MILLINGTON, Tenn. (NNS) — The Navy, working with the University of Memphis Department of Health and Sport Sciences, began a beta test of nine physical fitness exercises July 11.

Bill Moore, director, Navy Physical Readiness Program, said there are currently no plans to change the Navy’s physical readiness test, but the study will examine viability other options that may have greater operational relevance.

“The purpose of the beta test is for research purposes only and is intended to collect data,” said Moore.

“The results of this beta test could be used to develop a physical readiness test that incorporates more functional movements which better mimic Navy job-specific tasks,” said Moore.

He said Navy officials will need to analyze the results after the test concludes later this month.

The beta test examines Sailors participation in nine exercises. Cadence push-ups, single-leg plank and single-leg wall squats are used to measure muscular endurance. The leg-hip dynamometer, hand-grip dynamometer and standing long jump measure muscular strength. The pro-agility shuttle, 300-yard shuttle, five kilometer bike test and two kilometer rower measure anaerobic capacity.

The test exercises were selected to allow researchers to examine two major components of physical fitness: health and skill related. They feature common movements practiced both in sports and on the job.

“Health-related components include cardiovascular fitness, body composition, flexibility, muscular strength, and muscular endurance,” said Lt. Cmdr. David Peterson, Navy Physical Readiness Program exercise physiologist. “Skill related components include speed, agility, balance, coordination, reaction time and power.”

More than 180 Sailors, male and female, representing a full spectrum of age and fitness levels are participating to allows researchers to examine applicability for the Navy demographic.

Personnel Specialist 2nd Class (SW/AW) Joshua Sickles, assigned to Navy Recruiting Command, said he typically scores excellent on his semi-annual physical readiness test. During the beta test, Sickles performed the single-leg plank, standing long jump and two-kilometer rower during his first test session.

“It was different than what we do now and harder” said Sickles.

Sailors in the beta test will participate in a total of six sessions.

“This is an exciting opportunity to participate in a state-of-the-art research study,” Moore said. “However, I need to reemphasize that this is for research purposes only and that there are currently no plans to change the Navy PRT.”

For more information about the Physical Readiness Program, visithttp://www.npc.navy.mil/support/physical.

For more news from Navy Personnel Command, visit www.navy.mil/local/npc/.

The revised instruction will strengthen program compliance, improve physical fitness assessment (PFA) documentation and encourage Sailors to maintain the level of physical fitness required to support mission readiness. This is the first major revision to the Physical Readiness Program since 2005.

The streamlined instruction stresses that passing the Physical Fitness Assessment is a requirement for continued Navy service and failure to meet these requirements can result in administrative separation processing.

“We reduced the instruction to just what leadership needs to know and the rest is contained in the Physical Readiness Program Operating Guide, which will be a how-to manual.” said Bill Moore, Physical Readiness Program director. “It will provide information, procedural guidance, and supplementary information.”

There are several changes reflected in the new instruction including the requirement to complete the medical screening process prior to participating in the PFA as well as a reduction of the number of PRT scoring categories to five, ranging from “outstanding” to “failure.”

The rules have also changed regarding medical waivers. Sailors granted two medical waivers in a 12-month period will be referred to a Medical Treatment Facility for a Medical Evaluation Board.

In addition, failing the Body Composition Assessment (BCA) is now considered an overall PFA failure and Sailors can no longer request a “Bad Day” exception for the BCA and are limited to one PRT retest for a given PFA cycle.

Mandatory administrative separation will continue for Sailors who have failed three PFAs within the most recent four-year period. While the instruction allows for waivers for those with three PFA failures, individuals may still face separation and may be prevented from transferring, reenlisting or extending in-service.

A Physical Readiness Program Operating Guide is now in place and is accompanied by an updated version of the Navy Nutrition Guide and Fitness Enhancement Program (FEP) guidance that will reside online at the Navy Physical Readiness webpage.

The new guide incorporates policy guidance from OPNAVINST 6110.1H and NAVADMINs 293/06, 277/08, 073/09, 247/09 and 131/10.

