What is the primary purpose of the DEP/OP status?

The primary purpose of the DEP/OP status is to accommodate Sailors who cannot participate in the Physical Readiness Test (PRT) due to deployment or operational commitments. This status recognizes the unique circumstances Sailors may face while serving on deployments, where standard fitness testing may not be feasible due to various operational demands and responsibilities. By providing this status, the Navy ensures that those who are actively engaged in critical missions are not penalized for not participating in the PRT at that time.

This approach maintains the integrity of the fitness program while also acknowledging that operational readiness takes precedence in certain situations. It allows Sailors to focus on their immediate responsibilities without the added stress of physical readiness assessments during deployments, which could be impractical or unsafe given their operational roles.