Chief Electricians Mate Aaron Niedbalski monitors the time during the 1.5-mile run portion of the Physical Fitness Assessment held aboard Naval Air Station Joint Reserve Base New Orleans. U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 1st Class Shawn Graham.

WHIDBEY ISLAND, WA -- In early March, representatives from the Navy Fitness program office based in Millington, TN, provided information on initiatives and issues related to the physical fitness assessment (PFA), including medical waivers, and the preventive health assessment and physical activity risk factor questionnaires. The summit also addressed questions about the new physical readiness training rules—specifically, the cardio options that offer sailors the chance to use the elliptical and stationary cycle.


“I received the guidelines for using the elliptical machine during the PFA,” says Chief Aviation Machinist Mate Jeffrey Reeder. “Several sailors in my command have asked me questions about that.”

The Navy’s Physical Readiness Program Office presented the seminar at Naval Air Station Whidbey Island to offer the tools and methods for command fitness leaders to improve command-level fitness programs.

“I want to get my command online with the new PFA procedures,” says Aviation Structural Mechanic Equipment 1st Class Jeremy Moncier. “I also want to find new and inventive ways to keep people fit.”

This summit also complimented programs at the base gym designed to help sailors make healthy decisions.

“Take the information you receive here back to your commands,” says NAS Whidbey Island Command Master Chief Francis Bagarella. “Use it to make your fitness programs fun and offer positive encouragement to get your sailors involved.”

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