6110
20 Sep 07
COMMANDING OFFICER’S MEMORANDUM 2-07
From: Commanding Officer, NROTC Unit, Virginia Polytechnic Institute and
State University
Subj: PHYSICAL FITNESS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND UNIT PHYSICAL TRAINING
PROGRAM
Ref:
(a) REGULATIONS FOR OFFICER DEVELOPMENT (ROD) FOR THE NAVAL RESERVE
TRAINING CORPS
(b) OPNAV Instruction 6110.1H (Physical Readiness Program)
1. Background. This policy letter outlines the physical fitness performance
standards for all Midshipmen in the Naval Reserve Officers Training Corps
(NROTC) Unit at Virginia Tech. Unless otherwise noted, Midshipman refers to
every student that is a member of the Naval ROTC Battalion, and Physical
Fitness Assessment (PFA) refers to the official PFA administered once each
semester. In addition to the many competing academic priorities, Unit
participants must maintain consistent focus on physical fitness. We will
accomplish fitness goals through promotion of good health and nutrition,
upholding Navy and Marine Corps fitness standards, setting the example, and
supervision. In short, we will promote and ensure physical fitness through
leadership by example. In this demanding academic environment, future
officers must also learn that a good physical fitness regime is part of a
healthy lifestyle. Ultimately, it is an individual’s own personal
responsibility to maintain proper fitness standards.
2. Midshipman Standards. The following PFA performance standards apply to
Navy Option Midshipmen and Officer Candidates in this Unit. (Note: All
Marine Option Midshipmen and MECEP students will participate in the Navy PFA
when conducted as a part of ProLab.)
a. PFA Performance Categories. The following are the performance
“categories” for the U.S. Navy Physical Fitness Assessment:
OUTSTANDING
EXCELLENT
GOOD
SATISFACTORY
Within each performance category, there are 3 performance “levels” that
describe an individual’s specific performance within each of the above
categories. The performance levels are:
HIGH
MEDIUM
LOW
Therefore, an individual’s performance on each event of the PRT is classified
by a combination of category and level, such as GOOD-MEDIUM, or EXCELLENTHIGH, etc.
Subj: PHYSICAL FITNESS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND UNIT PHYSICAL TRAINING
PROGRAM
b. Minimum Standard. Any score below SATISFACTORY-LOW in any category
constitutes a failure of the PFA. An overall PFA score in the SATISFACTORY
category does not constitute a failure of the PFA, but is sufficient grounds
for mandatory participation in the NROTC Unit Remedial PT program. Students
achieving an overall score of less than GOOD (i.e. SATISFACTORY) on the PFA,
regardless of academic year, will be placed on Aptitude Probation and be
assigned to the Unit Remedial PT program.
c. Junior and Senior year Standard. Because of the higher level of
fitness expected of an upperclassman, any student who does not score in the
GOOD-MEDIUM category or better in all 3 events (as well as pass the
height/weight standards) on any PFA during their Junior, Senior, or 5th-year
will be immediately placed on Aptitude probation. A second score below the
GOOD-MEDIUM category on any event will result in immediate assignment to
Remedial PT and a Performance Review Board (PRB), which may result in
Aptitude Leave of Absence (LOA). A third score below the GOOD-MEDIUM
category on any event can result in Disenrollment from the NROTC program.
d. PFA Failure / Substandard Performance. Paragraph 3f, in accordance
with reference (a) details the ramifications of failing the PFA and other
substandard performance in the NROTC physical readiness program. Failure of
the PFA constitutes any of the following, and is grounds for Aptitude PRB and
possible disenrollment:
(1) Score below the SATISFACTORY category on any portion of the
PFA.
(2) Fail height/weight standards or body composition assessment
(BCA).
(3) Unauthorized absence from the scheduled PFA or, if waived, a
“make-up” PFA.
e. Aptitude Probation for Physical Fitness. In order to discourage
recurring physical fitness aptitude lapses, once a student is placed on
Aptitude Probation for physical fitness, he/she will remain on probation for
the duration of their time in the NROTC.
f. Summer Cruise Restrictions. Any student who is on Aptitude Leave of
Absence (LOA) for substandard physical performance will not be authorized by
the Commanding Officer to attend Summer Cruise.
