Commentary - Fitness focus is on keeping you alive, not downsizing

News > Commentary - Fitness focus is on keeping you alive, not downsizing

Fitness focus is on keeping you alive, not downsizing

Posted 10/5/2010

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Commentary by Capt. Darrick B. Lee
35th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

10/5/2010 - MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) -- It's no secret the Air Force has placed a renewed emphasis on physical training lately. Although we've always had a PT program, the recent revisions are the most significant we've seen in the past few years.

Likewise, it's no secret that many Airmen are concerned about keeping up with the revised fitness standards. With the 1.5-mile run now accounting for potentially 60 percent of an Airman's total test score, and with the understanding that a failure in any one area means total test failure, these are valid concerns.

Unrelated, and also not a secret, is the Air Force's ongoing effort to reduce the total number of Airmen force-wide. According to Air Force Personnel Center officials, the force has more people than authorized by Congress. Recent programs, including force shaping and the implementation of high-tenure separations, are aimed at meeting manpower goals.

On the surface, some skeptics might view our renewed focus on fitness as a subtle attempt to help with the manpower reduction efforts. While I don't agree with this view, it is true the current program considers two consecutive PT test failures as potential grounds for discharge.

I think the Airmen who believe this need to spend some time talking with those who have recently returned from a joint expeditionary deployment. If they do, they'll learn what joint expeditionary tasking Airmen already know; If you are not physically fit, there is a real chance you may die while deployed.

The Air Force's increased focus on physical fitness is directly related to the increased number of kinetic-combat roles Airmen are being tasked to perform. The force wants to do all it can to ensure you have the tools you need to work, and survive, while in a combat zone. Aside from your weapon and a sound mind, a fit body is probably the best tool you can have downrange.

Some might think to themselves, "I'm not going to risk pushing myself now. Besides, if I have to deploy, they'll whip me into shape during combat skills training, anyway."

The pre-deployment training we receive helps, but it's unrealistic to believe the challenge of getting in shape for combat begins at CST. The Air Force is trying to create a culture that is focused on being in shape year-round, not just when it's time for a PT test or time to deploy. The intent is to keep you alive, not to kick out Airmen or ensure those who remain are "checking the box."

The 35th Fighter Wing's senior enlisted leader, Chief Master Sgt. Russell Hastings, agrees. He recently expressed a desire to de-emphasize the technical aspects of the new program and to put focus more on fitness in general.

"Clearly, there's a lot of emotion about the program," Chief Hastings said. "But mission readiness is the reason we're doing this. We've got to be able to accomplish the mission. We do need to meet these new standards, but rather than worrying about going on a crash diet to lose an inch, doing the perfect push-up or bringing a calculator to your PT test so you can tally scores mid-run, we need to change our daily mindset to include being fit every day."

I learned the same lesson, the hard way, during a recent deployment.

In 2009, I served as a member of a provincial reconstruction team in Afghanistan. Our team often traveled to remote villages to help build schools, roads, etc. Sometimes, we traveled in vehicles, but when the terrain was too rough, we had to travel on foot.

This was not an easy task based on distance, weather and terrain alone. Add to this the requirement to carry "full battle rattle" (combat gear), and a foot patrol could quickly turn into a real physical fitness test, one I didn't want to fail while outside the wire.

On several occasions during my deployment, fitness was a factor in saving me from being injured or even killed. My most vivid memory is of our PRT taking incoming fire from insurgents while we were on foot, and me frantically running to get to the safety of our mine-Resistant ambush-protected vehicles. A medic was waiting inside the vehicle I was running to. She helped me by quickly opening the heavy MRAP door so I could scramble inside. MRAP doors are opened automatically, but they can sometimes be slow and hard to open. To open them quickly takes extra muscle.

I made it to safety that day, but I know more than a few Airmen who may not have been able to do the same.

Now, whenever I'm running, with my lungs out of breath and my sides hurting, I think to myself, "What if I couldn't run fast enough on that day?"

Whenever I'm doing push-ups, fighting to keep my knees off the ground while hoping my arms can support my own weight, I think, "What if the medic wasn't strong enough to push open that MRAP door to let me in?"

