful notes comprising Taps are played to commemorate the memory of members of all five branches of the armed forces: the Army, the Navy, the Marine Corps, the Air Force, and the Coast Guard. The same music is played at military funerals. At Reveille and Taps, its music only as there are no flag/colors flying at those times, explained Lt. 6 a.m., Reveille: Signals the Soldiers to stand-to for morning roll call and accompanies the raising of the national colors. I wouldn't trade my old OD's What do I do when Retreat is played? The over 770-year-old Ceremony of the Keys is the ancient ceremonial ritual of locking and unlocking of the gates of the Tower of London. In 1874, Butterfields Taps became the U.S. Armys official bugle call. Retreat is played to mark the end of the duty day and precedes the playing of the national anthem. Yes. <> (Spirit of honesty and all that, you know.). ?). It is typically played at daybreak, although the exact time may vary depending on the season and the location of the camp. Household clocks were set by the bugle calls; one Army wife even used Assembly as the signal for the children to take their naps. CALL TO QUARTERS - Symbolically signals all Soldiers not authorized to be absent to return to their quarters for the night. Reveille Reveille is a bugle call which is played at either sunrise or the start of the duty day on military installations. What is 1645 in Military Time? Historically the bugle was used in the cavalry to relay instructions from officers to soldiers during battle. Air Force Installations & Mission Support Center. Since taps is a signal and not a song, there are no lyrics associated (officially). This call was historically sounded between 4:45 AM - and 6:00 AM - depending on the season. Throughout Joint Base San Antonio, you will hear Reveille at 5 a.m. daily at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, 5:30 a.m. at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston and 6:30 a.m. at JBSA-Randolph. It is typically followed by another bugle call, To The Colors, during which the American Flag is raised. On U.S. Army posts, the national flag is raised while reveille is played; on board U.S. Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard facilities, the flag is generally raised at 0800 (8 am) while the National Anthem or the bugle call "To the Colors" is played. The Best Tactical Belts for Any Tactical Situation, What Does Stop Loss Mean in the Military? The name comes from "rveill" (or "rveil"), the French word for "wake up". When you buy through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. When is the reveille played? During these times, all of us are required to afford the appropriate courtesies. Reveille is the signal for the start of the official duty day. ), making obscure 90s pop-culture references and embarrassing her family by singing waaaaay too loudly and confidently in proportion to actual skill. You can browse through our list of the thoroughly hand-picked series of gear that is military-complaint. Reeves believes it is more likely a matter of people being uncertain as to what they're supposed to do than it is a matter of disrespect. Come, wake yourself, rouse yourself out of your sleep Then, a salute is rendered at the first note of To the Colors, and held until the last note. When we think of our ag for example, all of us come together as Americans and reect on those values we hold dear: life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. 2023 FAQS Clear - All Rights Reserved The music may be played over the camp's intercom, or bugled or trumpeted by the camp bugler. Hence, besides the information that she shares, viewers pay attention to her appearance and what she wears. Whose Dog Tag is Maria Bartiromo Wearing? "When you break everything down, no matter what your job is in the Army, it all boils down to good order and discipline," Reeves said. Today, it is usually played from a recording. Last year, taps was played at 3 P.M on CBS News On The Road to honor the countrys fallen heroes. If driving on post, please safely and slowly stop your vehicle when Reveille begins. A bugler might be someone who plays the bugle as a hobby, but some buglers have an important job. Soldiers and veterans may render a hand salute rather than placing their hand over their heart. Do I need to stop and salute during Reveille? In uniform: When the Retreat music concludes, come to attention and render a salute when you hear the first note of the national anthem. So be up when he comes, be up when he comes. It requires the same courtesies as the National Anthem. Taps are played during military funerals. Drivers in vehicles during Reveille (when the ag is being raised), or Retreat, should pull the car to the side of the road and stop. Is Retreat played at battles end? (Time Converter Included), What Military Bases Are in Arizona? "Reveille," "Retreat," and "To the Colors" are types of bugle calls that date back to the Civil War era. To be thankful. FIRST CALL - Sounded as a warning for Soldiers to begin assembling for a formation. Get Up! Retreat and the national anthem are played daily at 5 p.m., even as a civilian or in civilian clothes, you should stop and face the flag or the music if walking and stop your vehicle safely if you are still in your vehicle. With a rifle on my shoulder, Those who do understand the protocol should step up by reminding others what to do. And thank goodness because after a decade of asking, like this?? The Last Post was used by British forces in North America in colonial times, but was replaced by the different Taps by the United States Army, first used in 1862 and officially recognized in 1874. Jose A. LugoSantiago, Air Force Installations & Mission Support Center, JOINT BASE SAN ANTNOIO-LACKLAND, Texas. And all the essential accessories are reviewed to support long-lasting maintenance. Proper military customs and courtesies apply while wearing the PTU during Retreat (attention and saluting). Upon hearing Taps at a military ceremony, proper protocol dictates those individuals in uniform render a salute until the music is complete. Naval bugle calls were also used to command the If in the physical fitness uniform, saluting during these ceremonies is not required, however, members are encouraged to do so if they desire. "Reveille" is a bugle call, trumpet call or pipes call most often associated with the military; it is chiefly used to wake military personnel at sunrise. Its present form was arranged by Brigadier General Daniel Butterfield (Union Army) in 1862. Reveille is played at 6:30 a.m. and Retreat is conducted at 5 p.m. each day on Fort During a military funeral, members of the Armed