3. Midshipman Physical Training Program. The Unit conducts a physical
training (PT) program designed to (1) encourage and assist students to
maintain appropriate physical fitness standards, (2) facilitate Unit Staff
monitoring of student physical fitness, and (3) promote Unit cohesion and
identity. The program is administered as follows:
a. Unit & Individual PT Standards. As a general statement, regular
physical training is inclusive for all Midshipmen. Two organized (unit) PT
sessions per week of an hour in length (to include 20-30 minutes of
continuous aerobic activity) will be conducted throughout the semester. At
least one additional (individual) PT session will be conducted by every
Midshipman each week, in order to bring the minimum total number of physical
training sessions to 3 per week, which is a standardized Naval Service
requirement. This minimum 3-per week routine should be continued by all
Midshipmen over the semester and summer breaks. The conditions mandating
participation in remedial physical training (Remedial PT), due to substandard
performance on Physical Fitness Assessments (PFAs), are detailed in paragraph
3c below. Marine Option members of the NROTC Unit will participate in a
structured program with Raider Company, directed by the Marine Officer
Instructor (MOI) and the Assistant Marine Officer Instructor (AMOI).
Subj: PHYSICAL FITNESS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND UNIT PHYSICAL TRAINING
PROGRAM
b. Weekly Unit PT. NROTC Battalion PT will be held twice a week during
the semester, on Mondays and Wednesdays. The PT sessions will start promptly
at 0530, with all muster and accountability being complete prior to that
time. Like Remedial PT, failure to attend PT is considered Unauthorized
Absence (UA). All UAs from Company, Battalion, or Remedial PT sessions will
be reported as such on the weekly accountability report provided to the NROTC
Staff. All weekly PT sessions will be run at the company level with the MIDN
Company Commander ultimately responsible for their conduct. Company Advisors
will be present with their respective companies during every PT sessions, in
a safety, advisory and participatory role, but will not be in charge of the
PT session; that is the job of the Midshipman company leadership. Strict
accountability will be maintained during all PT sessions.
c. PFA Scheduling and Assignment to Remedial PT. The NROTC Battalion
will conduct three PFAs per year. An initial "mock" PFA, followed by an
official PFA, will be conducted at the beginning of the Fall Semester. The
third PFA, an official one, will be conducted in April of the Spring
Semester. All Midshipmen, MECEPs, and OCs are required to participate in
each PFA. Those with a schedule conflict or illness will be evaluated during
a “make-up” PFA.
Typically the poorest performances on a PFA occur during
the 1.5-mile run of the PRT. Any student who does not achieve a minimum over
all score of "Excellent Low," with no event below a “Good Medium,” during
either the “mock” or official PFAs will be assigned to the three day a week
Remedial PT program and placed on Aptitude Probation. Sophomores, Juniors,
Seniors, or 5th-year students who do not meet the BCA standards, or fail to
achieve an over all score of “Good Low” will be placed on a five day a week
Remedial PT program and issued an aptitude probation. Students assigned to
remedial PT (both the 3 day a week and the 5 day a week programs) will remain
on remedial PT until they achieve an overall score of at least “Excellent
Low”, with a minimum score of “Good Medium" in each event, on the next
official PFA.
d. Remedial PT Program. Remedial PT will be conducted weekly,
throughout the semester, on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays at 0530. It
will be conducted by the Battalion PT Coordinator, under Unit staff
supervision. Additionally, all Remedial PT participants will be required to
maintain a personal logbook that records their weekly PT sessions, both
personal and Battalion sponsored. The logbooks will be accurately maintained
and presented weekly throughout the semester to the Battalion PT Coordinator
and Class Advisors.
Only AFTER completing an official PFA with an overall score of
“Excellent Low” will the student be removed from the remedial PT program by
the Command Fitness Leader. Only the Command Fitness Leader can remove a
student from the Remedial PT program. This arrangement provides an
opportunity for those Midshipmen who need assistance to attain acceptable
physical performance beyond what they can accomplish on their own. This
criteria also provides an incentive for Midshipmen to maintain physical
fitness standards over the semester and summer break periods.
e. Physical Training Coordinators. A Battalion PT Coordinator will be
assigned by the NROTC Battalion Commander as a member of his staff, and will
be responsible for the conduct and administration of the Remedial PT Program.