I could have died that day.

I'm not a fitness freak. The truth is that I don't enjoy running. Sit-ups always hurt my back, and push-ups bring back bad memories from boot camp.

But I've promised myself that going into my next deployment, I won't have to wonder "what if," because I'll feel confident knowing the answer before I go.

I ask you to do the same. Abandon any conspiracy theories about why we're re-focusing on fitness, and quit bringing your phone to the PT test loaded with the latest fitness score calculator application. (That's a true story; I've seen it.)

Instead, embrace the new standards. If you don't do it to accomplish the mission, embrace the new standards for a more personal reason; You may very well die if you don't.

Comments

10/15/2010 9:40:19 AM ET
Capt Lee I understand what you were trying to describe on your deployment but when you used the word franticly to describe your run to the MRAP it didn't exactly imply and orderly withdrawl back. Both times I've deployed in combat it was working with Army Infantry. Both of these deployments were done under the old PT standards and both times I had absolutly no problems keeping up. The old standards were fine but these new ones are just dumb. PT standards should be based on your career field and not a one size fits all approach that the AF seems to love. It is also naive to think this isn't about force shaping either. The AF needs to cut people and people don't want to get out because the economy is so bad.

John, FL

10/14/2010 3:33:03 AM ET
The article does nothing more than illustrate the small percent of the Air Force that is filling jobs that they never should be filling. These are jobs that the Army should be doing but can't. I can relate to this since I filled an Army EWO tasking for the Navy. The Navy agreed to fill an Army tasking that the Army couldn't. Since the Navy couldn't fill it I had to fill it as an Air Force member. They gave me 3 weeks of combat training and 4 weeks of formal education to meet this tasking. We all have different physical standards but all of a sudden I'm expected to meet an Army requirement. Does this mean I should meet Army physical standards? That's not what I'm trained for. That's not what they trained me for in 3 weeks. Now lets talk about my AF Fitness Program concerns. I feel the AF Force is more concerned about the red block on the PowerPoint slide than they are about the member. The AF was granted a waiver from the DOD fitness standard when the other services fo (re

wigman, AirForce

10/14/2010 12:33:15 AM ET
It sounds like you may have been sprinting which everyone knows is bad form for the PT test as you end up winded. Next time, I suggest bringing along an iPod to help you keep a good pace.

Joe, Air Force USA

10/8/2010 10:32:58 PM ET
@ MSgt K NM Although I don't know the AF-wide statistics to support my statement I can say that I am aware of at least one statistic that does ... mine. At the time of the incident the only concern I had about statistics was NOT to become one. This commentary attempted to illustrate one instance where not being in shape could have possibly ended tragically. Understanding that, I'm not the only Airman who has ever been placed in harm's way I'm sure you'll agree that even without statistics in a commentary it's likely that more Airmen than I have been in situations where strength speed or stamina were needed to help the mission while deployed. Agreed they may not have needed a 32-inch waist. But my point was that we should acknowledge that our focus should be on getting in shape rather than simply analyzing the technical aspects of the new standards.

Captain Darrick Lee, Misawa Air Base Japan

10/8/2010 6:41:52 PM ET
I would have to say that most of the people that complain about the PT test are out of shape. Believe me I have been there but getting in the shape to pass this test is not going to hurt you it will only help you. Its a mile and a half some push ups and sit ups... deal with it. They even lowered the points for waist and that was probably the biggest complaint for everyone.

N, LAFB TX

10/8/2010 11:55:36 AM ET
I cannot understand why there are so many negative remarks about maintaining a reasonable level of fitness. As a military professional the Airman is expected to be able to perform under a wide variety of circumstances and often times those circumstances change quickly. At that point your life or the life of another may depend on you being able to run push or pull. Have you ever tried to carry a wounded person to safety run to get another and another and then perform even more physical tasks after that. I speak from experience when I tell you our Air Force is better when our Airmen are fit.

