After a failed fitness test: what each service's documents say

Failing a fitness test counts differently in each service, and the Marine Corps is the one that looks at consecutive years. A Marine who fails a PFT and a CFT in one year is not considered for separation. A failure in the following year does bring that consideration. The other three services work in retest windows and running counts. Each one has its own hub for the full rules: Army fitness rules, Air Force fitness rules, Marine Corps fitness rules and Navy fitness rules.

Army: 90 days to pass a record test

Army Directive 2025-06 sets the window. A soldier on active-duty orders of more than 60 days, whether Regular Army, Active Guard Reserve or Reserve, must pass a record Army Fitness Test within 90 days of a failure. Other Reserve soldiers have 180 days.

A soldier fails by scoring under 60 points in any one event. ATP 7-22.01 says a soldier who becomes ill or injured mid-test and misses the minimum is a test failure.

A combat specialty soldier who passes the general standard but not the combat standard is subject to reclassification or utilization. The directive ties this to the needs of the Army. The directive also says the Army Fitness Test replaced the older test in policies on separations and flagging. The regulations that set those steps, AR 600-8-2 and AR 635-200, were not read, and the number of retakes allowed is not stated.

The Combat Field Test, which is pass or fail and is required for combat specialties, has its own steps in Army Directive 2026-07. A one-year transition means no administrative action solely because of a failed Combat Field Test. Full implementation begins 365 days after 17 April 2026. A soldier who then fails is flagged and enrolled in reconditioning training. The retake is due within 90 days, or 180 days for some Reserve soldiers. After a failed retest the commander starts reclassification or utilization. Enlisted soldiers who fail two Combat Field Tests in a row are subject to involuntary separation. That applies if they refuse to extend or reenlist for reclassification, or cannot reclassify.

Air Force: next assessment in 3 months

Manual 36-2905 calls a composite of 74.9 or lower, or any missed component minimum, unsatisfactory. An unsatisfactory result makes the next assessment due in 3 months. A member who does not finish is recorded as unsatisfactory too. Enrollment in the Fitness Reconditioning Program must start within 10 duty days, or 60 calendar days for Air Reserve Component members.

Commanders shall not impose an Article 15 solely for failing to achieve a passing score. The manual lists optional administrative actions for a first to a fourth failure. A commander makes a discharge or retention recommendation after four unsatisfactory scores in a 24 month period. A military medical provider must first review the member's records.

Marine Corps: restricted until passed

Paragraph 3.d of Marine Corps Order 6100.13A says a failed PFT makes the fitness report adverse and has proficiency mark effects. It restricts promotion until a test is passed. A page 11 counseling entry is required. A Marine who passes afterward receives the minimum passing score until the next semi-annual period. Marines may take more than one PFT in the current season, which runs from 1 January to 30 June.

The order's Table 1-1 lists separation processing as no for a first failure and yes for a second. It lists reenlistment and special school eligibility as no for both. A change dated 13 March 2019 says to delete that table, yet the 2025 copy of the order still prints it. The documents do not reconcile this.

Navy: Fitness Enhancement Program and three strikes in four years

Guide-1, dated August 2026, enrolls a Sailor who scores Probationary on any one event in the Fitness Enhancement Program. The Sailor stays in it until passing an official assessment with Good-Low or better in every event, which is 60 points. Enlisted Sailors receive a Page 13 entry and officers a Letter of Notification, within 30 days. Drilling Reservists have 60 days.

Active-duty personnel who fail three times in the most recent 4-year period are processed for administrative separation. A command may request an exception. A Sailor who failed the most recent assessment is ineligible for promotion, advancement and frocking. Eligibility returns on passing the next official assessment, or a Special Physical Fitness Assessment approved by the commanding officer.

A commanding officer may grant one Bad Day PRT retest. It must be done within 7 working days of medical clearance, within 45 days of the body composition date and within the current cycle. NAVADMIN 264/25 resets failures before 1 January 2026 to zero for reenlistment, advancement, promotion and continuation decisions.