{"id":22627,"date":"2021-06-16T19:45:45","date_gmt":"2021-06-16T19:45:45","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/06\/16\/forearm-plank-scores-wont-count-in-this-years-prt-navy-emphasizes\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T19:09:15","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T19:09:15","slug":"forearm-plank-scores-wont-count-in-this-years-prt-navy-emphasizes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/navytimes\/news\/your-navy\/2021\/06\/16\/forearm-plank-scores-wont-count-in-this-years-prt-navy-emphasizes\/","title":{"rendered":"Forearm plank scores won\u2019t count in this year\u2019s PRT, Navy emphasizes"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

In a bit of good news for any sailors who let their core get a bit \u201cunsat\u201d during the pandemic, Big Navy will not count a sailor\u2019s forearm plank score<\/a> in the upcoming round of physical fitness assessments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chief of Naval Personnel Vice Adm. John Nowell confirmed the policy change during a Facebook townhall <\/a>event Wednesday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe do understand, gang, that we have not done the (physical readiness test) since 2019,\u201d Nowell said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gyms were closed and \u201cwe got out of our routine,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cFor me personally, I was running up and down the stairs in my empty headquarters building to try and stay in shape,\u201d Nowell added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, as PRT season gets underway next month, sailors will be expected to plank \u2014 it\u2019s replacing the sit-up\u2014but that score won\u2019t count as part of their PRT score, Nowell explained.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Instead, Big Navy will collect the plank scores for this round to help ensure their scoring tables are accurate.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWe\u2019re not going to count that one against you this first cycle because we want to make sure we get it right,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is the first time that planks will be used<\/a> instead of sit-ups.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Push-ups and aerobic scores will be counted on the upcoming PRT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Nov. 18, 2020, naval administrative message<\/a> first notified sailors of the temporary plank exception.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cService Members who do not meet the minimum passing score for the forearm plank modality will not receive a *fail* for the 2021 cycle PRT only,\u201d according to the NAVADMIN. \u201cHowever, Service Members must still pass the [body composition assessment], the push-up and cardio modalities of the PRT. Failure to do so will result in a *fail* for PFA cycle 2021.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fleet Master Chief Wes Koshoffer encouraged commands to do what they can as the six-month PRT season commences, including \u201ccourtesy measurements,\u201d mock tests or command PT, \u201cjust to help sailors get moving again.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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