Brad Scott veteran, Tyndall AFB

10/8/2010 11:39:07 AM ET
Seven years into the PT program and we still are having this discussion. Incredible I guess we need to make WAPS study time mandatory each week too, make family time mandatory each week, the list could go on and on. It is all about priority and what we want to do. Excellence is ALL we do...not what we CHOOSE to do. Get with the program or find another profession.

Tom, Colorado Springs

10/8/2010 11:31:33 AM ET
For all the folks complaining and whining, wake up you are in the military. To be physically fit and healthy is an inherent requirement of the job. What we need is an AF-wide mandatory PT program during duty hours probably 2 sessions each day to accomodate shift workers. Would also be nice to actually incorporate some type of self defense training too. We might not be ground or infantry like the Army or Marines but we are still military and need to be combat ready.As a completely disabled veteran in a wheelchair and in constant pain it is so frustrating to read and hear the complaints. You simply do not appreciate good health, a job that will allow you to exercise during duty hours, and all the resources support and programs available to you. Suck it up get it down and enjoy the side benefits of being healthy. Remember that you are a defender of our country.

Disabled AF Veteran, Buckley AFB CO

10/8/2010 11:31:22 AM ET
Capt Lee states in his commentary--If you are not physically fit there is a real chance you may die while deployed. That's an interesting statement. Are there any statistics to support that claim How many Airmen have died because they had a 39.5 waist I will not disagree that physical fitness is important and we should all strive to meet or exceed the standard however my real beef with the program is the draconian effects of not meeting that standard. A referral EPR for missing a component minimum score is overly harsh. If my supervisor turns a blind eye I can come late to work leave early I can bounce a check or even not pay child support and still get a firewall five but missing a crunch could set-back my promotion chances for years. Is that equitable?

MSgt K, NM

10/8/2010 9:02:21 AM ET
How many of the people complaining/giving us your opinions have failed the PT test? If you have passed then why are you complaining? I think some people just look for anything to complain about. Fitness PT test is here to stay, either accept it or get out. I sure hope you all are not this negative around your troops if you have them because as leaders we are suppose to support the decisons of our leadership whether we agree or not.

G-Man, San Antonio

10/7/2010 10:07:21 PM ET
I believe that certain core leaders want a healthy force though they will not sacrifice ops tempo or flight hours to support it. I also believe that outside of those core few the message has been lost and it is a force shaping initiative.

D, MDL

10/7/2010 8:25:29 PM ET
I can't believe people are still whining about this fitness test. If anything the test itself is a simple light workout and anyone who is reasonably fit can pass it with ease.

Bob, Charleston AFB

10/7/2010 7:16:58 PM ET
To NJC Eileson As a prior-service Marine who was enlisted for 10 years I've sometimes wondered about mandatory PT formations in the AF. Its true it was a daily part of life in the Corps. I don't know if mandatory formations will ever become reality but I do believe that the current renewed emphasis on PT in the AF is trying to get us to that same state of mind where PT is part of our routine. Thanks for reading. Captain Darrick Lee

Captain Darrick Lee, Misawa Air Base Japan

10/7/2010 6:39:15 PM ET
To AF Capt HI As mentioned in previous comments I could have provided more details about the conflict but wanted the focus to be on fitness. But your comment disappointingly and anonymously implies I abandoned fellow Airmen so I'll provide clarity. Our entire PRT was dismounted when we began taking fire. On the order of the convoy and truck commanders who are the Soldiers who plan our movement outside the wire the entire team moved to the MRAPS where gunners had access to their heavy weaponry. Once safe the PRT engaged insurgents and accomplished the mission. As a PAO I did my job alongside my fellow Airmen and documented the combat as it occurred. Your point about fire suppression is a good one the point of my text was to highlight that had we not been fit enough to get to safety first we may not have been alive long enough to fight back. Thanks for reading enjoy Hawaii. Captain Darrick B. Lee

Captain Darrick Lee, Misawa Air Base Japan

10/7/2010 3:01:56 PM ET
Was your first thought to run and get into your protected MRAP Or did you stop and use your BRAIN for a minute in order to figure out an effective combat withdrawal? I'm glad you thought about getting your butt back into the MRAP instead of getting ALL your personnel back to safety. One less gun leaves a gap in order for effective enemy surpression. I'm glad that you thought of your fellow Airmen when you were running for the MRAP.

