Web-based system helps commands, Sailors track physical fitness performance - Around the Fleet - Physical Readiness Information Management System

All Hands, March, 2004 by Ingrid Mueller

The key to the Navy's physical readiness program is recognizing that total fitness is a crucial element of mission performance. Recent upgrades to the Physical Readiness Information Management System (PRIMS), including enhanced read-only access and reporting procedures, help Navy commands get a true picture of their Sailors' overall fitness, while significantly reducing the administrative workload required to administer the physical readiness program.

"The refinements we are making to PRIMS support the Navy's goal of developing a culture of fitness," said LCDR Mike Criqui, physical readiness program manager, Navy Morale, Welfare and Recreation (MWR) Division, Navy Personnel Command, Millington, Tenn. "Commanding officers, executive officers and command master chiefs can now be assigned read-only access to all the physical readiness program records within their command, which will enable them to get a better look at the overall fitness of their Sailors." Read-only access is available through the command fitness leader (CFL).

All commands are required to report their physical fitness assessment (PFA) data via PRIMS no later than 30 days after conducting the PFA, in accordance with guidelines established in the Navy's Physical Readiness Program instruction, OPNAVINST 6110.1G. When using the Web-based PRIMS, there is no need to provide any additional reports to Navy Personnel Command on command participation in PFAs.

"The purpose of PRIMS is to make the whole administration of the physical readiness program easier for the command and for the individual," explained Criqui. "PRIMS came on line Oct. 1, 2002, and has significantly reduced the command level administrative workload required to administer the physical readiness program. We estimate that PRIMS has reduced record management time by about 30 percent."

CFLs can use PRIMS to update individual records, receive and transfer members' records and create specialized reports for their command. Other features of the system include risk controls, PFA tracking, administrative warnings and fitness enhancement program (FEP) enrollment. Using PRIMS means no more stubby pencils for CFLs, as the system performs the calculations for body fat measurement and computes the overall physical readiness test performance score. Step-by-step instructions for this user-friendly system are available to the CFL through the PRIMS Web site, www.mwr.navy.mil/prims.> "PRIMS also provides the CFL with checks and balances to ensure risk control measures are in place prior to conducting the physical readiness test;' added Criqui, "The system tracks medical screenings and waivers, and will print a list of individuals who are cleared to participate in the physical readiness test, along with a list of those who are not cleared to participate."

Sailors can view their records at any time through the Navy MWR PRIMS Web site at https://prims.persnet.navy.mil/, by using the social security number as the log-in identification and the BUPERS Online (BOL) password as a password. Sailors can obtain a BOL password by visiting the BOL Web site at www.bol.navy.mil/default.asp.> "I encourage each individual to check their record on PRIMS after the PFA has been recorded to make sure it's correct. That way, any discrepancies can be resolved at the command level," said Criqui.

As part of the checks and balances built into the system, CFLs can only make changes to the records of members assigned to their command. In addition, after six months of PFA completion, record changes can only be made by Navy Personnel Command, which requires a letter from the individual's commanding officer granting authorization to make the changes.

"A gaining command cannot edit a record that was input by a previous command, even if it was within six months. You can only edit records from your own UIC (unit identification code)," said Criqui. "So, if a record from a previous command needs to be edited, we need to get a letter from that previous commanding officer to make the change. That's another reason why--especially on a transfer--Sailors should check their records on PRIMS."

For additional information, please visit the Physical Readiness Program Web page at www.mwr.navy.mil/mwrprgms/ physred.htm.

Story by Ingrid Mueller who is assigned to the public affairs office, NoW Morale, Welfare and Recreation Communications Group.