LCDR Broadsmith checks sailors during PT training in HMAS CERBERUS. Picture: ABPH John Mitchell.

Only three per cent of 10,349 personnel who have done the RAN's Physical Performance Test have failed.

The remainder of personnel in uniform (2002 people) are either on current medical waivers or have yet to participate for a variety of reasons.

Staff Officer for Training Resources Management at Naval Personnel and Training Centre-South (NPTC-S) within HMAS CERBERUS, LCDR Ian Broadsmith, who has the administrative management of the physical fitness program, released the figures.
Commending the figures he said it was expected that the three per cent failure rate would fall.

The participation figure was also expected to increase in the next few months, he said.
"There are 12,351 personnel in uniform in the PNF and ANR (CFTS)," he said.

"Since the introduction of the RANPFT in late 1999 the pass rate has continued to grow such that in December 2000 the failure rate was only three per cent and decreasing.

"This indicates an acceptance of the need for physical fitness and its relationship to health, well-being and life in the RAN today.

"Many more of our sailors and officers are taking up sport and fitness training as part of their routine.

"The hardest part is getting started--tying the runners on-and for many the physical fitness test has been the catalyst for change.

"Never-the-less, current policy states that personnel who fail the RANPFT on three consecutive occasions will have their suitability for further retention reviewed.
"No member has yet been subject to this 'three strikes' policy," he said.

As part of the Individual Readiness policy, a pass in the RANPFT is a pre-requisite for award of the Service Readiness Badge.

The RANPFT, which was developed in conjunction with the AIS, is graded according to gender and age and consists of an aerobic component (run or walk or swim), an abdominal strength component (situps) and an upper body strength component ( pushups or flexed-arm hang)