338th RCS shares Air Force opportunities at 'Freedom's Call' Published July 2, 2008 By Staff Sgt. Chad Tanner 338th Recruiting Squadron Wright-Patterson AFB, Ohio -- Members of the 338th Recruiting squadron did its part to draw in crowds for Air Force Material Command's fourth annual "Freedom's Call" Military Tattoo June 27. More than 80,000 people attended the event taking place on the grounds of the National Museum of the United States Air Force here. Recruiters shared the word about Air Force job opportunities with curious guest checking out the Air Force mini-jets, football toss and a monster truck. The AFMC Tattoo is an adaptation of a time-honored military tradition, featuring ceremonial musical performances by the U.S. Air Force Band of Flight, military aircraft flyovers, airpower demonstrations, static displays, an oath of enlistment ceremony for new recruits and evening fireworks. The musical Tattoo traces its heritage to earliest days of organized warfare, when armies found it necessary to signal troops when to advance, retreat, turn, all from a distance and over the din of battle. The blare of a bugle, boom of drums, pitched whistle of fifes or haunting wail of bagpipes proved very effective for sending these signals. These instruments, alone or in combination, became known as field music. Soldiers regularly drilled to the signals of field music so that in battle their reaction would become instinctive. Today, the Tattoo is a spectacle combining military drill, music and historical narration with aircraft flyovers and fireworks demonstrations to stir patriotic feelings in guests of all ages.