AF Capt, HI

10/7/2010 2:37:49 PM ET
My daughter just graduated Air Force Basic Training. Her flight won top PT so they were awarded an extra town pass. I was in good shape as a teenager but as a mother have always been out of shape and never feel great. My daughter said in her new found wisdom Mom I am going to send you my workout from basic. Do a little more each day and you will start to feel good. In today's society way to many children have health concerns due to obesity. I would think one would start looking at PT in a good way.Quite complaining and get off your buts and do some exercise....I know I am.

Julie, WA

10/7/2010 1:13:21 PM ET
The idea that somehow everyday fitness and combat fitness are the same is not stuck in reality suffice to say no amount of preparation mental or physical can actually prepare anyone for combat until someone experiences it firsthand. The amount of physical and mental stress that occurs in those situations cannot be replicated they can only be assisted with a little preparation and training. Annual ADLS CBTs pre-deployment CST regular PTs etc. give you the tools to act respond and survive not become a marksmen or world class athlete nor do they ask you to. Sure you may not need to run 1.5 miles recite the Airmans Manual or do situps in front of the enemy, but at least you've prepared your mind and body to withstand some of the rigors that encounter during deployments whether its on the front line behind the lines or wherever. No training is not easy exercises are not fun early morning or late evening PT is sometimes tough

Paddy , Colorado

10/7/2010 12:30:05 PM ET
I quickly learned coming into the AF in 1980 as a Security Policeman that I could never let my body be a detriment to my life. Running up berms in battle rattle with M60s and ammo is no joke. It's been my philosophy ever since. It's ABOUT TIME the AF got with the REAL program the Marines and Army always had concerning fitness. Good on ya.

Ken Merritt, Colorado Springs CO

10/7/2010 12:02:18 PM ET
Over the past 3 yrs. while I was stationed at Tinker AFB. AMXS we were told to PT on our own. There is no mandatory PT formations. The only time that PT was mandatory was after you have failed your PT test. Even when twice a week for 90m was mandatory, I noticed that those who asked to go weren't allowed at times because it's mission first.Deployments multiple TDY's weekend duty basically operations tempo required us to stay current but with ZERO emphasis on overall fitness.America's airman want to be/stay fit but we need the support of our leadership up and down the chain in order to fullfill this USAF requirement. Amercia's Wing deserves it especially our maintainers.

GJW, Travis AFB

10/7/2010 11:51:41 AM ET
Use physical fitness to your advantage...remember the VA will take all your medical aches and pains into consideration when determining your VA rating when you retire. So run with bad knees, do sit-ups with a bad back, do push-ups with tendonitis in your elbows. Just document, document, document.

Thankfully Retired, USAFA

10/7/2010 11:49:25 AM ET
Fitness focus is on keeping you alive, not downsizing. I agree with this statment. However lets be honest with ourselvs and our men this is about downsizing. Anyway you slice it the goal is to cut people. I agree with all the statements. Its true. We need to do it for combat reasons, we need to do it for our life and health. I am sure those are messages that the leaders want to get across. But in the back rooms, I know it to be fact somewhere they are saying this is expected to cut a certain percentage of people. Anyone who doesn't go 20 saves the DOD a lot of money. Pt for your life, Pt for your job.

David, Texas

10/7/2010 11:45:16 AM ET
Some of you make me so proud to be a member of the only service branch that consistently complains about staying fit. Admit the sarcasm, the whining and the off-the-wall analogies. We have warrior Airmen fighting alongside our sister services and all many can do is gripe about having to stay in shape. To Capt. Lee and MSgt Clapper, thanks for your contributions to the fight. To those who would rather bash the system rather than take some pride and get involved, the door opens both ways. Feel free to use it to leave. There are plenty of out-of-work Americans who would love the opportunity to get paid to keep fit.

