When a sailor fails the BCA he she should immediately enroll in what program?

CFLs, Assistant CFLs (ACFLs), and the enrolled FEP member must work together to accomplish the goal of meeting and/ or exceeding age and gender-specific minimum PFA thresholds (10). CFLs are trained to seek out helpful resources to assist with weight loss and performance enhancement. These resources include, but are not limited to: a registered dietitian (RD), Navy sports medicine personnel, military treatment facilities (MTFs), the Navy’s Ship Shape 8-session/8-week lifestyle education program, the Mission Nutrition program, galley/mess hall’s Go For Green program guides, Navy Operational Fitness and Fueling Systems, and Operation Supplement Safety (4).

The U.S. Navy assesses personnel via a semi-annual PFA, which includes a medical screen, a body composition assessment (BCA), and a physical readiness test (PRT) (3). PFAs are conducted by the command’s designated CFL and, oftentimes, with help from one or more ACFLs. The Navy has become more stringent with the fleet’s sailor readiness requirements to be deployment ready. Physical fitness and injury/rehabilitation status are getting a heavy focus as per the Deputy Chief of Naval Personnel (11). It thus becomes critical for the Navy’s fleet to have a fit and ready fleet around the world to meet the operational demands expected of all Navy sailors.

The BCA is used to identify the sailor’s estimated body fat percentage. Only CFLs or trained ACFLs are authorized to conduct official BCA measurements (3,6). The components of the BCA include a height and weight measurement, followed by a circumference measurement if the member exceeds the weight for height screen (3,6). Females are to be measured at the neck, waist, and hips, and males are to be measured at the neck and abdomen (6). Sailors will fail the BCA if they exceed the maximum allowable body fat limits of 36% for females and 26% for males (3,6). Members who pass the BCA but are not within the graduated BCA standards for their respective age group will be placed in FEP until they are within the graduated standards (6). Screening tables and chart information can be found under Section 4 in Guide 4 in The Body Composition Assessment of the Navy Physical Readiness Program Handbook (6).

The PRT provides Commanding Officers (COs) with a method of assessing the fitness level of the members in their respective commands (7). The components of the PRT include two muscular endurance events (push-ups and curl-ups) and one cardiorespiratory event (3,7,9). The PRT must be administered in the following order: curl-ups, push-ups, and a cardiorespiratory event (3,7,9). All events must be completed on the same day, with 2 – 15 min between each event (3,7,9). Both curl-ups and push-ups are repeated as many times as possible in two minutes and are monitored by the CFL and/or ACFL (7). The 1.5-mi run and/or walk must be completed as quickly as possible and is graded corresponding to the time of completion recorded by the CFL (7). The CO determines whether or not members will be allowed to use the treadmill, stationary bike, or swim option for the PRT (3,5,7,9,10). Other forms of cardio include a 1.5-mi run on a treadmill, 500-yd or 400-m swim, and a 12-min stationary bike test that measures caloric output (3,5,7,9). Event procedures are physically demonstrated and verbally described before each trial. Any sailor who fails to meet those guidelines will forfeit the event and be graded off of the repetitions or time completed (7). Scoring standards can be found in Sections 4 and 5 in Guide 5 in The Physical Readiness Test of the Navy Physical Readiness Program Handbook (7).

Members must perform and pass all three events to receive an overall score, which is given as a category-level corresponding to the average of points accumulated on PRT events (7). The results of both the BCA and PRT are used to create an overall score for the PFA cycle (3,5,6,7). The PRT is failed when a sailor does not achieve “probationary” or better for any PRT event; provided they were not medically waived (7). Moreover, if a member attempts and fails to complete a cardiorespiratory event, it will be considered a PRT failure (7). A failure of either the BCA or PRT component constitutes a PFA failure (3,8). Members with one or more PFA failures are subject to administrative actions (3,8,10). Those who fail the BCA and/or PRT are automatically enrolled in FEP (2,3,8,10). Participation in FEP is mandatory until the sailor passes the next regularly scheduled PFA cycle with a “good” or better score (3,10). Multiple PFA failures on record will immediately impact a sailor’s advancement ability and, in some cases, will result in being separated from the Navy (3,8,10).