“A Sailor can achieve long-term health and fitness by making regular physical activity and a solid nutrition plan a lifestyle priority. That commitment is consistent with Navy Core Values and helps ensure Sailors remain competitive,” said Bill Moore, Physical Readiness Program director. “Every Sailor competes to stay and fitness is one component of this process.

NAVADMIN 203/11

RMKS/1.  THIS NAVADMIN OUTLINES POLICY CHANGES THAT GO INTO EFFECT UPON

RELEASE OF OPNAVINST 6110.1J.

2.  OPNAVINST 6110.1J IS A COMPLETE REVISION OF SUPPORT REQUIREMENTS TO THE
PHYSICAL READINESS PROGRAM INSTRUCTION.  THESE REVISIONS ARE MADE TO ENSURE
BOTH ACTIVE COMPONENT (AC) AND RESERVE COMPONENT (RC) PERSONNEL MAINTAIN A
LEVEL OF PHYSICAL FITNESS REQUIRED TO SUPPORT OVERALL MISSION READINESS.
MEETING DEFINED MINIMUM PFA STANDARDS IS A REQUIREMENT FOR CONTINUED NAVAL
SERVICE.

3.  MEDICAL SCREENING.  THE MEDICAL SCREENING PROCESS HAS BEEN ADDED AS A
REQUIRED COMPONENT OF THE PFA.  NO MEMBER IS AUTHORIZED TO PARTICIPATE IN THE
PFA WITHOUT MEDICAL CLEARANCE.  MEDICAL CLEARANCE CONSISTS OF:
    A.  CURRENT PERIODIC HEALTH ASSESSMENT (PHA);
    B.  PHYSICAL ACTIVITY RISK FACTOR QUESTIONNAIRE (PARFQ); AND,
    C.  PRE-PHYSICAL ACTIVITY QUESTIONS.

4.  MEDICAL WAIVERS.  MEMBERS GRANTED TWO CONSECUTIVE MEDICAL WAIVERS OR THREE
IN A 4-YEAR PERIOD SHALL BE REFERRED TO THE MILITARY TREATMENT FACILITY (MTF)
FOR A MEDICAL EVALUATION BOARD (MEB).  MEB FINDINGS SHALL BE FORWARDED TO NAVY
PERSONNEL COMMAND (NAVPERSCOM), CAREER PROGRESSION (PERS-8) FOR DISPOSITION.

5.  ECHELON 3 COMMANDERS' RESPONSIBILITIES.  ECHELON 3 COMMANDERS SHALL
APPOINT A COLLATERAL DUTY PHYSICAL READINESS CONTROL OFFICER
(PRCO) TO LIAISON WITH OPNAV N135, PROVIDE ASSISTANCE TO SUBORDINATE COMMANDS
ON PHYSICAL READINESS PROGRAM POLICY, AND ENSURE PFA COMPLIANCE REPORTING AT
LEAST SEMI-ANNUALLY.

6.  BUREAU OF MEDICINE AND SURGERY (BUMED) RESPONSIBILITIES.  BUMED SHALL
ESTABLISH GUIDELINES TO ENSURE CONSISTENCY OF THE AUTHORIZED MEDICAL
DEPARTMENT REPRESENTATIVE (AMDR) MEDICAL WAIVER RECOMMENDATION PROCESS AND
DEVELOP AND EXECUTE A TRAINING PROGRAM FOR ALL PHYSICIANS, NURSE
PRACTITIONERS, PHYSICIAN ASSISTANTS AND INDEPENDENT DUTY CORPSMAN (IDC) ON
PROPER PROCEDURES FOR PFA MEDICAL SCREENING AND WAIVERS.

7.  COMMANDING OFFICERS SHALL:
    A.  REQUEST APPROVAL FROM IMMEDIATE SUPERIOR IN COMMAND (ISIC
    )
TO "DEP/OP" BCA FOR THE ENTIRE COMMAND.
    B.  REQUEST APPROVAL FROM ISIC TO WAIVE TWO CONSECUTIVE PRT CYCLES FOR
"DEP/OP".

8.  BCA.  FAILING THE BCA PORTION OF THE PFA IS AN OVERALL PFA FAILURE.
MEMBERS WHO FAIL THE BCA, OR ARE MEDICALLY WAIVED FROM THE BCA, SHALL NOT
PARTICIPATE IN THE PHYSICAL READINESS TEST (PRT).

