WASHINGTON (Sept. 14, 2026) — Commander, Navy Installations Command is launching the modernized Presidential Fitness Test at Navy installations across the Shore Enterprise this month, expanding access to a national youth fitness assessment for military-connected children and teens.
<br> The updated test supports a broader effort to encourage lifelong health, resilience, and active lifestyles among young people. Across the Navy, the initiative will give youth a structured, supportive way to measure progress, build confidence, and stay engaged in physical activity.
<br> From September through December 2026, installations worldwide will host their first local Presidential Fitness Test events through a partnership between Navy Child and Youth Programs (CYP) and Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Fitness. Together, the two programs combine youth development experience and fitness expertise to deliver inclusive, accessible opportunities for military-connected youth.
<br> The Shore-wide rollout is designed to support Navy families by giving young people a consistent outlet as they navigate the demands of military life, including permanent change of station moves, school transitions, and parental deployments. By offering goal-based fitness activities across installations, the program helps participants strengthen healthy habits, develop confidence, and connect with peers in their local Navy communities. The Presidential Fitness Test will be available regardless of whether an installation has a dedicated youth center.
<br> “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.”
<br> The modernized assessment focuses on three core areas of physical fitness, with options tailored to different ages and developmental stages. Youth may complete curl-ups or planks to assess core strength, push-ups or pull-ups to measure upper-body strength, and either a one-mile run or a 20-meter beep test to gauge cardiorespiratory endurance. CYP and MWR Fitness personnel will use the assessment to help participants establish a baseline, monitor improvement over time, and celebrate personal progress in a supportive setting.
<br> “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.”
<br> The enterprise-wide launch follows a four-month pilot conducted from May through August 2026 at five installations: Naval Station Mayport, Naval Station Norfolk, Naval Air Station Oceana, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, and Naval Base San Diego. Feedback from the pilot helped CNIC refine procedures, equipment standards, and communication tools ahead of full implementation.
<br> Throughout September, CNIC is issuing implementation guidance and hosting training webinars for CYP and MWR Fitness personnel to support installations as they prepare to conduct their first local events before the end of the year.
<br> “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.”
<br> Commander, Navy Installations Command is responsible for worldwide U.S. Navy Shore installation management, designing and developing integrated solutions for sustainment and development of Navy shore infrastructure as well as quality of life programs. CNIC oversees 10 Navy regions, 71 installations, and more than 48,600 employees who are focused on warfighting and manning, training and equipping the Shore to fight and win. Navy installations are warfighting platforms essential to every fleet operation.
| Date Taken: | 09.14.2026 |
| Date Posted: | 09.14.2026 14:21 |
| Story ID: | 574631 |
| Location: | WASHINGTON, DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA, US |
| Web Views: | 20 |
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