Fitness Enhancement Program (FEP)

FEP is a command-wide program offered to improve fitness and nutrition habits for sailors who struggle to meet PFA standards (10). Moreover, a command member is enrolled into the program in one of two ways: 1) failure of a PFA or 2) voluntary enrollment regardless of PFA scores (3,8,10). Each member enrolled in FEP must select a nutrition option based on the needs of the individual, and is required to track PT sessions and body weight on a weekly basis (10). FEP training sessions are designed and led by CFLs, ACFLs, and/or Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) Fitness Specialists (10). It is important to note that although MWR Fitness Specialists can assist with programming, the CFL is responsible for administering all aspects of the program (3,10). Although sailors should maintain a year-round level of physical fitness capable of passing a PRT at any given time, adhering to the Navy’s motto of “always ready,” it can help the TSAC-F to have a focused peaking or preparatory program in place for those sailors who may be lacking in one or more areas of testing within the PRT. The TSAC-F should be aware of potential challenges that may prevent the use of a multi-week progression plan. Examples include a member’s change of command, temporary assigned duty (TAD), military-service school schedules, deployments, and shorter underway at-sea periods.

Appendix A is an example of a scalable, 10-week progressive training program designed to help struggling sailors with enhancing their PRT performance and overall PFA score. This example will only highlight one single training session, which can be repeated 2 – 3 times per week. This training program can be used by sailors enrolled in FEP, assuming no orthopedic contraindications have been noted by command medical personnel. CFLs and FEP members should also seek nutritional advice from a RD or the other programs mentioned above to maximize the effectiveness of this program and to improve BCA results if weight management is also an issue for a particular sailor.

UNCLASSIFIED ROUTINE R 031159Z AUG 15 FM CNO WASHINGTON DC TO NAVADMIN INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC BT

UNCLAS

NAVADMIN 178/15

MSGID/GENADMIN CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/AUG//

SUBJ/PHYSICAL READINESS PROGRAM POLICY CHANGES//

REF/A/MSG/SECNAV WASHINGTON DC/121505ZJUN15// REF/B/DOC/OPNAV/11JUL11// REF/C/DOC/DODI/5NOV02// NARR/REF A IS ALNAV 050/15, DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY TALENT MANAGEMENT INITIATIVES.  REF B IS OPNAVINST 6110.1J, PHYSICAL READINESS PROGRAM. REF C IS DODINST 1308.3, DOD PHYSICAL FITNESS AND BODY FAT PROGRAMS

PROCEDURES.

RMKS/1.  This NAVADMIN enumerates changes to the Physical Readiness Program (PRP) as announced in reference (a).  Physical Fitness Assessments (PFAs) should be designed and implemented to assess an individual Sailors health and mission readiness.  The current PFA model enforces maximum body fat percentages and minimum physical readiness scores, but falls short on evaluating a Sailors overall health, and does not adequately reflect the challenges unique to sea duty and the increasingly technical nature of our jobs.  The intent of these changes is to strike a better balance between

health and physical readiness.

2.  Amplifying instructions for Cycle 2 2015 (1 July 2015 to 31 December 2015):  Cycle 2 2015 will continue to be administered in accordance with reference (b) with the following changes:     a.  Physical Activity Risk Factor Questionnaire (PARFQ):  The PARFQ process is unchanged.  All Sailors will complete a PARFQ as outlined in reference (b).     b.  Body Composition Assessment (BCA):  Changes to the BCA are as follows:         (1) BCA measurements taken in Cycle 2 2015 will be recorded for monitoring purposes only using the current methodology and BCA standards outlined in reference (b).         (2) All BCA data will continue to be recorded in the Physical Readiness Information Management System (PRIMS), regardless of outcome.         (3) BCA measurements exceeding current standards, as outlined in reference (b), during Cycle 2 2015 ONLY will not count as a Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) failure.  Sailors who exceed current standards shall be enrolled in the Fitness Enhancement Program (FEP) and in nutritional counseling.     c.  Physical Readiness Test (PRT):  The PRT will continue to be administered in accordance with reference (b).  PRT failures incurred during Cycle 2 2015 will be documented in PRIMS and count as PFA failures.  PRT changes are as follows:         (1) All medically cleared Sailors shall participate in the PRT regardless of BCA outcome.         (2) If a Sailor is not medically cleared to participate in the PRT, this shall be annotated on Medical Waiver Form 6110/4.  A Medical Evaluation Board shall be initiated if required in accordance with reference (b).     d.  Spot Checks:  Commanding officers will conduct PFA spot checks. BCA and PRT failures incurred during a spot check will not count toward administrative separation, but may result in FEP enrollment to ensure success during the next official PFA.     e.  Fitness Enhancement Program (FEP):  The FEP will continue to be administered in accordance with reference (b) or when commanding officers