9.  BAD DAY.  CO'S MAY AUTHORIZE ONE RETEST FOR THE PRT PORTION OF THE PFA.  A
BAD DAY EXCEPTION FOR BCA IS NOT AUTHORIZED.

10.  UNAUTHORIZED ABSENCES.  AT THE END OF EACH PFA CYCLE, CO'S HAVE THE
AUTHORITY TO DETERMINE WHETHER NON-PARTICIPATION WAS AUTHORIZED OR
UNAUTHORIZED.  ALL UNAUTHORIZED NON-PARTICIPATION SHALL BE DESIGNATED AS "UA"
IN PRIMS AND SCORED AS A PFA FAILURE.

11.  10-WEEK PFA NOTIFICATION POLICY.  NOT RECEIVING A PFA NOTIFICATION DOES
NOT EXEMPT MEMBERS FROM TAKING THE PFA AS LONG AS THEY ARE MEDICALLY CLEARED
AND ACCLIMATIZED.

12.  PHYSICAL TRAINING UNIFORM.  COS AND OICS SHOULD SPECIFY THE REQUIRED
UNIFORM, UNIFORM OF THE DAY OR NAVY PHYSICAL TRAINING UNIFORM, THAT WILL BE
WORN DURING OFFICIAL AND UNOFFICIAL HEIGHT/WEIGHT SCREENING AND CIRCUMFERENCE
MEASUREMENTS.

13.  ALTERING BODY FAT MEASUREMENTS.  ANY ATTEMPT BY A MEMBER TO TEMPORARILY
ALTER THEIR BCA MEASUREMENTS BY USING BODY WRAPS, EXTREME STARVATION DIETS,
AND/OR SAUNA SUITS IS PROHIBITED.

14.  PRT CATEGORIES.  PRT CATEGORIES ARE:
    A.  OUTSTANDING
    B.  EXCELLENT
    C.  GOOD
    D.  SATISFACTORY
    E.  FAILURE

15.  PRT SAFETY.  ONE-ON-ONE PRTS ARE NOT AUTHORIZED.  EVERY PRT MUST HAVE A
CFL, OR ASSISTANT CFL, AND ONE QUALIFIED CPR MONITOR PRESENT FOR EVERY 25
PARTICIPANTS.

16.  ADMINISTRATIVE SEPARATION (ADSEP) FOR OVER 18 YEARS OF SERVICE.
MEMBERS WITH OVER 18 YEARS OF SERVICE ARE NOT EXEMPT FROM ADSEP.
MEMBERS WITH A THIRD PFA FAILURE PRIOR TO 30 JUNE 2011 WHO HAVE AN APPROVED
FLEET RESERVE/RETIREMENT DATE WILL BE ALLOWED TO RETIRE (GRAND-FATHERED IN).
THOSE WITH A THIRD FAILURE SUBSEQUENT TO 30 JUNE 2011 WILL BE PROCESSED FOR
ADSEP.

17.  WAIVER FOR READINESS.  A WAIVER FOR READINESS IS A WAIVER OF ADSEP
PROCESSING AND IS GRANTED FOR A SPECIFIC PFA CYCLE ONLY.  THE WAIVER IS
DESIGNED TO ADDRESS THE ADVERSE IMPACT ON UNIT, FLEET, OR COMMUNITY THAT WOULD
RESULT FROM THE LOSS OF A SPECIFIC INDIVIDUAL.
    A.  CO'S MUST REQUEST A WAIVER FOR READINESS THROUGH THEIR
    ISIC.
ECHELON 3 (OR HIGHER) COMMANDERS MAINTAIN RESPONSIBILITY FOR APPROVAL AND
DISPOSITION OF ALL WAIVERS FOR READINESS.  COMMAND REQUESTS MUST BE INITIATED
WITHIN 14 DAYS OF THE END OF THE COMMAND PFA CYCLE.
APPROVING COMMANDERS WILL CONSULT WITH THE APPROPRIATE BUREAU OF NAVAL
PERSONNEL (BUPERS) OFFICER COMMUNITY MANAGER/ENLISTED COMMUNITY MANAGER
(BUPERS-31/32), BEFORE MAKING A FINAL DETERMINATION ON WAIVER APPROVAL.
    B.  A WAIVER FOR READINESS EXPIRES AT COMPLETION OF OBLIGATED SERVICE;
COMPLETION OF THE NEXT COMMAND PFA; OR, COMPLETION OF THE NEXT PFA CYCLE
(WHICHEVER OCCURS FIRST).  IF, UPON WAIVER EXPIRATION, THE MEMBER STILL HAS
THREE OR MORE PFA FAILURES IN THE MOST RECENT 4- YEAR PERIOD, CO'S SHALL
INITIATE ADSEP PROCESSING.

