Navy Shore Enterprise introduces modernized Presidential Fitness Test

WASHINGTON — Commander, Navy Installations Command is rolling out a modernized version of the Presidential Fitness Test across Navy bases worldwide this month, opening a standardized youth fitness assessment to children and teens in military families.

The initiative aims to promote lifelong health, resilience, and regular physical activity among young people by giving them a structured way to set goals, track progress, and build confidence. From September through December, installations will stage their first local events under a partnership between Navy Child and Youth Programs and Morale, Welfare and Recreation Fitness, blending youth development and professional fitness expertise to create inclusive opportunities regardless of whether a base has a dedicated youth center.

“Our Navy’s strength starts at home,” said Vice Adm. Scott Gray, Commander, Navy Installations Command. “When Navy families are supported, fleet readiness is stronger. Through the Shore Enterprise, we are creating positive, structured opportunities for young people to stay active, build confidence, and develop healthy habits that strengthen both our families and our force.”

The assessment centers on three pillars—core strength, upper-body strength, and cardiovascular endurance—with age-appropriate options. Participants may perform curl-ups or planks for core, push-ups or pull-ups for upper-body work, and either a one-mile run or a 20-meter beep test for endurance. Staff will use results to set baselines, monitor gains, and recognize personal milestones in a supportive Environment.

“Military kids navigate major life transitions with remarkable adaptability, but they still need dependable outlets to stay active and feel accomplished,” said Brent Edwards, CNIC’s youth programs coordinator. “The modernized Presidential Fitness Test gives our staff a reliable framework to engage youth one-on-one, track meaningful progress, and make physical activity an enjoyable, empowering part of their daily routine at Navy installations across the enterprise.”

The enterprise-wide launch follows a four-month pilot from May through August at Naval Station Mayport, Naval Station Norfolk, Naval Air Station Oceana, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, and Naval Base San Diego. Feedback from those sites informed updates to procedures, equipment standards, and communications ahead of full implementation.

Throughout September, CNIC is issuing guidance and hosting training webinars for Child and Youth Programs and MWR Fitness personnel as installations prepare to run their first events before year’s end. The program is intended to offer a consistent outlet for youth navigating the stresses of military life, including permanent change of station moves, school changes, and parental deployments.

“This effort succeeds because CYP and MWR Fitness bring complementary strengths to the mission,” said Tunde Ridley, CNIC’s fitness program branch head. “By pairing trusted youth programming with professional fitness support, we can offer military-connected children consistent opportunities to grow stronger, stay engaged, and build positive habits that carry forward.”

CNIC oversees 10 Navy regions and 71 installations and employs more than 48,600 personnel responsible for shore infrastructure and quality-of-life programs that underpin fleet operations. Navy leaders describe installations as essential warfighting platforms that support manning, training, and equipping the shore to fight and win.