Sailors aboard USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75) kicked off the first physical fitness assessment (PFA) cycle of its kind earlier this month.

Last year the Navy announced changes to its physical readiness program in NAVADMIN 141/17. In cycle 17-2, Sailors who were within the Navy age-graduated body fat standards, and scored an overall "excellent low" or better on the physical readiness test (PRT) with no single event lower than a "good low", are exempt from participating in this cycle's PRT.

"I think it's a great thing the Navy is doing by rewarding Sailors who perform well on the PRT," said Chief Electrician's Mate Marco Sifuentes, Truman's command fitness leader (CFL). "It provides Sailors with the incentive to push themselves just a little bit harder to get the scores they need to get an excellent."

All Sailors are still required to participate in the semi-annual body composition assessment (BCA), even if they are exempt from performing the PRT.

"I was close to scoring an excellent last cycle, but didn't quite get there," said Damage Controlman 3rd Class Michael Olsonkilcullen. "Being in the Navy for over five years now and completing more than 10 PRTs, I definitely would like to score an excellent so I can sit one out."

Also unique to this PRT will be the challenge of completing the cycle while being deployed.

"It's a tall task any time you have more than 3,000 Sailors who need to complete both the BCA and the PRT," said Machinist Mate 1st Class Marco Lott, Truman's assistant command fitness leader (ACFL). "It can be especially difficult when you are deployed and your main focus is the primary mission. Either way, between all of the command fitness leaders on board, we will come together and work with what we have to get it done."

Additionally, the Navy is also eliminating the use of elliptical machines as an alternate cardio because of low usage across the fleet during the PRT. While the 1.5 mile run remains the service standard, commanding officers may still authorize the use of approved stationary bikes and treadmills or allow Sailors to swim as alternate cardio.

"Currently we are planning to offer the standard run portion of the PRT during our first port visit," said Lott. "I personally can't think of a more memorable PRT than having the opportunity to run outdoors in a foreign port."

Truman's CFL and ACFLs will continue to conduct the BCAs and PRT on board through the end of the cycle on June 31st.

"I expect Sailors are going to perform outstandingly this cycle," said Sifuentes. "Coming off of a long work-up cycle and now being underway again, Sailors have the resources to meet their fitness goals. Also, Truman's Fit Boss does a great job of offering a variety of fitness classes that allow Sailors more opportunities to participate in physical activity."

Truman is operating in the U.S. Sixth Fleet area of responsibility as a part of a regularly scheduled deployment supporting maritime security operations in international waters around the globe.

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