How many pull-ups are needed for the Merchant Marine Academy?

I'm looking into applying to the Merchant Marine Academy and want to know about the physical fitness requirements. Specifically, how many pull-ups do applicants need to be able to do as part of the admission process? Any other fitness tips or insights would be great!

For the Merchant Marine Academy, there is no exact number of pull-ups that you're required to do for the physical fitness assessment (PFA) during the application process. Rather, you're scored based on your performance across several exercises including the basketball throw, push-ups, sit-ups, pull-ups, and the one-mile run. Your performance, essentially ability and endurance, determines the score more than merely the number of repetitions.

However, I highly advise training and building strength in all of these exercises before the assessment to ensure a competitive score. When it comes to pull-ups, you can focus on gradually increasing your strength through a dedicated training regimen. While the number of pull-ups isn't specified, being able to do more will likely result in a higher score, so aim for as many as you can in one session, ideally more than ten.

In addition, make sure to practice the full range of physical fitness tests and to work on your endurance. Remember, optimal health and fitness involve a routine that spans lots of exercise types, not just pulling up. A balanced diet, plenty of sleep, and a consistent training schedule will all help you succeed in the PFA. Good luck with your preparations and your application!