KJ, NE

10/7/2010 11:26:08 AM ET
Everyone has their own opinions about our current PT standards. The fact is that it does not measure a combat ready situation it is a standard that we must meet the minimums on...and sometimes that isn't enough. But it is still our current standard. What about the AFI that gives us guidance on referral EPR's if you fail your PT test. Is it a 3 4 5 with markdowns? That is what is is hurting our future. Situations occur when that is the only markdown on an EPR and it is up to the local supervision to decide the rating. If that is the only markdown on an EPR..what is the rating suppose to be...Where is that standard written. When I was younger in this great AF...a referral EPR was a maximum 3. It seems to depend on where you are on what the rating is today. I also disagree with losing a line number after a fail.

J, Fairchild

10/7/2010 10:28:49 AM ET
All we can do is hope that with every change the Air Force makes will be closer to the best possible product. I have seen some crazy things with PT tests over the years. I've watched Marathon runners fail the bike test. Earlier this year I watched an Airman get a 100 percent on the new test only to get medically boarded a month later. Hopefully one day leaders will make a test that focuses on the real reason for PT in the first place...Being ready and able in a deployment environment. But then again I suffer from thinking practical not analytical.

MSgt T Batchelor, Tinker AFB

10/7/2010 9:40:01 AM ET
While I score a 100 on my PT test and am in good shape, I am far from an olympic athlete. To be frank you don't need to be in good shape to pass our fitness test. The minimums are a good way to keep us from getting 1 dimensional in our fitness. It's a good thing that they are trying to get us to carry a load run and press on. If you are unable to meet a minimum adjust your fitness program to make up for your shortfalls. The problem I see is people train for the PT test and not a fit lifestyle. Get used to lifting wieghts and running 40 miles a week and the PT test takes care of itself, it's more of a warm up for a real workout then anything else.

tim, Maxwell-Gunter

10/7/2010 9:38:27 AM ET
We've always had a PT program What Air Force has Capt Lee been in? Clean out your headgear young guy, we have NOT always had a PT program. My first meeting with my first commander in 1992 ended with my question about the squadron PT program. He replied that it was self-paced on your own. And this was a SAC SP squadron. Face it there truly is an emphasis on culling the herd and when evals and conduct issues weren't enough the leadership decreed that PT scores will decide. What happens when 99 percent of us are fit enough and they can't jettison people over fitness issues? What more draconian measures will the leadership use then?

DMPI, Bolling AFB DC

10/7/2010 8:30:39 AM ET
The folks that have been deployed and witnessed or experienced the result of not being physically fit are the best examples of why an aggressive physical fitness is needed. Back in the day I was assigned to the 336 CCTW at SERE Water and Arctic survival training wing. We were required to run 2 miles do 45 sit-ups 25 pushups and a whopping 5 pull-ups all within a certain amount of time. I hated running but I had to do it nightly to meet minimum standards. Later I improved and my performance exceeded the standard. This was in the 80s. Twenty years later while deployed to South Africa I witnessed the resulting performance of chubby out of shape NCO's heat exhaustion fatigue and a burden on fellow troops to take care of these folks. Yet they bellied up to the chow line without fail. These folks should not have deployed in the first place. So notice the words I used minimum standards, 3 exceeded standards, 4 or 5. Hmmm.

John Retired Shirt, Florida

10/7/2010 7:46:52 AM ET
This story hits the nail on the head. Really it is a standard that we should have to meet and I am glad that the Air Force has gone to the minimums. Honestly if you can not do 42 sit ups 33 push up's and have a 1.5 mile run in under 13 minutes and 36 seconds then you were probably never cut out to be in the military. Truth be told the new PT standards are actually quite a bit easier. Run a few times a week do a few sit ups and a few push ups and stop eating burger king for every meal and you wont have any issues.

Dave, Mildenhall

10/7/2010 7:34:39 AM ET
Being in shape has something to do with being able to survive on the battlefield. But actually knowing what to do under fire is more important. A few weeks of CST training does not make you combat ready. I would rather have a guy with a 40 waist that knows how to operate in combat than a fit skinny person that doesn't know anything about movement under fire.

