What happens to a NSW/NSO candidate who fails the 14-day PST?

When a Navy Special Warfare (NSW) or Navy Special Operations (NSO) candidate fails the 14-day Physical Screening Test (PST), they face a significant consequence regarding their career path. The correct answer indicates that the candidate must be reclassified into another rating. This policy is in place because the PST is a critical evaluation that ensures candidates possess the necessary physical fitness and readiness for the demanding roles within NSW/NSO.

Failing the PST demonstrates that the candidate may not meet the required fitness standards for these specialized positions, thus necessitating a change in their career trajectory. Rather than being given opportunities to retake the test immediately or being promoted, the structural integrity of the selection process requires candidates to pursue alternative ratings that align with their physical capabilities at that time.

This approach also reinforces how essential physical readiness is within NSW/NSO roles, steering candidates towards a path where they can still serve effectively in the Navy, albeit in a different capacity suited to their current fitness level.