PFA
CY23 PFA NAVADMIN
BLUF – This NAVADMIN announces a single Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA)
Cycle for calendar year (CY) 2023. There will be no excellent or above incentive exemption for CY23.
ROUTINE
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NAVADMIN 251/22
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FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1//
INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1//
MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/NOV//
SUBJ/PHYSICAL READINESS PROGRAM CALENDAR YEAR 2023 PHYSICAL FITNESS
ASSESSMENT CYCLE ANNOUNCEMENT//
REF/A/DOC/OPNAV/22APR22//
REF/B/DOC/OPNAV/APR21//
REF/C/DOC/OPNAV/FEB22//
REF/D/DOC/BUPERS/01DEC21//
REF/E/DOC/OPNAV/JAN22//
NARR/REF A IS OPNAVINST 6110.1K, PHYSICAL READINESS PROGRAM INSTRUCTION.
REF B IS NAVY PHYSICAL READINESS PROGRAM GUIDE 4, BODY COMPOSITION
ASSESSMENT.
REF C IS NAVY PHYSICAL READINESS PROGRAM GUIDE 5, PHYSICAL READINESS TEST.
REF D IS BUPERSINST 1610.10F, NAVY PERFORMANCE EVALUATION SYSTEM.
REF E IS NAVY PHYSICAL READINESS GUIDE 8, MANAGING PFA RECORDS FOR PREGNANT
SAILORS//
RMKS/1. This NAVADMIN announces a single Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA)
Cycle for calendar year (CY) 2023.
1. CY23 PFA Cycle. The PFA cycle will be conducted from 1 February to 30
November 2023 in line with references (a) through (c).
Additional Physical Readiness Guides are located at:
https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Support-Services/21st-Century-
Sailor/Physical-Readiness/Guides/. CY23 PFA cycle will be labeled *PFA Cycle
1 2023* in PRIMS-2.
a. CFLs and Assistant CFLs (ACFL) will enter official CY23 PFA cycle
results under this label in PRIMS-2 and retain official body composition
assessment and physical readiness test score sheets for five years in line
with reference (a). CFL and ACFLs are reminded to log into their PRIMS-2
account every 30 days to keep their account from being deactivated.
b. Sailors have access to their physical readiness historical data
through MyNavy Portal, My Records and will electronically submit their
Physical Activity Risk Factor Questionnaire via MyNavy Portal upon receiving
their commands 10-week notification.
c. There will be no excellent or above incentive exemption for CY23. In
line with reference (a), commanders, commanding officers, and officers-in-
charge are encouraged to use incentive programs for the physical readiness
program (special liberty, award certificates, etc.).
d. Fitness Report and Evaluation Guidance. In line with reference (d),
commands should enter a 1-letter code indicating the result of each official
PFA conducted during the reporting period in block 20. Format for block 20
must be from oldest to most recent PFA performed during the reporting period.
2. Responses to Fleet Feedback. The following items are provided for
clarification to frequently asked questions:
a. CY22 PFA Closeout. CFLs must enter PFA data by 30 November
2022 in PRIMS-2.
b. Postpartum Sailors. In line with references (a) and (e), Sailors
remain in a pregnancy status from the time pregnancy is confirmed by a
military Health Care Provider (HCP) or civilian HCP until the end of the 12
months following a qualifying birth event.
Sailors with pregnancy (postpartum) status which expires during the official
PFA cycle are exempt from participation in the PFA cycle.
3. For additional information, members may contact the Physical Readiness
Program Office:
a. For policy related questions via e-mail at PRP(at)navy.mil.
b. For PRIMS-2 related questions via e-mail at PRIMS(at)navy.mil.
c. For policy or PRIMS-2 related questions via phone at (901) 874-2210/
DSN 882.
4. This NAVADMIN will remain in effect until superseded or canceled,
whichever occurs first.
5. Released by Vice Admiral Richard J. Cheeseman, Jr., N1.//
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Updated Physical Readiness Program Info
Here is a new NAVADMIN that changes to a single cycle for 2021 from JUL-DEC and a more helpful fact sheet:
Here is a Navy Times article as well:
Fitness Standards for New PFA
While I had posted on the new PFA with planks and rows, I don’t think I had posted the new standards, which are in this file:
The New PFA Has Arrived
Local conditions permitting (as it relates to the COVID-19 pandemic), the Navy will be conducting only one PFA in 2021 (beginning in March 2021). Also of interest, planks will replace curl-ups (sit-ups) and the rowing machine will be an alternative method of performing the cardio portion of the PRT. Please see the NAVADMIN, other supporting documents, and the CNP’s message below for specifics.
From: Nowell, John B Jr VADM USN (USA)
Sent: Wednesday, November 18, 2020 7:18 PM
Subject: PFA Changes: CY 2021 Cycle
Admirals and Senior Leaders,
Earlier today, I released the attached NAVADMIN 304/20 – Physical Readiness Program Policy Changes – CY2021 Cycle, Plank and Rower Modalities. This NAVADMIN announces a single Physical Fitness Assessment cycle in calendar year 2021, beginning 15 March and ending NLT 15 September 2021.
Shifting the PFA cycle to March allows Navy to execute the PFA after the primary influenza season, while also leveraging outdoor venues as the weather warms for the conduct of the test.
Echelon II Commanders may waive the PFA cycle 2021 requirements if COVID-19 conditions prevent commanders from executing safely. It also authorizes the resumption of group physical training (Command/Department/Division PT, FEP) when authorized by the appropriate Echelon II commander. This authority may be delegated to the first flag officer in the chain of command.
Additionally, as previously announced to the Fleet, this NAVADMIN implements new fitness modalities as part of the Navy Physical Readiness Program. The forearm plank and 2000-meter (m) row are officially incorporated into the Navy Physical Readiness Test (Infographics attached).
The forearm plank has replaced the curl-ups as the abdominal muscular endurance assessment. The forearm plank is a better test of core strength and abdominal muscular endurance. The repeated spinal flexion movement of the curl-up is not operationally relevant, may aggravate low back injuries, and does not strongly challenge the abdominal musculature—also the forearm plank has the additional benefit as being a much safer test amidst a COVID environment. Service Members who do not meet the minimum passing score for the forearm plank modality will not receive a “fail” score for the 2021 cycle PRT only. However, Service Members must still pass the BCA, the push-up and cardio modalities of the PRT.
The 2000-m row on the “Concept-2 Rower” will serve as another alternate cardio option in addition to the 12-min stationary cycle, 500-yd/450-m swim and 1.5-mile treadmill run. The 2000-m row is a non-weight bearing, low impact exercise, which reduces stress on the legs. More importantly, rowing provides a great full-body cardio workout because it engages 80 percent of the body’s musculature. Similar to the stationary cycle, the Concept-2 Rower is space saving and can be used on any naval vessel or installation.
I ask your help in getting the word out to your leadership teams. Standing by for questions or concerns.
V/r, John
VADM John B. Nowell, Jr.
Chief of Naval Personnel (CNP)
Here’s a link to a Navy article:
The Navy’s New Fitness Test is Here – What You Need to Know
Here’s also a Military.com article on the same:
Goodbye Curl-Ups: Navy Releases New PRT Rules for Planks and Rowing
Joel Schofer's Career Planning Blog 