Sept. 18, 2009
Q: Is there any rule on base regarding running in formation and calling cadence? I recently heard cadence being called as sailors ran past my tower in formation at 5:30 and 6:30 a.m. While this is a military base and I am mindful of the many rules I must follow, it is also a residential area. I am supportive of Navy pride and the commitment to team work and physical readiness, but waking at 5:30 a.m. to cadence makes for a very long day.

---

A: Commander Fleet Activities Yokosuka is a military installation and physical fitness is a key part of the military service. Most commands do not start there physical fitness program prior to 6 a.m. and you should not hear any cadence prior to that time. Please keep in mind that the entire base is a residential area with the exception of the water front, if you do hear any cadence prior to 6 a.m., please contact CFAY Command Master Chief Raynard Kidd at 243-9085 immediately with the organization/command’s name.

Now here's what I want to know: why "with the exception of the waterfront"?? There are towers directly across the street from the waterfront. It's not exactly like a 2-lane street is an effective soundproof barrier.
Secondly, how on earth am I supposed to contact somebody with the organization/command's name? I'm awakened, along with my young children, when an EXTREMELY LOUD group runs by at 5:22am (not for the first time), and I'm magically supposed to know what command it is by looking out my 5th floor window? I will be putting that phone # in my bedside phone's speed dial, though.

Lavender Lily,

I spoke with some Chiefs today, and they said you are absolutely right and not in the wrong to voice your opinion. There is a rule out, that states no group singing before 6am. So because your stating its occuring at 5:22am, they are in the wrong.

The best solution to fix this problem is 2 ways.

1) You send an email / call to the CFAY PAO.

2) You send an email / call to the CFAY CMC.

Either way, it will get this problem resolved.

Please let us know how things go. If you dont get anywhere, I will see what I can do to help.

I attended an Ombudsman meeting recently and I remember Captain Weed (CFAY) telling those in attendance that he realized this cadence thing was a concern.    I don't remember all the details about the times and how he was going to handle it, but it was one of his actions items.    I've seen this type of gripe come up on other bases and it typically becomes a "never-ending story" because of Mandatory PT by the myriad of tenant commands on a base this size and the trickle-down effect of getting the word out to everybody.    I agree that 6 a.m. is a good rule on a Navy base.

New, but related subject -  As a retired master chief, I'm surprised the active duty population isn't complaining about why there isn't a decent track to run on.  Surely the Navy can do better than the shoulder of the road going around the ball fields!   Didn't the base get a half million bucks recently awarded to them as the Best Base in the Navy?    Would be nice if they used the money to build a state-of-the-art track for the sailors here who certainly deserve it.

I like the track idea!

The high school track team (VERY GOOD, I might add!) has to train at some place off base, and they have NEVER held a track meet at Yokosuka. I know space is super-limited, but this sounds like something EVERY ONE COULD BENEFIT FROM!!

But I'm sure it's super-hard to put a track around that thing. There's such a tiny space there.

Good idea though!

Yes, John, it would indeed benefit the high school students as well. Thanks for jumping into the conversation and advocating for the kids at Kinnick. If the Navy thought a running track was important enough, they would have jumped on this idea already. I find it hard to believe that this is ignored by senior naval leadership. Maybe the brass will read this blog and act on it. It would be an engineering marvel for sure, but a bunch of Seabees with a can-do spirit (and funding) could do the job in no-time. (My dad was a Seabee, so I speak from personal experience.)

Ok something has got to be done. They came by here this morning at 5:10am!! calling cadence. (I live over here in one of the two towers that are in front of PSD.) I hope this isnt one of those things were there going to look at it and not fix it. Anybody else still having trouble to?

Yes, it happened this morning for the 3rd time this week! They were literally yelling the words "pump up the volume". I would LOVE to send an email to both the CMC and the PAO. Where can I find their email addresses?

It was really inappropriate and annoying to be at the Navy Lodge and have my 2 year old woken up when they'd run and sing at 6 am! I like the track idea.

I spoke with some people today about this issue. I was told this issue is being addressed at the senior leadership.

Base leaders have been sending emails to all the commands, but sometimes things dont filter down to each and every group fast enough.

I would recommend to continue to monitor the noise, and if you continue to hear things before 6am, to continue notifying the base CMC. You can also try the base Public Affairs Officer. Her name is Michelle Stewart. You can find her name on the 2nd page of the SEAHAWK newspaper, along with the rest of the staff from the SEAHAWK. You can email her, with first.last@fe.navy.mil