18.  RETENTION FOLLOWING AN ADSEP BOARD.  INDIVIDUALS RETAINED IN THE NAVY
FOLLOWING COMMANDER NAVPERSCOM APPROVAL ARE ELIGIBLE TO TRANSFER; HOWEVER,
THESE INDIVIDUALS WILL NEED A TRANSFER WAIVER FROM NAVPERSCOM (PERS-4) PRIOR
TO TRANSFER.  THESE INDIVIDUALS WILL BE REFERRED TO AN ADDITIONAL ADSEP BOARD
IF THEY FAIL A SUBSEQUENT PFA AND STILL HAVE THREE OR MORE PFA FAILURES IN THE
MOST RECENT 4-YEAR PERIOD.

19.  POINT OF CONTACT:  MR. BILL MOORE, DIRECTOR, PHYSICAL READINESS PROGRAM,
OPNAV N135F, AT (901) 874-2210/DSN 882, OR VIA E-MAIL NAVYPRT(AT)NAVY.MIL.

20.  RELEASED BY VADM MARK FERGUSON, N1.// BT
#0001
NNNN

Currently, the Navy and the University of Memphis are seeking Sailors in the Millington and Memphis, Tenn., area to participate in the test. In order to effectively develop potential performance standards, the test will use volunteers from each age and gender category, as established by the Navy Physical Readiness Program (PRP) instruction (OPNAVINST 6110.1 series). The beta test will last through the end of July.

“This does not mean that we have plans to change the physical readiness test (PRT),” said Bill Moore, director, Navy PRP. “We are always looking at process improvement. An open mind is essential to the program – whether we are considering new exercise options or focusing on nutrition. Our current program is based on research and we are honored to be working jointly with the University of Memphis.”

The test will incorporate several muscular strength tests, including the leg/hip dynamometer and standing long jump. Both exercises use the same muscle groups (i.e., the legs, hips, and back) that are used when performing a squat, lifting a box, and other such movements that occur daily in Navy life. There will also be a short (only 15-yard), distanced timed event called the pro-agility test.  It measures an individual’s speed and agility as they accelerate, decelerate, and change direction.  Again, these are common movements practiced both in sports and on the job. Endurance events being tested include a 300-yard shuttle run, two-kilometer rower and five-kilometer bike test.

“There are multiple components to physical fitness, but they can be broken down into two major categories – health related and skill related,” said Lt. Cmdr. David Peterson, exercise physiologist for the Navy’s PRP. “Health-related components include: cardiovascular fitness, body composition, flexibility, muscular strength, and muscular endurance.  Skill related components include: speed, agility, balance, coordination, reaction time and power. The current PRT incorporates most of the health-related components of fitness, but none of the skill-related.  Exercises chosen for evaluation in the beta test not only incorporate health related components but skill related components as well.”

According to Moore, the beta test is being conducted for the sake of research only.

“This is an exciting opportunity to participate in a state-of-the-art research study.  However, I need to reemphasize that this is for research purposes only and that there are currently no plans to change the Navy PRT,” Moore said.

For more information, visit the Navy’s physical readiness Web page at http://www.npc.navy.mil/support/physical.

Download the New OFFICIAL PFA Calculator for Bikes and Elliptical  PFACalc2011.zip

WASHINGTON (NNS) — To comply with DOD-wide policy, members separated from the Navy after Jan. 1 solely for failing the physical fitness test (PFT) portion of the physical fitness assessment (PFA) will not be authorized involuntary separation pay, according to a NAVADMIN released Dec. 29.

