Civilian health vital to Eglin success

  • Published
  • By 2nd Lt. Andrew Caulk
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Air Force leadership has been focused on military fitness in the last year with the new Air Force physical training standards and a goal of improving force health. However, civilians are an integral part of our workforce and their fitness contributes to mission accomplishment.

Air Force Materiel Command developed the Civilian Health Promotion Services in 2005. The goal of the program is to improve the physical well-being of AF DOD civilians to help them lead healthy, productive, and balanced lives. The program focuses on education, self-care, behavioral changes, and disease prevention.

The program also provides for three hours per week of paid fitness time for civilian employees with supervisor coordination.

With the majority of the Air Force's civilian population employed in AFMC, this program is very important.

"Civilian utilization of Air Force Fitness programs and opportunities is key to Team Eglin's success. I highly encourage all supervisors to work with their employees and incorporate fitness into their work schedule in accordance with existing programs," said Col. Bruce McClintock, 96 Air Base Wing commander.

Mayo Clinic Health Studies show that employees at high-risk for health problems are 12.2 percent less productive in their work when compared with low-risk employees.

"Fit and healthy employees are more effective employees," said Marilyn Leggett, Health and Wellness Center and manager of the CHPS program.
Ms. Leggett discussed some of the ways civilians can stay healthy or get healthy if they aren't already there.

"We offer free, confidential blood pressure and cholesterol screening," she said.

She also mentioned the website as a tool both active duty military and civilians can use to track and improve their health.
Ms. Leggett also cautioned about the dangers of the snack bar. "If you eat one candy bar and one soda per day, that is around 450 calories per day. If you aren't active enough to compensate for those calories, it adds up to 23 pounds in one year!"

She suggested work centers evaluate their snack bars to see if they can provide healthier choices.

"If an office wants help developing programs to improve employee health, please contact us," said Ms. Leggett.

The AFMC policy letter, linked here, offers more detailed information regarding eligible participants and program limits to include the request form.