Mo, MidSouth

10/7/2010 1:12:22 AM ET
@MM I'm sure Capt Lee would agree PA is at the very tip of the spear when it comes to the fight on all fronts. I'm currently deployed to Afghanistan and my AFN team has done some 650 combat missions outside the wire and has participated in many a firefight DF or IDF incident. Multiple CAB's AFCAM's and BSM's speak to PA's greater contributions. On the PT front it's a way of life and as an elite uniformed force we need to portray the proper image and maintain a healthy force. Keeping up with an Army ground unit carrying 50 pounds of gear at 6500 feet requires stamina and strength. Love it or hate it the AF PT program is here to stay.

MSgt Jeff Clapper, Afghanistan

10/7/2010 1:08:19 AM ET
Great article there is one detail not addressed that proves what the true unspoken purpose of this latest revision of our fitness program really is. What series AFI used to govern AF Fitness Program and what currently governs it? Many of us remember 'ergo' testing and what a joke that was. Well what AFI governed fitness at that time? It was a medical instruction--this makes sense. Then there was the reinvigoration of our 'warrior ethos' somewhere around 2000 or so and AFI 10-248 was issued. Wow! What a philosophical shift from the medical/health based fitness program. 10-series instructions are Operations instructions battlefield type 'how-to' manuals like AFMAN 10-100 for doing our combat mission. This demonstrated our leader's clear intent for us to be combat mission ready.Now we have our newest version 36-2905 ummm.... Personnel This is a significant indicator and clearly shows our leader's primary intent for the fitness program is no longer combat mission

TSgt Jason Scott, Yokota AB Japan

10/6/2010 7:19:52 PM ET
LOL @ TacAirlifter and Brian CA. I agree with TSgt S. Picka. Jimmy. Some AFB US comments are valid and truly are what the USAF is evolving into. The standards set the Airman up for failure by measuring one Army push up away from your career being trashed as the goal. What happened to the whole person concept We are experiencing a serious identity crisis. We use Army verbiage i.e. battle rattle, boots on the ground, etc to the point Airmen can't differentiate between huah, hoorah, whoosah at events. Fitness is important. No one is denying that fact nor making excuses; however, do not patronize Airmen by leading us to believe this is our leaders way of making sure we do not die early. We have too many smokers skeletal framed even over 40 inch waisted men outrunning the marathon runners. Airmen are being placed in an Army mindset but consistently taught Fly Fight and Win concept. Our day to day must support fighting the Army way since our distinctive USAF mission seems to be fading

Fair and Consistent Airman, Worlwide

10/6/2010 4:58:50 PM ET
If the Air Force wants to get serious about physical fitness then we should be lining up and starting every duty day off with mandatory PT. Every single PTL goes through 8 hours of training and what they can do with their Unit but the problem is, it is never implemented. There should just be a mandatory PT formation, every morning PT and then release to go to work. We are no different from the Army we need to start training like them

NJC Eielson AFB AK, Eielson AFB AK

10/6/2010 3:23:38 PM ET
The increase on fitness standards is great but the problem that I and most others see is the minimums. The minimums should be what it takes to pass instead the minimums don't set you up for success. How is it fair I score a 87 on my test but since I missed four sit ups I'm then a failure

JAnder, Rapid City South Dakota

10/6/2010 2:55:28 PM ET
Totally agree with JT. Just because someone can pass the PT test doing do the minimum amount of push-ups sit-ups or run or the maximum does not make them combat ready. And just because someone fails the PT test in any way shape or form does not mean they are not combat ready. I have seen people who have failed the PT test and they deployed and they handled everything well. However I have seen people who have scored in the 90s on their PT test struggle handling all the gear that is required when you deployed to a hostile enivornment. Oh and by the way I score in the 80s on my tests so I am not one of those people who are failing on a consistent basis either. AF needs to go back to the test prior to 1-Jul-10. If you get 75 or better you pass. Simple as that.

