Physical Readiness Test

I have a concern about the PRT and would appreciate some insight. I am confident in the pushups and planks, but the 1.5 mile run worries me. I have been training for some time, but as a natural sprinter, I still struggle to fit within the passing time frame. I am a few seconds slower than the minimum time. Would I be in risk of being separated from USNA? Or would the remedial program help me out? Any response is appreciated.

The short answer is, yes, you can be separated for failing the PRT. However, USNA will give you several attempts. They invested a lot in you, and want you to succeed.

I wouldn't worry about it. I am assuming you are an incoming Plebe? If so, you will be grouped accordingly based on your run times during PS. You will get plenty of training time.

You will run much faster by the end of summer - MUCH faster.

There is remedial training if you do not meet the requirements during the first week right?

RyanHinrichs6 said:

There is remedial training if you do not meet the requirements during the first week right?

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You will do a run very early during PS. Then you will be placed in groups, by speed. You will change groups as your speed changes. Trust the process. You'll be ready.

My iPRT was an 11:59 and my end of plebe summer PRT was 10:22

You get a couple of tries at it. You'll be fine.

You'll be fine during PS. The key will be Ac Year. As a mid, you take the PRT twice a year and have to pass each element each time.

If you're not involved in sport that requires a lot of running, it's incumbent on you to get yourself into shape to pass. If you're not good at the 1.5 mile run (and I was a terrible runner), you need to focus on it just like an academic class. On the plus side, there is lots of help so (just as with academics), if you take advantage of it and put effort into it, you should be fine.

You'll do fine with all the training and help you get. And the good news is that as you get older the requirements drop. DS will be 20 soon so his max scores drop. And long term if you remain active duty you can substitute the running with other aerobic exercises like rowing or biking. I for one can't run well but I can row up a storm (I'm not AD I only know because a friend who is was explaining what he does).

usna1985 said:

You'll be fine during PS. The key will be Ac Year. As a mid, you take the PRT twice a year and have to pass each element each time.

If you're not involved in sport that requires a lot of running, it's incumbent on you to get yourself into shape to pass. If you're not good at the 1.5 mile run (and I was a terrible runner), you need to focus on it just like an academic class. On the plus side, there is lots of help so (just as with academics), if you take advantage of it and put effort into it, you should be fine.

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All of this! You will be fine PS. It’s the after. The fact you know this is an issue means it’s something you need to focus on and make time to focus on during the Ac year. Find a running partner to hold you accountable and push yourself. You don’t want to be on remedial. You also can be separated for this. Learn the 7 Ps and live by then and you will be fine.

DS was not a runner, and had to train hard for the CFA, and continued to train during the AC year. Running partner helped, friends at the finish line helped, and during plebe summer, running with a group was mentally positive. Something about herd mentality made him run faster. Stay healthy (chin splint) wise and dedicate the time as others have mentioned.

My son is a 'pacer' for Mids running in the PRT. He sees many Mids suddenly training at the track only a week before every PRT. Don't be that person. You can't cram for a PRT run like you can for an exam.

The gameday factor is definitely noticeable... or at least is was for me. Plebe Summer gives one a good base to build off if you maintain a regular fitness regimen. You will have many morning workouts as a Plebe that vary from field-type trainings (log PT, boots and utes runs, bear crawls, etc.) to PRT oriented workouts. If you need help on a routine, good runners in your company usually are good not by mistake. They have been running for years and know what works. A good running program combines intervals, tempo runs (runs near race pace for a few miles) and long distance slow runs. The Human Performance Lab also has good routines that incorporate cross-training. The Midshipman Development Center also has a sports psychologist and dietician on staff. They are good resources. A lot of people have the physical ability to run the PRT, but they psych themselves out. Also, some people inadequately fuel their body. King Hall food is hit and miss. The government is required to give you a certain amount of calories for a certain cost. The food was okay in my opinion, but not always the healthiest.

The USNA mission is to develop midshipmen mentally, morally, and physically. Development doesn't mean you're awesome immediately. USNA has resources/processes for development in all three mission areas to get you where you need to be come commissioning.

Two things to do post-PS:

First, take advantage of the support available, whether it be informal mid groups or the formal remedial program or something in between. Know that the remedial program is required of certain mids who fall short, and it takes valuable time from other obligations. So while helpful, you’d rather avoid it.

Second, run regularly, say 3-4 times per week. It’s much easier to stay in shape than to get in shape a week or two before the PRT. Especially because you never know what might have to take priority during those one or two weeks.

DD arrived at USNA a so-so runner. She was a solid HS athlete and was on a USNA club team, but her sports didn’t emphasize running. So she had to work at it. But she got to the point of being a coach for the remedial program, and logging 8-, 9- and 10-mile runs on weekends with her club teammates. This was during Covid, mind you, so a lot of laps and loops inside the Yard. USNA has a way of turning non-runners into runners.

If you fail the PRT during the ac year you are sent to a training program every morning until you pass it. However failing it hurts your order of merit significantly, generally you fall hundreds of spots. Don't put yourself in that position, put in the work early so you're not struggling to pass. If you're concerned after plebe summer, talk to your company PMO or traino