As a current member of the Navy, this really isn't that shocking to me. I am designated as the "Command Fitness Leader" for my squadron, which basically means I am in charge of ensuring all the fat kids don't fail their PT Test. It's pretty disheartening to maintain a good level of fitness as an individual, and make yourself available for running/workout regimens, but to still be asked prior to every PRT, "What's the minimum for me to pass?" In those Sailors' defense, there are no measurable benefits to doing well on the PRT, as a Satisfactory Score and a Max are all put into your FITREP (Evaluation that basically measures how good or terrible of a military member you are) as a "P." However, just to illustrate that a 16:10 is not a passing score, here are the score charts for males and females age 17-19 (General age of bootcampers). Most score in the good to excellent range out of bootcamp and decline from there.
Navy Male & Female Physical Readiness Test (PRT) Charts
Physical Readiness Test (PRT) Chart for Males: 17-19 Years of Age.
Performance Level: Curl-ups/Push-ups/1.5-mile run
-Maximum: 109/ 92/ 8:15
-Outstanding 102/ 86/ 9:00
-Excellent 90/76/9:45
-Good 62/51/11:00
-Satisfactory 50/42/12:30
Physical Readiness Test (PRT) Chart for Females: 17-19 Years of Age.
Performance Level: Curl-ups/Push-ups/1.5-mile run
-Maximum: 109/ 51/ 9:29
-Outstanding: 102/ 47/ 11:30
-Excellent: 90/ 42/ 12:30
-Good: 62/ 24/ 13:30
-Satisfactory: 50/ 19/ 15:00