The Navy's overhaul of the Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) took effect Jan. 1 and will result in notable changes to Cycle 1 of the 2016 PFA.

The reevaluation of the previous all-encompassing method to physical fitness resulted in policy changes to the body composition assessment (BCA), the failure-separation policy, and the overall approach the Navy takes with physical fitness. The modifications mark a new direction designed to institute a year-round program, assisting those struggling to maintain fitness rather than punishing those who fail.

"Making a lasting change in your fitness takes commitment," said Chief Legalman James Goza, Navy Region Singapore Command Fitness Leader. "There are no overnight, quick-fix plans that can deliver sustainable results. You have to transform your lifestyle, stick with the plan, and stay vigilant if you want to maintain positive results."

The BCA alterations shift the focus of the assessment to better evaluate overall health by establishing four new age categories with their own corresponding standards.

"Body styles have changed since the old standards were established," explained Goza. "People that are fit and healthy were not meeting the BCA standards. People who were able to exceed the PRT standards were failing due to their inability to pass the BCA. The changes to the system were implemented in order to address these issues."

The BCA will now consist of three opportunities to pass. The first chance is the height to weight ratio, which was used in the old BCA calculation system. If a Sailor fails to meet the ratio standards, a new waist-only tape test, with overall maximums of 39 inches for men and 35.5 inches for women, will be conducted.

A test using the previous system of neck and waist measurements used to calculate body fat percentages will be the final opportunity to pass the BCA.

Failing the BCA will result in the Sailor being placed into the Fitness Enhancement Program; however, the individual will still take the PRT and can pass the overall PFA.

"These changes do not result in a loosening of the standards," said Goza. "The reality is that regardless of how you measure in during the BCA, you will participate in the PRT portion of the PFA under the new system. Your overall fitness will be measured based on how you actually perform physically."

Under the former PFA system, three failures during a four-year period resulted in a discharge from the Navy. In correlation with the new BCA standards, two failures during a three-year period will result in a discharge.

The changes are intended to reduce the number of Sailors discharged every year for PFA failures. More than 4,000 sailors were discharged from the Navy as a result of PFA performance from 2011 to 2014.

The full text of NAVADMIN 178/15 can be found at www.navy.mil/ah_online/documents/NAVADMIN%20178-15.pdf

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