Eglin gears up for 2010 AF fitness program

  • Published
  • By Minty Knighton
  • Team Eglin Public Affairs
EGLIN AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. --  Eglin's military are buzzing about the new Air Force Fitness Plan rumored to be more challenging, harder to pass and only four months away. 

Although Air Force Instruction for the new fitness program has not been officially released, Eglin and military Air Force-wide are preparing for the new physical fitness testing criteria come January 2010. 

The new plan is an initiative spear headed by Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force Rodney McKinley to change Air Force fitness test standards. 

"The new program is a huge improvement," said Cesar Alvarez, physiologist for Eglin's Health and Wellness Center. "This program forces military to stay in shape year round and with the deployment tempo the way it is; it's best." 

The most noticeable change is testing twice a year. 

"I don't think testing twice a year will be much of a change for those who stay in shape," said Capt. Catherine Porcher, Action Officer for the Air Armament Center's Commander' s Action Group. "I do think it will help identify those Airmen who are 'fit to test' and will force them to keep a more stable fitness level throughout the year." 

Optimum fitness potential is the goal according to Chief McKinley. In a commentary to the military he applauded Airmen who realized the importance of peak physical fitness but recognized a dichotomy existed. 

"I realize there are also Airmen who are not living up to their health and fitness potential. With every Airman critical to completion of Air Force air, space and cyberspace missions, we need all Airmen physically capable of performing at the highest level." 

According to an Air Force audit of the current program done in 2008 much of the proposed change to fitness testing is based on the fact the testing was not properly implemented. 

"Some military find themselves rating their supervisors or subordinates and may be tempted to skew the results," said Mr. Alvarez. 

Captain Porcher agrees. "I'm sure there is a reluctance to tell the more senior airmen, the chief, or the commander they aren't fit." 

The audit also determined commanders did not consistently take action for members not meeting fitness standards. In an effort to improve on this issue, the new program does two things. One, it places more of the responsibility of success on the individual and two, places civilians in charge of administering the test. 

"More emphasis will be put on the individual to improve fitness and overall health whether than relying on unit," said Mr. Alvarez. 

"It has always been the individual's responsibility to reach and keep their level of fitness," said Capt. Gregg Velez, Sustainment Service Flight Chief for the 96th Force Support Squadron. "They will be tested more frequently, but their level of fitness should remain the same." 

Under the new program, civilians will be testing and recording capabilities of military in an effort to capture more accurate and true results. 

Mr. Alvarez who tests and counsels military on fitness says some are concerned about civilians rating them, but believes with civilians scoring is more objective. 

"I think having civilian administrators will be a great move," said Captain Porcher. "Moving the testing responsibility outside the unit will be a good move toward making testing fair across the Air Force." 

Since the Air Force's official fitness program began in 2004, several changes have been made, but changes in the new AFI are more radical, especially in standards to testing and rating. 

Testing which will be done twice a year (every six months) beginning in January and February of 2010. Like the current program, scoring will include an overall composite score. Unlike current testing, in addition to attaining passing composite score, minimum requirements have to be met in each category. 

"I feel like the new program will place additional pressure on Airmen because of the new minimum standards they will be enforcing," said Staff Sgt. Whitney Trisch, Air Operations Supervisor for the 96th Logistics Readiness Squadron. "For an Airman who does not do so well on the run portion of the test, could previously make up the points in another aspect of the test wand and score well. Now the airman has to focus more on weak areas and work on improving them. It's smart on the Air Force's part for making this change because this was a loop hole in the system." 

There have been slight changes to the test fitness categories. Running remains the optimal standard counting for 60 percent of the score. Push-ups account for 10 percent. Sit-ups count for 10 percent and 20 percent for waist measurement. Also, age groupings have changed to bring testing more in line with national standards.