deem it necessary.

3.  Effective 1 January 2016 (Cycle 1 2016), the following changes to reference (b) will go into effect:     a.  Physical Activity Risk Factor Questionnaire:  An updated PARFQ form will better assist medical providers in assessing a Sailors overall health.  Details will be provided via SEPCOR.     b.  Body Composition Assessment (BCA) Methodology:  The new method for measuring BCA will consist of a three-step process.  A Sailor who is medically cleared to participate in the PRT shall do so regardless of his or her BCA results under any of the three steps discussed below.         (1) Step 1:  Apply the current height/weight tables per reference (b) to a Sailor.  If the Sailor is within height/weight standards, he or she will pass the BCA, steps 2 and 3 will not apply, and he or she will not be required to enroll in FEP.  If the Sailor does not meet the height/weight standard, proceed to step 2.         (2) Step 2:  Apply a single-site abdominal circumference measurement.  Scientific evidence indicates that individuals are at increased risk for health problems such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer if their abdomen exceeds a certain circumference.  Thus, a single-site abdominal circumference measurement will assist in identifying Sailors who are at risk for health problems.  A Sailor will pass the BCA if abdominal circumference is less than or equal to 39.0 inches for males and less than or equal to 35.5 inches for females.  If the Sailor exceeds the abdominal circumference measurement, proceed to step 3.         (3) Step 3:  If the Sailor exceeds the height/weight screen of step 1 and the abdominal circumference measurement screen of step 2, a body circumference measurement shall be conducted.  Apply the body circumference measurement technique to determine body fat percentage per reference (b).  The Sailor will pass the BCA by meeting the Department of Defense (DoD) maximum allowable body fat limit of less than or equal to 26 percent for males or DoD maximum body fat limit of less than or equal to 36 percent for females outlined in reference (c).  The Sailor will fail the BCA only if the Sailor does not meet any of the standards employed in steps 1, 2, or 3 and shall be evaluated by a medical provider, enrolled in FEP, and provided nutritional counseling.  All Sailors who are medically cleared, regardless of BCA results, shall take the PRT.  A BCA failure will constitute an overall PFA failure for the cycle regardless of PRT results.     c.  The Body Circumference Technique currently employed under reference (b) will continue to be used to determine body fat percentage.  The new Body Fat Standards will be graduated by age, reflecting a more realistic approach in accordance with DoD guidance, which is consistent with the American Medical Association and American Council on Exercise Standards.  This approach will allow more Sailors to participate in the PRT portion of the PFA. New Navy Body Fat Percentage Standards based on a graduated scale that increases with a Sailors age:         (1) Males:  18-21 = 22 percent, 22-29 = 23 percent, 30-39 = 24 percent, 40+ = 26 percent.         (2) Females:  18-21 = 33 percent, 22-29 = 34 percent, 30-39 = 35 percent, 40+ = 36 percent. Any Sailor who exceeds the Navy?s updated graduated body fat standards set forth above shall be enrolled in FEP.         (3) The Physical Readiness Program Operating Guides will be updated and Command Fitness Leaders will be trained on how to accurately conduct the single site abdominal circumference measurement.         (4) In summary, effective 1 January 2016, a Sailor will have three options regarding BCA measurement:  height/weight screening, single-site abdominal circumference measurement, and the body circumference measurement.     d.  Physical Readiness Test (PRT):  The PRT will continue to be administered in accordance with reference (b).  All Sailors cleared by their medical providers through the Physical Health Assessment (PHA) and PARFQ processes shall take the PRT, regardless of BCA outcome.     e.  Fitness Enhancement Program (FEP):  Sailors shall be enrolled in FEP for any of the following reasons:         (1) Exceeding the updated graduated Navy Body Fat Standards; or         (2) Failing any portion of the PRT. Sailors enrolled in FEP due to BCA failure shall also be enrolled in nutritional counseling.  