HEALTH AND PHYSICAL READINESS PROGRAM

3-11 NAVY DRUG AND ALCOHOL COUNSELOR.—The NDAC provides evaluation and referral services at ATFs. These counselors are responsible for helping commanding officers process individuals identified as drug or alcohol abusers. They also provide individual and group counseling to drug and alcohol abusers. The NDAC is a contact point for commanding officers and individuals seeking help or information on all matters regarding drug and alcohol abuse. ALCOHOL REHABILITATION CENTERS.— The Navy’s ARCs provide a program of intense and comprehensive rehabilitation. ARCs are for active-duty Navy and Marine Corps personnel who are suffering from alcoholism. These centers are naval activities under a commanding officer. Depending on their location, the centers range in capacity from about 75 to over 200 beds. HEALTH AND PHYSICAL READINESS PROGRAM Health and physical readiness are a matter of great concern to the Navy. To ensure the operational effectiveness of the Navy, every member is expected to achieve and maintain standards of physical readiness and participate in a lifestyle that promotes optimal health. This program is designed to support and enhance the physical readiness of all personnel. Physical readiness training is a complete conditioning program designed to reduce excess body fat and develop and maintain flexibility, cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular strength, and the stamina needed to perform routine and emergency tasks. The program is a part of the Navy’s Health Promotion Program. This program includes physical fitness and sports, weight/fat control, nutrition education, high blood pressure identification, stress management, smoking education and prevention, lower back injury prevention, and alcohol/drug abuse prevention. Exercise, Physical Fitness, and Weight Control Each command is required to ensure personnel meet the Navy’s physical readiness standards. All personnel must pass a semiannual Physical Readiness Test (PRT) which consists of meeting height/weight or body fat standards, doing a minimum amount of sit ups and push ups, and running a 1.5 mile run within a set time. Personnel who do not meet the Navy’s standards or fail the PRT are required to participate in a command remedial program. Command remedial programs are coordinated by each command’s fitness coordinator and vary from command to command, but the basic program is controlled through the Physical Readiness and Personal Excellence Program, OPNAVINST 6110.1. Counseling and assistance centers and residential rehabilitation centers are available to help personnel conform to Navy PRT standards. Personnel who continually fail the PRT may be ineligible for promotion or reenlistment or administratively separated from the Navy. All personnel are responsible for maintaining an acceptable state of physical readiness at all times. Participation in a personal physical conditioning program should occur at least three times a week. The individual physical conditioning activities should be at least 40 minutes in duration during which at least 20 minutes is continuous aerobic activity. Commands provide physical fitness and nutrition education through General Military Training (GMT). GMT should stress healthy food choices, exercise, and lifestyle changes. Each base has a Morale, Welfare, and Recreation (MWR) department that coordinates an intramural sports program for all commands attached to the base. The intramural sports program promotes morale and helps personnel obtain and maintain an optimum fitness level. All personnel are encouraged to participate in their base’s intramural sports program. Nutrition Education The primary goal of this program is to help Navy personnel become more fit and healthy. We have Navy remedial programs at the command level, counseling and assistance centers, and naval drug rehabilitation centers. These programs educate, counsel, and treat individuals who do not meet standards. A comprehensive plan guides Navy personnel concerning proper nutrition. Improved training for mess specialists, menu analysis, and increased food options in chow halls are a part of the nutrition education plan. High Blood Pressure Identification The Navy's goal is for all active-duty personnel, dependents, civilians, and retirees to be aware of the risk