Air Force fitness program rewards excellent Airmen

Airmen run during physical training at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam on May 7. Airmen who earn an "excellent" on the new fitness test will now only have to test once a year, according to a new revision to the Air Force Fitness Program. U.S. Air Force photo/Staff. Sgt. Nathan Allen

Based upon service wide feedback, Airmen who earn an “excellent” on the new fitness test will now only have to test once a year, according to a revision to the Air Force Fitness Program.

“We believe this will recognize fitness excellence and serve as an incentive for more Airmen to improve their fitness,” said Col. Joan Garbutt, chief of military force policy division.

The revision, which takes effect the same day the new program kicks off on July 1, allows those Airmen who test in all four components of the test and receive an overall score of 90 or better to test only once a year. The four components of the new fitness test include a 1.5-mile timed run, abdominal circumference, push-ups and sit-ups. Prior to this revision, all Airmen were required to test twice a year.

Senior Airman Andres Aponte, 15th Comptroller Squadron physical training leader at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii, said all Airmen should be positively affected by the revision.

“I personally like the Air Force’s efforts on physical fitness,” he said. “I feel as though before we really didn’t shine too much light on PT. Physical training should be a major component in being a war fighting Airmen, no matter what your job is.”

Approximately one of every five fitness scores documented in 2009 was “excellent” for those Airmen who tested in all four categories, said Capt. Sean Brazel, chief of officer promotions, evaluations and fitness policy.

“Factoring in these numbers, we forecast a reduction in the fitness testing workload when this new policy takes effect,” Brazel added.

Aponte said the latest change to the policy should pay dividends.

“I do feel this is a positive amendment to the policy,” he said. “It will motivate a lot of Airmen to score high. However, they should not slack off after their test. The physical well being of all Airmen should be a year-round effort – not just the four months prior to your test.”

Airmen must test under the new standards to qualify for this change. Therefore, only Airmen who test after June 30 will be able to earn the opportunity to do their fitness test once a year. Airmen who score an “excellent,” but were medically exempt from testing in one or more of the four components will still need to test twice a year. In other words, Airmen must successfully complete all four components of the fitness test to qualify for the once a year testing.

“We believe this is another step in the right direction toward cultivating a fitter Air Force,” Garbutt said.

The Human Performance and Rehabilitation Center at Hickam has not yet received official word on the policy change, but understands an official message will reach them in the near future.

(Staff Sgt. Nathan Allen of 15th Wing, Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam contributed to this article.)