Forces are expected to wear their service dress uniform and be prepared to salute when: the hearse passes in front of them, anytime the flag-draped casket is moved, during the formal gun salute, during the playing of Taps and when the casket is lowered into the ground. What to do when reveille, retreat and taps is played on base Reveille is played at 6:30 a.m. and Retreat is conducted at 5 p.m. each day on Fort Leonard Wood. What is the highest form of military courtesy? REVEILLE - Signals the Soldiers to awaken for morning roll call and accompanies the raising of the National Flag. These ceremonies are also conducted annually on Memorial Day. What size flag is used for military funerals? Taps is played to mark the start of quiet hours on base, which is 9 p.m. The dog I didn't want but now love. Boy Scouts, Girl Scouts, and Girl Guides also sound taps to indicate the end of an evening event, like a campfire. The next time you hear Reveille or Retreat, go ahead do the right thing. To stop whatever were doing and focus on one thing. Retreat, followed by To the Colors, sounds at 5 p.m. on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday and 3 p.m. on Thursday. It is appropriate to take this action during any ceremony which involves the flag. In the U.S. military, Reveille is generally played at 7 A.M. as the morning bugle call. Taps is played at 2200. In addition to military funerals, wreath-laying and memorial services, Taps is also played in the evening at U.S. military bases. At the first note of Retreat and the national anthem, you should bring your moving vehicle safely to a complete stop as you would if an emergency vehicle were approaching and put the car in park. WebReveille: 7 A.M. The morning bugle call, known as Reveille, was originally conducted as "Troop" in 1812 and was designed to muster the unit or for roll call, but as time passed it Reveille comes from the French word rveiller or in English to to wake up. In 1812, U.S. forces designated the iconic melody to call service members to muster up for roll call to start the work day. Throughout Joint Base San Antonio, you will hear Reveille at 5 a.m. daily at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, 5:30 a.m. at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston and 6:30 a.m. at JBSA-Randolph. This signies the beginning of the duty day. The end of the duty day is announced with Retreat at 5:30 p.m. daily at all JBSA locations. Who Can Benefit From Diaphragmatic Breathing? <>>> As you have read, the answer to What time is taps played on military bases? is 10 P.M. Remove your hat with the right hand and hold it at the left shoulder while your right hand is over the heart. During half-day schedules Retreat is played at noon. TAPS - Signals that unauthorized lights are to be extinguished. I wouldn't give a bean That may include your food, water, and first aid , If you want to only bring a few items to hiking or other outdoor activity, a tactical fanny pack might be an ideal option than a burdensome large backpack. No. Christopher Greek Reveille is played as a bugle call to signal the beginning of the duty day on base. Since dog tags are used for identification purposes, active duty soldiers are required to wear them at all times while in the field, on an airplane or overseas. The Answer Youre Looking for. Do veterans salute during taps at a funeral? Retreat and the national anthem are played daily at 5 p.m., even as a civilian or in civilian clothes, you should stop and face the flag or the music if walking and stop Your Dog Face Soldier's A okay! (Answered), What Percentage of Military Marriages End in Divorce? What is played at 2200 on military bases? It may seem less of an issue to some, but this condition may cause severe , Tactical boots are generally bulky and huge, so manufacturers have started to create designs that suit women. Bugle calls' usage has since changed, but are still a significant part of the military. An official website of the United States government, Air Force Installation and Mission Support Center, Hosted by Defense Media Activity - WEB.mil. Web"Tattoo" is a bugle call played in the evening in the British Army and the United States Army. In basic training, lights out means go to sleep. Throughout Joint Base San Antonio, you will hear Reveille at 5 a.m. daily at Joint Base San Antonio-Lackland, 5:30 a.m. at JBSA-Fort Sam Houston and 6:30 a.m. at Although there are no official lyrics to Reveille, these unofficial lyrics for the Commonwealth "Reveille" have been recently popularized:[2]. Taps is played to mark the start of quiet hours on base, which is 9 p.m. Hanscom displays the U.S. flag 24/7 instead of raising it each morning, meaning reveille is just a traditional bugle call to indicate the start of the official duty day. Soldiers returned from these tasks when the bugler sounded Recall giving the Soldiers time to prepare themselves for the evening parade and Retreat. It is executed by raising the right hand smartly until the tip of the forefinger touches the right eyebrow or the front brim of the headgear when covered. The official military version is played by a single bugle or trumpet, although other versions of the tune may be played in other contexts (e.g., the U.S. Marine Corps Ceremonial Music site has recordings of two bugle versions and one band version). By Master Sgt. MESS CALL - Signals breakfast, lunch, or dinner. What if we stopped putting off the things weve been meaning to do and made the time? "Reveille," "Retreat," and "To the Colors" are played daily, and the military has specific protocols in place. Taps historian Jari Villanueva, a former ceremonial bugler at Arlington National Cemetery, discusses the evolution of the song and the meaning of Memorial Day. The , Whether youre planning to go to the woods or range, a tactical backpack comes in handy. When You Breathe In Your Diaphragm Does What. Are civilians allowed to play Taps at military funerals? It does not mean talk to your buddies, study or write a letter home. In 1848, Captain John C. Tidball began playing taps at military funerals. "If you have that, you can accomplish any mission.". Most of you have probably heard Reveille, Retreat, and Taps played at your military installation but what do they mean, and what can we learn from them? Tapsis played to mark the start of quiet hours on base, which is 9 p.m. Hanscom displays the U.S. flag 24/7 instead of raising it Reveille In modern times, the U.S. military plays (or sounds) Reveille in the morning, generally near sunrise, though its Thesoldiersproject is supported by its audience. Retreat is traditionally a time to secure the flag and pay respect to what it stands for.