SSgt B, Somewhere

10/6/2010 1:17:15 PM ET
I dont get some of the responses here in regards to fitness. Pull up any Dept of Health or Human Health websites and read any research study and data on the benefits of physical fitness. It is clearly documented that individuals who maintain physical fitness THROUGHOUT their lifetime live healthier lives and are LESS prone to illnesses and diseases. For the military that means LESS time and expense spent on healthcare MORE productivity and pulling your weight to STAY ALIVE as stated by Capt. Lee. Those naysayers against the message being put forth here are the ones that should be booted because your negative attitudes are going to get yourselves or someone else killed.

SC, Macdill

10/6/2010 1:10:28 PM ET
I believe that PT is very important in the AF but when is the AF going to learn that there is a difference between PT scores and being combat ready. Ive seen Airman score perfect on their PT Test and once you put 50 lbs of gear on them they can't walk/run a mile. Then you have the Airman that barely passed their PT test but if you add 50 lbs of gear they walk/run for miles without any problems. Just because an Airman scores perfect on their PT score doesn't mean they're combat ready

JT, Rhode Island

10/6/2010 12:48:54 PM ET
I might agree with you if the fitness test was actually a measure of combat fitness. I know a TSgt who failed their PT test before a deployment deployed anyway and got an AFCAM.This is CLEARLY a force shaping tool and an effort to make the Air Force more like the Army. This article is well written and I respect the point of view but I could not disagree more. Our branch has struggled to find an identity for 60 years and I see now that we have finally found one: We are the Army Air Corps.

Jimmy, Some AFB US

10/6/2010 12:05:00 PM ET
Whether in the gym or on the battlefield muscles are muscles and endurance is endurance.Brian CA To paraphrase rule 7 of Roger's Rangers If you receive enemy fire fall or squat down until it is over then stand are return fire. In other words seek safety first then fight back. This is because it is hard to engage the enemy when you have more holes in your body than when you woke up that morning.

Frank, Tinker

10/6/2010 11:29:12 AM ET
Looks like the spin doctors at Public Affairs are working overtime in upstate Japan.

TacAirlifter, Colorado Springs CO

10/6/2010 11:26:23 AM ET
We're in the military the best Air Force in the world and we cannot keep up with the PT standards. It's only helping yourself. What other job out there will give you time to PT

R, Randolph

10/6/2010 10:43:59 AM ET
Brian Fit to Fight means getting to cover so you can fight back it means not putting your team in harms because they have to drag your body to a protected area and it means not becoming a casualty. I don't know what your job is but some of us are put right up front with the Army and Marines. We don't get to stay at the FOB watching TV or sitting in front of a computer so being in shape is kind of a big deal. Thank you Captain for this commentary.

Vanessa, March ARB

10/6/2010 10:38:24 AM ET
Brian you're complaining about a whole 1.5 mile run Wow. If you're fit you should be able to have a respectable time moving your body that distance.

Scott, Texas

10/6/2010 10:38:18 AM ET
I thought the mission of the Air Force was to fly airplanes to a safe zone or a war zone. That is definitely not the priority anymore. With EPR/OPR Fit test ADLS online training etc. flying is even below secondary.

SMSgt F., Ohio

10/6/2010 10:35:01 AM ET
lol @Brian. The Captain is a PA guy and even though they try to shove the everyone's a warrior down our throats clearly PA isn't a fighting force. Their contributions to the war effort lie elsewhere

MM, FL

10/6/2010 10:16:06 AM ET
Hey I'd have run for the MRAP too. Bravado doesn't stop bullets.

PB, US

10/6/2010 9:55:43 AM ET
So I guess we all need to be Olympic class athletes - The question is how did the AF draw the line as to what is fit enough if you justify the need based on extreme conditions. Is the fitness standard objectively based on combat requirements or pulled from thin air? I suspect they found a financial incentive to reduce long term health costs rather than mission needs.

Rob, FL

10/6/2010 9:44:31 AM ET
So if a 40 waist is really a no-go, will mil clothing sales stop selling blues pants for over-40 waists?

