Overview
- Beginning Jan. 1, 2026, the Navy restores two Physical Fitness Assessment cycles per year, running Jan. 1–June 30 and July 1–Dec. 31.
- Sailors who fail three PFAs in a four‑year window will be mandatorily processed for separation, the failures need not be consecutive, and those with 18–20 years of service are not exempt; a commander‑authorized special PFA can pause separation and restore eligibility if passed.
- All PFA failures prior to Jan. 1, 2026 are wiped for reenlistment, advancement and promotion decisions, though some commissioning and special duty programs may still consider past failures.
- The Body Composition Assessment now starts with a sex‑neutral waist‑to‑height ratio, and sailors outside BCA standards can qualify via a high‑performance route that requires an outstanding‑low overall with excellent‑medium or higher in all three PRT events.
- Sailors in combat arms will complete one PFA and one combat fitness assessment that includes events such as an 800‑meter fin swim, pull‑ups and a 1‑mile run with 20 pounds, while drilling reservists and those on orders under 12 months must complete at least one assessment per year.