Delay in new fitness standards no time to fatten up

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Michael O'Connor
  • Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs
AVIANO AIR BASE, Italy --  On Nov. 19, Airmen of all ranks took a big sigh of relief as Air Force senior leaders gave them NASCAR's version of the "lucky dog".

For non-NASCAR fans, a driver is said to be in the "lucky dog" position during a NASCAR race when they are the first driver on the track one lap behind the leader.

Why is it lucky to be a lap down in a race where drivers exceed 100 mph around a track? They are considered "lucky" because when the next caution flag flies they will be allowed to go all the way around the track and be the last car on the lead lap. This means they get their lap back, but only if they did not cause the caution.

Similarly to NASCAR officials, Air Force leaders have essentially given all Airmen in the "lucky dog" position, i.e. not currently meeting the standards or who were projected to not meet the new standards come Jan. 1, an opportunity to not just "seize the day", but an additional six months to get back on the lead lap of being fit and healthy.

While Nov. 19 may have come as a disappointment for Airmen already on the lead lap toward living fitter and healthier lifestyles, for their fellow Airmen, the choice by senior leadership could not have come at a better time. The winter holiday months are often served with hearty meals and all the trimmings fit for a king, and with Jack Frost nipping at Airmen's noses, it's inevitable some of them will become less active and eat and drink more as they celebrate the holiday season with family and friends.

Lt. Gen. Richard Y. Newton III, the Air Force's deputy chief of staff for manpower and personnel, said the service's top leaders sought feedback from commanders and senior non-commissioned officer leaders throughout the Air Force when deciding to execute the updated program that will test Airmen twice during the 2010 calendar year -- once under the current program and once under the new program.

"Based on feedback from the field, we are implementing the July start date so Airmen have the opportunity to excel," General Newton said. "This implementation strategy will allow for a smoother transition of the new Air Force Instruction and afford commanders adequate time to establish installation fitness assessment cells to include adequate manning for the FACs."

In talking with those on the Health and Wellness Center and base fitness center staffs here, they said the delay in implementing the new standards is no time for Airmen to fatten up.

"Fifteen minutes in the kitchen is better than three hours on the treadmill," said Maj. Lori Pietszak, 31st Aerospace Medicine Squadron flight commander, and Kevin Egger, an exercise physiologist and fitness program manager for the HAWC at Aviano Air Base, Italy.

Maintaining peak combat readiness begins and ends with healthy, motivated and well-trained Airmen and the HAWC and fitness center staffs are ready to help Airmen help themselves.

"We plan to continue what we've already been doing here," said Major Pietszak and Mr. Egger. "We'd really like to be out at the squadron and flight-levels where we can reach out to a larger number of people at one time than in a classroom environment where seats are limited."

They said they also host a series of running clinics throughout the year and conduct staff assistance visits on squadron fitness programs to ensure they're safe and effective.

"We don't inspire desire when we go out," said Mr. Egger. "We give them the tools, i.e. the education, but they have to understand and want the change."

To quote Lance Armstrong, Mr. Egger said, "Pain is temporary. It may last a minute, or an hour, or a day, or a year, but eventually it will subside and something else will take its place. If I quit; however, it lasts forever."

Becoming better fit and to improve one's overall health, Airmen and their families should continue to call the HAWC and base fitness center staffs for a detailed list of services provided and class schedules. Another source for information is the http://www.militaryonesource.com public Web site.

GUIDANCE
According to General Newton, a new AFI detailing the new fitness standards is due out within the next few weeks. This fitness AFI is the first to cover the total force of active duty, Guard and Reserve.

The general added that the July 1, 2010 start date will provide commanders and Airmen plenty of time to be prepared and in compliance with the new AFI.

"We want to do this right," General Newton said. "It's about readiness and our continued commitment to ensure we have a Fit Force, ready to perform its global mission."

Biannual physical fitness testing will begin Jan. 1 using current fitness standards. Units with FACs will use them to conduct the assessments. Units without FACs will continue to use their physical training leaders, or PTLs, to assess Airmen. Enlisted and officer performance reports will reflect fitness training scores based upon their reports close out dates, General Newton added.

According to the change, during the Jan. 1 to June 30 testing phase, unit PTLs will provide two scores -- one for the current system and one for the new standard so Airmen can gauge their performance. Starting July 1, Airmen will officially test under new requirements with the new scoring. Scores will be annotated on EPRs and OPRs accordingly. The cycle ergometry and three-mile walk will be phased out come July 1.

POINT BREAKDOWN
Under the new standards, the aerobic run will count for 60 percent of the test. Body composition will count for 20 percent. Under the current standard, they count for 50 and 30 percent, respectively. The sit-up and push-ups remain at 10 percent each. The new standards have differently valued waist measurements and 15 seconds, rather than 30, separating run scores.

Passing the new test will require a composite score of 75 while also meeting a minimum level for each component. The new physical fitness test will place Airmen in one of five age groups: less than 30, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60-plus. Results will fall into one of three categories: 90 and above, excellent; 75-90, satisfactory; and under 75, unsatisfactory.

For more details about base programs and services available to base personnel, see the HAWC and DFC related media links.  Information on the Air Force fitness program is online at www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/affitnessprogram/index.asp.

-- Air Force News Service contributed to this article.