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DAY 5: FY27 CPO CHARIOT RACE
The tradition continues: Chiefs Mess Selectee Challenge
Build the chariot. Represent your command. Know your heritage. Race for glory.
CPO Selectees from across the Tri-Base area are invited to Naval Station Mayport for one of the most unique events of CPO Heritage Week — the FY27 CPO Chariot Race.
This voluntary, invitational event brings Chiefs and Selectees together for a morning built around leadership, heritage, teamwork, ingenuity, Naval knowledge, and a little friendly competition.
EVENT SCHEDULE
0630 — Event & Course Setup
Event and Command Leads conduct course setup and the racecourse safety walk-through.
0700–0800 — Team Sign-In / Breakfast / Setup
0750 — Preparation & Observance of Colors
The Mess will assemble collaboratively by rank, followed by CPO Selectees.
0805 — Event Introduction & Safety Brief
0810–0830 — Parade of Chariots
Teams will showcase their creations in front of the attending Chiefs and Selectees.
0830–0850 — Chariot Show & Judging
Event Leads will score each command's chariot, guidon, and Coxswain presentation.
0850–0900 — Race Formation & Commencement
Following the Race — Final Scoring & Trophy Presentation
REGISTER YOUR CHARIOT TEAM
Ready to represent your command?
REGISTER YOUR CHARIOT TEAM
Participation is voluntary and invitational.
All FY27 CPO Selectees are encouraged to participate, and visiting Messes are welcome.
Chariot Race Registration Points of Contact
ABEC Peter Bonter
619-730-9728
peter.j.bonter.mil@us.navy.mil
GMCS Aaron Hoye
309-369-8537
aaron.hoye556@gmail.com
CPO Heritage Week
THE CHALLENGE
Welcome to our annual CPO Pride Day Jax Event, where we showcase the latest in cutting-edge technologies and innovations. Join us for a two-day event filled with keynote speeches, hands-on workshops, and networking opportunities. Our goal is to provide attendees with a unique experience that will leave them inspired and informed about the future of CPO Pride Day Jax. Don't miss out on this exciting opportunity to be a part of the CPO Pride Day JThis is more than a race.
Teams will rotate through seven stations for three rounds, answering questions based on:
- CPO history
- History of the CPO Anchor
- Historically significant events involving ships associated with Mayport
- Naval programs and policies
- Uniform regulations
- Naval heritage and professional knowledge
Each station will have a designated Chief and Season Sheriff.
Teams answering correctly continue to the next station.
An incorrect answer sends the chariot to the designated penalty turnaround before returning for another attempt.
Electronic assistance is not authorized.
There are 21 knowledge points available during the competition.ax journey!
BUILD YOUR CHARIOT
Every command is encouraged to put its personality, history, and creativity into its chariot.
Your chariot must incorporate a visible or historical likeness associated with your command, ship, station, or namesake.
Minimum Construction Requirements
Your chariot must include:
- Between two and four wheels
- Off-road capable tires
- At least three points of contact with the ground when standing alone
- A functional onboard braking system
- A seat capable of supporting the Coxswain
- A properly installed seat belt
- A functional Gold Anchor and hawsepipe
- 1/9th of a shot of gold anchor chain
- A functioning horn
- A drink holder containing the Coxswain's favorite non-alcoholic beverage
- A command-related or historically significant name or number
- No more than three digits if a number is used
No two chariots may use the same name or number.
And remember:
“A Smooth Sea Never Made a Skilled Sailor.”
CHARIOT POWER
Your team is the engine.
The chariot must be powered by four CPO Selectees at any given time.
Any deviation from the Selectee-powered requirement must be supported by an approved Departure From Specification (DFS) signed by the unit Command Master Chief.
No motors.
No shortcuts.
Just teamwork.
YES... THERE IS A "SELF-DEFENSE SYSTEM"
Because apparently a normal chariot race would be too easy.
Each chariot must incorporate a visible, hydraulically operated, self-reloading defense system.
For safety, the system must:
- Be limited to hydraulic streaming
- Not fire a single projectile
- Contain no flammable material
- Be incapable of causing physical harm to another participant
Creativity is encouraged.
Injuring another team is not.
COXSWAIN CHALLENGE
Choose wisely.
Each command must identify its Coxswain, and additional points are available based upon both rank and presentation.
Coxswain Rank Points
Master Chief Petty Officer — 5 points
Senior Chief Petty Officer — 3 points
Chief Petty Officer — 1 point
The Coxswain selected as the Most Chiefly / Best Dressed Coxswain will earn an additional 10 points for the team.
Coxswain Equipment
Teams will provide their Coxswain with appropriate protective equipment, including:
- Football helmet with full facemask
- ANSI Z87+ eye protection or properly installed football visor
- Kneepads
- Elbow pads
- Decorated Coxswain shirt worn over protective equipment
Make it safe.
Make it memorable.
Make it Chiefly.
SELECTEE GEAR
Each participating Selectee is required to have:
- Selectee Shirt / PT Uniform
- Left-arm armband with name and command
- Individual water source
- Swim goggles
- Kneepad
- Gloves
Selectees with LIMDU/LLD restrictions must have the required documentation displayed on an additional right-arm armband in accordance with event guidance.
A CamelBak or similar individual hydration source is recommended.
PRE-RACE INSPECTION
Deadline: September 1, 2026
Construction must be completed in time for each team to conduct a pre-race safety and compliance inspection with its CPO Mess.
Teams must present:
- Completed chariot
- Inventory of all items attached to the chariot
- Documentation for items obtained through the proper ACANN process
- Required Command Master Chief endorsements
- Written chariot build and testing procedures in Maintenance Requirement Card (MRC) format
Commands are responsible for coordinating transportation of their chariot to and from Naval Station Mayport.
Do not wait until race morning to find out your masterpiece does not pass inspection.
HOW THE WINNER IS DECIDED
This competition rewards more than speed.
Maximum Points
Guidon — 10 Points
Chariot — 10 Points
Best Dressed / Most Chiefly Coxswain — 10 Points
Coxswain Rank — Up to 5 Points
Naval Knowledge — Up to 21 Points
First Place Race Finish — 44 Points
Maximum Possible Score: 100 Points
Race placement points:
1st Place — 44 Points
2nd Place — 34 Points
3rd Place — 24 Points
When the racing is complete, all categories will be combined to determine the overall FY27 CPO Chariot Race Champion.
SPECIAL AWARDS
Winning the entire race is not your only opportunity to take home hardware.
🏆 THE GOAT AWARD
Awarded for Best Chariot
🥽 THE GOLDEN GOGGLES AWARD
Awarded to the Most Chiefly Coxswain
🐦 THE BLUE FALCON AWARD
Awarded for the Worst Chariot
Yes, the Blue Falcon is real.
And yes, someone is taking it home.
REPRESENT YOUR COMMAND
This event is about much more than crossing a finish line.
It is about Chiefs mentoring future Chiefs.
It is about Selectees learning to work together when the solution is not obvious.
It is about knowing where we came from, representing the commands we serve today, and carrying our heritage into the future.
Leadership. Tradition. Teamwork.
Earn your anchors.
Build your team. Build your chariot. Compete for glory.
COMMAND MESS COIN
Each participating chariot crew will provide one Command CPO Mess coin to the Event Lead.
The collection of command accoutrements will be donated to the Mayport CPO Club in recognition of its continued support of Jacksonville-area Navy Chiefs.
This event would not be possible without the support and backing of Clay Veterans Inc., a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and the JHNSA, another 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.
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