Policy for involuntary separations before Jan. 1 did not distinguish between separations for failing the PFT and separations relating to weight control.

Members separated for failing the body composition assessment (BCA) in any of three PFA failures may receive one-half involuntary separation pay as long as they are eligible for such pay in all other respects, including the requirement, if qualified, to serve in either the selected reserve or individual ready reserve.

Members who have been involved in misconduct or who are not performing satisfactorily must be separated for those reasons, not for weight control.

To read NAVADMIN 420/10, visit http://www.npc.navy.mil/ReferenceLibrary/Messages/.

For more information from the chief of naval personnel, visit www.navy.mil/cnp.

For more news from Chief of Naval Personnel, visit www.navy.mil/local/cnp/.

NAVADMIN 420/10

SUBJ/NEW POLICY REGARDING INVOLUNTARY SEPARATION PAY FOR PHYSICAL
FITNESS ASSESSMENT FAILURE//

REF/A/DOC/DUSD(MPP)/29NOV10//
REF/B/DOC/OPNAV/20DEC05//
NARR/REF A IS MEMORANDUM FROM DUSD(MPP) REGARDING SEPARATION PROGRAM
DESIGNATOR (SPD) CODES.
REF B IS OPNAVINST 1900.4, SEPARATION PAY FOR INVOLUNTARY SEPARATION
FROM ACTIVE DUTY.//

RMKS/1. EFFECTIVE 1 JANUARY 2011, IN COMPLIANCE WITH REF A, MEMBERS
SEPARATED FOR FAILURE TO PASS THE PHYSICAL FITNESS ASSESSMENT (PFA)
SHALL BE ASSIGNED A SEPARATION PROGRAM DESIGNATOR (SPD) CODE ENDING IN
EITHER “FT” OR “CR.”

2. IF A MEMBER IS BEING SEPARATED SOLELY FOR FAILING THE PHYSICAL
READINESS TEST (PRT) PORTION OF THE PFA AND HAS PASSED THE BODY
COMPOSITION ASSESSMENT (BCA) PORTION IN EACH OF THE FAILED CYCLES, THEY
SHALL BE ASSIGNED AN SPD CODE ENDING IN “FT” (PHYSICAL STANDARDS) AND
WILL NO LONGER BE AUTHORIZED INVOLUNTARY SEPARATION PAY (ISP).

3. IF A MEMBER FAILS TO PASS THE BCA PORTION OF THE PFA IN ANY OF THE
FAILED CYCLES, THEY SHALL BE ASSIGNED AN SPD CODE ENDING IN “CR” (WEIGHT
CONTROL) AND MAY RECEIVE ONE HALF ISP. THE SAILOR MUST BE ELIGIBLE IN
ALL OTHER RESPECTS INCLUDING THE REQUIREMENT TO SERVE IN EITHER THE
SELECTED RESERVE OR INDIVIDUAL READY RESERVE COMPONENTS IN ORDER TO
RECEIVE ISP.

4. THIS PROVISON WILL NOT BE USED TO SEPARATE MEMBERS WHO MEET THE
CRITERIA FOR SEPARATION UNDER OTHER, MORE APPROPRIATE PROVISIONS OF NAVY
SEPARATION POLICY. FOR EXAMPLE, A MEMBER WHO IS SEPARATED FOR WEIGHT
CONTROL AND IS ALSO INVOLVED IN MISCONDUCT OR UNSATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE
SHOULD BE SEPARATED FOR MISCONDUCT OR UNSATISFACTORY PERFORMANCE AND NOT
FOR WEIGHT CONTROL.

5. THIS GUIDANCE SUPERSEDES THE POLICY REGARDING THIS ISSUE IN REF B.
PERMANENT CHANGES TO REF B ARE FORTHCOMING.

6. POC IS LT GRANT SCHWEIKERT, N130C4 (703)614-5635, DSN/224, OR EMAIL
AT GRANT.SCHWEIKERT(AT)NAVY.MIL.

7. RELEASED BY VADM MARK FERGUSON, N1.//

Additional NAVADMIN's can be found at the NAVADMIN Library

#0001
NNNN