Additionally, each Company Commander will assign a ‘Company PT Coordinator’
responsible for planning and executing an aggressive and progressive PT
program, oriented at achieving greater levels of cardiovascular fitness for
the entire company. They will be responsible to the Battalion PT Coordinator
for the accountability of those members of their respective companies who are
on the Unit Remedial PT program. Company PT Coordinators will thoroughly
brief their respective Company Advisor the day prior to the PT evolution.
Subj: PHYSICAL FITNESS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND UNIT PHYSICAL TRAINING
PROGRAM
f. Substandard Physical Performance. The following matrix details the
standards for correcting substandard physical fitness performance while
assigned to NROTC Virginia Tech.
Notes:
* The reason for placing a 2nd-term 4/C student on LOA who has failed
the PRT is to preclude them from being obligated to the program.
In
this instance, the student will be immediately placed on interim LOA
and scheduled for an Aptitude PRB as soon as possible.
** For PRT failure during Freshman (4/C) year, refer to the first 2
rows of the matrix. Thereafter (3/C-year and beyond), PRT failures
apply as indicated. Note: If a student fails both PRTs their Freshman
year (i.e. placed on Aptitude Probation), and then fails again at
anytime after that, the next step in the progression will be Aptitude
LOA. Any further failures after LOA will be grounds for disenrollment.
Subj: PHYSICAL FITNESS PERFORMANCE STANDARDS AND UNIT PHYSICAL
TRAINING PROGRAM
4. Marine Option / MECEP Performance Standards. The following physical
fitness test (PFT) standards apply to Marine Option Midshipmen and MECEP
Students. Navy Option Midshipmen who seek a change to Marine Option must
meet these requirements before they will be considered for change of option.
a. Minimum Standard. To gain a Marine Officer commission, a student must
perform to the First Class standard on the Marine PFT.
b. College Program. Any Marine Option College Program student who does
not achieve a First Class PFT by the end of the second semester of their
first class year will be subject to a PRB, which can result in Probation,
Leave of Absence, or Disenrollment from the NROTC.
c. Scholarship / MECEP. Failure of the PFT will result in a PRB for
scholarship Midshipmen or MECEPs. Failing to meet height/weight standards or
appropriate body composition, may result in a PRB or immediate Aptitude
Probation.
5. Marine Option / MECEP Physical Training Program. The Raider Company of
the NROTC Battalion conducts a physical training (PT) program designed to
encourage and assist Marine Option and MECEP students maintain appropriate
physical fitness standards, monitor student physical fitness, and promote
unit cohesion and identity.
a. Participation. Raider PT is for Marine Option Midshipmen, MECEPS and
any Navy Option Midshipman applying for a Marine Option Scholarship or Change
of Option, and therefore a member of Raiders Company. Raider PT is conducted
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 0530.
b. Periodic Evaluation. Three times a semester the Raider’s Company
will conduct a PFT to monitor the level of fitness of the Marine Option
Midshipmen, MECEPS and those who are seeking to become Marine Option
Midshipmen. Scores will be collected for all Midshipmen in order to monitor
their physical fitness. Midshipmen failing to score at the First Class PFT
level may receive a Letter of Warning or be removed from the Raider’s
program.
6. Unit Physical Training Policy Review. The Unit PT policy shall be
periodically reviewed and updated as changes occur to the Navy and Marine
Corps physical fitness programs. The Unit PT Coordinator will conduct these
reviews and propose changes.
7. Summary. A quality physical fitness program is the responsibility of all
personnel in the Unit, whether Unit Staff or Midshipmen Battalion, from the
most senior to the most junior. We must work together as a team to ensure a
positive and healthy lifestyle while undergoing the rigors of academic life.
Physical fitness is an essential component of the “whole officer” concept and
is therefore the individual student’s responsibility, as is knowing the
ramifications of failing to meet the standards. While we maintain our focus
on mental preparation for future service as Naval Officers, we will not
ignore the importance of physical preparation - officer leadership demands
both.
T. RUBENSTEIN
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