The Army Song

A few days ago, I attended a mass retirement ceremony at Fort Myer, Virginia. It was held outdoors with The Old Guard marching on the parade field. The Old Guard was impressive and the attendees seemed to enjoy the ceremony.

At the end of the ceremony, the band played the Army Song: "The Army Goes Rolling Along." The Army Song is normally played at the conclusion of U.S. Army ceremonies. It is an Army custom that Soldiers stand at attention and sing the lyrics of the Army Song.

I started singing the Army Song, but my wife noticed that I was the only person who was singing in our vicinity. I was surprised that no one else, especially other Soldiers, were singing along.

I have also noticed at most other Army ceremonies that I have attended, there hasn't been great enthusiasm in singing the Army Song. Either people don't know the words to the song and just stand at attention or they sing along but not loudly enough to show some spirit. I'm not sure if it's like this throughout the Army, but I've served in tactical units and up to the Army Staff, and most of the time, I've haven't seen or heard enthusiasm in singing the Army Song.

Singing one's Service song is a way to express pride in one's Service. The Marines sing their Service song, the Marine Hymn, with great pride and exhilaration and they know the lyrics by heart.

I realize that this is a relatively insignificant issue to raise, especially when the Army is concerned about much greater issues. However, when the Army Song is played before national leaders and foreign dignitaries, not to mention along with other Service songs, the accompanying singing should reflect the pride of the Army.

Soldiers and Army Civilians should learn the Army Song (at least the first verse and the refrain) and sing it with pride and spirit when it's played. Or, the Army should replace it with another song that Soldiers and Army Civilians can truly sing with pride and spirit.

Major Ray Ceralde
Student, Command and General Staff College, ILE
Ft. Belvoir, VA

The views expressed in this blog are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government.