Moody Airmen react to new fitness program

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Brigitte Brantley
  • 23rd Wing Public Affairs
MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --  Moody Airmen and fitness experts are gearing up to be prepared to test more frequently and at a moment's notice by January 2010 when the new Air Force fitness program becomes effective.

Along with testing twice a year, Airmen will be expected to meet a minimum standard in each category. Civilians will be hired and trained to conduct the physical fitness tests and Airmen are now being grouped into five broader age groups.

Some aspects of the program, including the future role of physical training leaders, are not yet decided.

The last significant change is that the 1.5-mile run now accounts for 60 percent of the final score and body composition will account for 20 percent of the final score, while push-up and sit-up standards will remain at 10 percent.

"With these changes, the Air Force is hoping Airmen will focus more on their health and exercise level," said Capt. Tara McCall, 23rd Medical Group fitness program manager. "With half the amount of time in between tests, Airmen are less likely to let themselves go. They are part of a force that needs to be 'fit to fight' and we want to make sure they have the tools to stay healthy."

Captain McCall urges all Moody members to take advantage of the Health and Wellness Center and the classes it offers.

"Classes cover a wide range of topics from healthy eating habits to proper ways to exercise," she said. "The PT test focuses on three core exercises, but it's important to do various exercises that work out your entire body because it prepares individuals to perform at their best during their PT test."

Even though the Air Force is making changes to better prepare Airmen for combat and their everyday duties, not everyone agrees the changes are for the best.

"In my opinion, these changes aren't going to make a significant difference in the way Airmen work out or view fitness," said Tech. Sgt. Joel Barnett, 23rd Wing safety office NCO in-charge of reports and investigations. "If they're doing well, they'll continue to do so. Airmen who haven't been doing well will continue that way.

"The 10-year age groups make more sense than the 5-year groups," he said. "Just because I get a year older doesn't mean I should be held to a lesser standard. With the broader age ranges, it might motivate Airmen to keep an even level of fitness as they age."

As for the other changes, Sergeant Barnett believes the points could have been more evenly redistributed to show strength in the push-up and sit-up categories as opposed to making the run count for more, and that changing to a system that has civilians evaluating Airmen will not be effective.

"What's wrong with continuing to have military members score each other?" Sergeant Barnett asked. "The issue is that scores were supposedly compromised because the scorer was buddies with the person being tested, but we should trust that our Airmen will practice the core value of integrity first. Unfair scoring would only continue in some way with the civilians."

Some Airmen, however, view the changes as beneficial because it will force Airmen to be prepared for testing at any time.

"I support the majority of the changes to the fitness program," said Airman 1st Class Shelby Goss, 23rd Contracting Squadron PTL. "Airmen should always be ready, but too many wait until the month before their test date to start preparing. By randomly testing us, it will ensure that we can succeed not only at PT testing but anything else we are tasked with."

Sergeant Barnett and Airman Goss do share one view point- that there should be less emphasis on the waist measurement and that it doesn't properly assess how an Airman can perform.

An Airman's score may be negatively affected for too large a waist, but by excelling in the other areas, they are show they are prepared to fight. An Airman with a smaller waist who can't perform acceptably in the other categories may score better but aren't as prepared.

Airman Goss views having civilians conduct the tests as a positive change because having civilians as the scorers will cut down on biased scoring and even the playing field, she said.

"If I could see another change be made to the fitness program, it would be to add a combat fitness component," said Airman Goss. "Some of the other services have been incorporating that and I think Airmen would like to know where they stand on a functional fitness level.

"It's not just about how small your waist is or how many sit-ups or push-ups you can do," she added. "Every Airman wants to know they can hold their own in a combat situation when the time comes, and being physically fit is essential to that."