New Navy Policy Prevents Automatic Career End for Sailors Who Fail Fitness Tests

The United States Navy has recently announced a new policy that will prevent sailors who fail two consecutive physical fitness assessments (PFAs) from having their careers automatically terminated. This will replace the previous system where a single failed PFA resulted in loss of promotion eligibility, while two consecutive failures meant a career-ending outcome.

Revised Policy Description

The new policy enables commanding officers to evaluate a sailor’s fitness progress or lack of progress. The aim is to give commanders the ability to manage risks, recognize earnest efforts, and take care of their personnel. This policy aims to revamp the culture of leadership and service in the Navy, modernizing their PFA policy to acknowledge a diverse population and enhance the quality of service.

Under this new policy, enlisted sailors’ retention eligibility regarding their qualification for continued service, ability to contribute to Navy missions, and likelihood of improvement in meeting PFA standards within the next 12 months will be at the discretion of the CO. Sailors who fail any PFA no longer have to have it noted on their annual evaluation, and enlisted members who fail their second consecutive PFA will no longer receive the lowest possible score in the “Military Bearing/Professionalism” category, nor be denied the ability to reenlist.

Impact of the New Policy

The new policy is part of a series of changes to the fitness test that the Navy has made in recent years. In November, the Navy decided to eliminate the postpartum PFA, typically taken within a year after giving birth. Furthermore, to reduce administrative burden, the Navy has been conducting only one PFA per year since the COVID-19 pandemic began. This move will continue until 2025. Although some people have criticized the Navy’s shift in fitness standards, officials have said that the number of sailors who fail PFAs remains very low. According to Navy figures, in 2017 nearly 98% of sailors passed the PFA, and when the service had its first post-pandemic PFA in 2022, 95.1% of sailors passed. Officials have also noted that some changes, such as having only one PFA per year, came at the request of fleet commanders.

Conclusion

The Navy’s recent announcement is a policy shift that acknowledges the diverse population and enhances the quality of service. The new policy grants commanding officers discretion over their sailors’ retention eligibility. This step aims to recognize earnest efforts, manage risks, and best take care of Navy personnel. The latest update will go a long way in creating a more positive culture of leadership and service within the Navy.

Originally Post From https://www.military.com/daily-news/2024/06/20/sailors-who-fail-2-consecutive-fitness-tests-will-no-longer-face-end-of-their-career-navy-says.html

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