All Sailors enrolled in FEP will be required to participate in a mock PFA every 30 days.  Failures incurred during a mock PFA will not count as official failures.  A Sailor will be disenrolled from FEP when he or she passes the PRT and is within the new Navy BCA standards.     f.  PFA Failure Determination for Administrative Separation Processing:  Effective 1 January 2016, all PFA (BCA or PRT) failures in the most recent 3- year period will be reset to one failure.  A Sailors most recent failure will carry over to Cycle 1 2016.  Note: A Cycle 2 2015 BCA failure will not count as a carry-over failure, but a PRT failure incurred in Cycle 2 2015 will count as a carry-over failure.     g.  Administrative Separation Policy Guidance:         (1) Effective 1 January 2016, a Sailor who fails two PFA cycles in the most recent 3-year period shall be processed for administrative separation.  Failing either the BCA or the PRT will constitute a PFA failure for the cycle in which it is incurred.         (2) Effective immediately, a Sailor subject to an approved or pending administrative separation due to multiple PFA (BCA or PRT) failures, who has not yet been separated, shall be offered the opportunity to be retained.  A Sailor who desires to separate from the Navy will continue processing for administrative separation.  A Sailor who desires to be retained must notify his or her commanding officer, be medically cleared to participate in the PRT, and pass either a mock or the official PRT before 1 December 2015.  All mock PFA data shall be recorded in PRIMS under the FEP tab in each Sailors profile.  A Sailor who does not meet present Navy BCA requirements as outlined in reference (b)  must be cleared by his or her medical provider to participate in the Cycle 2 2015 PRT.             (a) If the Sailor is not medically cleared to participate in the PRT, this shall be annotated on Medical Waiver Form 6110/4. A Medical Evaluation Board shall be initiated if required in accordance with reference (b).  If a Sailor failed the Cycle 1 2015 BCA, the Sailor shall be automatically enrolled in FEP.             (b) During FEP, the Sailor shall participate in a mock PFA every 30 days.  The deadline to pass either a mock or the official PRT is 1 December 2015.             (c) If a Sailor does not pass either a mock or the official PRT by 1 December 2015, the failure will be recorded in PRIMS.  If a Sailor who was pending administrative separation as of 1 July 2015 does not pass either a mock or the official PRT by 1 December 2015, he or she will continue to be processed for administrative separation.  A Sailor who fails any portion of the PRT during Cycle 2 2015 will incur a failure for the PFA, and the failure will count toward administrative separation.  The current Navy administrative separation standard of three failures in the most recent four-year period will continue in effect through 31 December 2015.             (d) Effective 1 January 2016, all PFA failures in the most

recent 3-year period will be reset to one failure.

4.  Future Planned Changes:     a.  Developing a Navy-wide Registered Dietician (RD) utilization plan;     b.  Enhancing SHIPSHAPE and encouraging approved civilian diet programs;     c.  Establishing Go for Green healthy-eating ashore and at sea;     d.  Providing more support for post-partum Sailors to re-attain or exceed previous fitness goals;     e.  Wearable-fitness device studies to monitor physical output and rest;     f.  Enhance Physical Readiness Test; and

    g.  Fitness awards for Sailors who score outstanding.

5.  In the long-term, the Navy strives to move away from PFA testing as a calculation of BCA maximums and PRT minimums, to a more realistic measure of health, fitness, and mission readiness.  To do this, the Navy will incorporate methods of assessing sleep patterns, activity, nutrition, and

genetic risk factors.

6.  For questions, please contact the Physical Readiness Program Help Desk at (901) 874-2210/DSN 882 or via e-mail at navyprt(at)navy.mil. Physical Readiness Program polices, operating guides and FAQs can be found on the NPC

21st Century Sailor web page https://www.npc.navy.mil/bupers-

7.  Released by Vice Admiral W. F. Moran, N1.//

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