Navy to Ease Fitness Requirements for Sailors in Top Physical Shape
The Navy is changing its fitness standards, giving a break to high-performing sailors who excel in physical tests but might carry a few extra pounds. Sailors who achieve an “excellent” score on the Navy’s Physical Readiness Test (PRT) – even if their body composition measurements fall outside acceptable parameters – will be exempt from extra fitness training. This move reflects a growing shift within the military towards a more holistic understanding of fitness.
“Our goal is to maintain a minimum fitness level necessary for sailors to deploy worldwide and prioritize their long-term health and wellness,” explained William Speaks, spokesperson for the Chief of Naval Personnel. While body composition is important, it’s only one piece of the puzzle when assessing a sailor’s overall fitness.
Traditionally, sailors who didn’t meet the body fat percentage standards, known as the Body Composition Assessment (BCA), failed their PRT completely. This resulted in mandatory fitness and nutrition programs, known as the Fitness Enhancement Program.
The new policy recognizes that physical performance can be a strong indicator of overall fitness. Sailors scoring in the top 25% of the PRT, earning them an “excellent” rating, can validate their BCA even if it doesn’t technically meet standards.
While specifics vary by age group, male sailors aged 19 or younger need to achieve 76 pushups in two minutes, hold a plank for 2 minutes and 43 seconds, and run 1.5 miles in under 9 minutes and 45 seconds to earn that “excellent” rating. Female sailors in the same age bracket need to achieve 42 pushups, a 2 minutes and 33 seconds plank, and a 12 minute and 30 second run.
This policy change will primarily benefit high-performing sailors. Last year, approximately 9,500 active duty and Reserve sailors failed to meet BCA standards. Of those, only about 300, or slightly over 3%, achieved an "excellent" rating on the PRT.
The Navy emphasizes that sailors who don’t meet BCA standards are still capable of meeting deployment requirements, as stated in a major naval message released by Vice Admiral Richard Cheeseman Jr., chief of Naval Personnel.
This news comes amidst a wider shift in the military’s approach to fitness assessments. All branches are reconsidering their standards in light of a more diverse force and evolving fitness measurements.
The Army, for instance, has faced scrutiny over its differing fitness requirements for men and women, prompting congressional involvement. The Navy itself recently moved away from a strict policy that could end a sailor’s career after failing two consecutive PRT tests, allowing for more nuanced consideration during reenlistment and promotion decisions.
Further fueling this evolution are questions about the accuracy of traditional fitness measurements.
A Congressional Research Service report suggests that standard tape measurement techniques used for evaluating body fat might be less reliable than newer technologies like the "Bod Pod," an egg-shaped chamber that measures air displacement to calculate body composition. While this technology is used at some Army and Air Force installations, cost and access barriers have limited wider implementation.
Nutritional Guidance:
While exempt from the Fitness Enhancement Program, high-performing sailors will still be required to complete one nutritional education option:
- Individual consultation: Meet with a Registered Dietitian Nutritionist at a military treatment facility or local wellness center.
- ShipShape Program: Participate in a six-week online and in-person module focused on mindset, nutrition, and physical activity.
- Virtual learning: Complete a self-study course on the Navy Physical Fitness Assessment app.
- Mission Nutrition Course: Attend a two-day course at a Navy fitness center.
- Meal builder review: Design a meal plan using the Navy’s virtual meal builder and have it reviewed by a Command Fitness Leader.
These changes reflect the Navy’s commitment to realistic fitness standards that prioritize overall health and performance.
