Raising the Bar on Physical Readiness Requirements

BETHESDA, Md. (NNS) -- Like all Navy commands, Naval Support Activity Bethesda is gearing up for the fall Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA), running Sept. 27 to Nov. 5, and reminding Sailors of the recent changes to readiness requirements.

For this year's PFA as in the past, the assessment includes physical readiness testing and body composition assessment, with Sailors having the option of completing a 1.5-mile run, a 500-yard swim, or a 12-minute fixed-time test on the elliptical trainer or stationary bike, burning as many calories as possible on either machine. Sailors must also do a set number of push-ups and sit-ups, depending on their age and gender.

As of Jan. 1, 2011, the requirements for Sailors who opt to take the bike test must use a more vigorous calorie conversion equation, equating the activity to a 1.5-mile run, according to NAVADMIN 256/10 announced Aug. 10.

Also making requirements more stringent, according to NAVADMIN 073/09, as of March 2009, active-duty Sailors who have had three or more PFA failures in the last four years may not re-enlist, transfer or extend their service without a waiver from the Navy Personnel Command.

"If anyone has three failures in a four-year period, they run the risk of being administratively separated," said Chief Hospital Corpsman Leonardo Carbonel, head of National Naval Medical Center's PFA Office.

Sailors who have failed once or twice are also ineligible for promotion, advancement or frocking.

For more information about physical readiness and policies, visit www.navy-prt.com or www.npc.navy.mil.

For more news from National Naval Medical Center, visit www.navy.mil/local/nnmc/.