Dave, Randolph AFB

10/6/2010 9:37:16 AM ET
Let's be honest sure the fitness program is about keeping people fit. But it would be naive to think the USAF and DoD haven't considered the impact potential failures can and will have on the total force. Yeah if you are fat and out of shape you probably won't survive in a deployed setting when it matters. That means you probably shouldn't be in a deployed setting and if you can't be there you shouldn't be wearing the uniform. Let's also not forget that fit airmen generally have fewer health problems which means fewer resources expended by the DoD to make you healthy and get you back to the condition you should've and would've been in if you had been taking care of yourself to begin with.

Jim, MO

10/6/2010 9:04:16 AM ET
I am constantly reminding people I come across that we are deploying to a multitude of different environments. Simply put to have a baseline of fitness going into these environments means your body will be more adaptable to whatever jobs these airmen have to do in the AOR.

Rippy, Lackland

10/6/2010 8:58:35 AM ET
Great article and I agree fully. As of August of last year I was one of the people that complained about the PT test because I was overweight and out of shape. I used an extended TDY to lose over 30 pounds and get into great shape and my last three PT tests have been excellent. I took my most recent test 2 weeks ago so not only am I in great shape since last year I can ask all the youngsters if this old man can do you can you I am currently training for a half marathon in Nov and don't plan on going back to my old couch potato ways.

G-Man, San Antonio

10/6/2010 7:44:15 AM ET
To Brian CA I could have provided more details about the firefight our team was involved in but I wanted the focus to be on being fitness in general. It's true I ran to safety but our team did NOT run from the fight. We stayed and engaged insurgents accomplishing the mission while keeping ourselves safe in the process. Several Airmen earned Combat Action Medals that day including myself. But this article wasn't written to tell a war story. It was written to inspire people to consider their safety aside from mission accomplishment as one of the reasons they should get in shape. Thanks for reading. Captain Darrick Lee

Captain Darrick Lee, Misawa Air Base Japan

10/6/2010 7:38:56 AM ET
Because the best way to prepare for moving under fire in full battle rattle and combat boots while carrying a rifle is to jog around an improved cushioned surface in shorts a t-shirt and running shoes. If we're training to go fight wars then let's train to go fight wars. If we're measuring your waist to see if you're at a higher risk for certain diseases and therefore more expensive to insure medically then let's not act like we are fit to fight.

JCH, Aviano

10/6/2010 4:32:50 AM ET
I still think the program is a way to cut manning. Besides if the AF was that concerned about cutting costs would they really focus on this? Common sense would tell you that the if a person takes care of him/herself that leads to a longer life expectancy. That means more retirement pay versus the 55-60 year old who dies from poor lifestyle habits like poor eating smoking etc. Lower costs now but higher costs in other areas in the future.

Dave, Germany

10/6/2010 12:01:48 AM ET
While the Capt wrote a very good article he missed one very important point....the AF PT program is designed to promote a healthy lifestyle not prepare you for combat This fact has been stated by the SECAF CSAF and CMSAF in their previous viewpoint papers. As a true combat veteran with 4 combat deployments supporting the Army and more firefights then I can to remember i can ensure you that i have never run 1.5 miles in PT gear while in combat. Its all 10 - 25 meter sprints with 7 lbs of gear....marathon runners and bodybuilders are the first ones to dropout on a footpatrol cause their bodys are not conditioned for combat. So bottomline....follow the AF PT program for a healthy lifestyle....develop your own PT program to stay alive in combat

TSgt VB, Guam

10/5/2010 8:19:53 PM ET
Nice story. If they can get you out the door before 20 they have saved millions if not billions in medical costs and retirement payments. A 2 Star recently told us that statistics show that the longest living and most expensive people at the VA are indeed retired AF people. We have managed to outlive the other services retired people and are a burden on the system. Your story is an isolated incident as far as the AF goes. How my excellent PT score will affect my 15 years and 5000 flying hour is yet to be seen. let's not lose focus here and jink away from what this really is: Force Shaping.

TSgt S Picka, MDL

10/5/2010 6:45:35 PM ET
I get it now. Fit to Fight actually means fit to run away from the fight.

Brian, CA

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