Posted on 10/29/2009 3:36:23 PM PDT by Jet Jaguar
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany — Even as the Air Force prepares to toughen physical fitness standards for airmen, it’s proposing to do away with mandatory physical training.
That means commanders no longer would have to provide airmen at least 270 minutes per week to exercise during duty hours. But airmen would still have to be prepared to pass more stringent PT tests twice a year.
If approved, the Air Force would be the first of the military services to eliminate mandatory PT.
An internal audit last year found the Air Force’s fitness program did not promote year-round fitness. Thirty-five percent of airmen tested at 13 bases worldwide gained weight and recorded significant increases in abdominal circumference measurements within 60 days of taking their PT test, auditors reported.
To combat those problems, the new standards would include twice yearly, instead of annual, testing, a revised point system, fewer chances to fail before being discharged, and assessments conducted by civilian health experts, rather than fellow airmen.
But two months before they’re to be rolled out, the revised guidelines have yet to be signed by Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz. Air Force officials said a review of the guidelines delayed the expected September release of the instruction.
Airmen, however, are already sounding off about the possible elimination of mandatory PT. Some welcome the relaxed standards, while others worry that losing workout time during duty hours will make it tougher to pass the more stringent PT test.
Under current fitness guidance, squadron commanders must implement and maintain a unit or squadron PT program while also ensuring that all members are permitted up to 90 minutes of duty time for physical training three times a week.
The other services have similar guidelines. The Navy doesn’t mandate unit PT, but recommends that commanders give sailors at least three 60-minute workout sessions during duty hours each week, Navy spokeswoman Katie Suich said in an e-mail to Stars and Stripes.
In the Marine Corps, commanders must ensure their troops perform at least five 30-minute "combat conditioning sessions" each week, according to a Marine Corps spokesman, 2nd Lt. Brian Villiard.
The Army carves out the most time for mandatory physical training. A commander "in general" gives 1½ hours a day for first-line supervisors to conduct physical training during duty hours each week, according to an Army spokesman, Lt. Col. Lee Packnett.
Air Force officials say eliminating mandatory PT is intended to give commanders more leeway in designing and scheduling PT programs to meet their unit’s needs and mission.
"Commanders are highly encouraged to continue with the fitness program, but it’s not going to be mandatory," said Maj. Richelle Dowdell, an Air Force spokeswoman at the Pentagon.
Part of the reasoning behind the shift is the acknowledgement that commanders can make airmen attend PT but they can’t force someone to "put that effort forward," Dowdell said. It’s up to the individual what they get from a workout, and the Air Force thinks fitness should be the individual’s responsibility, she said.
But Air Force officials won’t go as far as to say the expected change will shift accountability for their airmen’s test scores away from commanders.
Last year’s audit found that commanders did not consistently allow individual physical fitness activity during duty hours, and that unit-based fitness programs did not effectively influence airmen to make fitness a year-round commitment.
Air Force officials at the Pentagon could not answer how commanders will be held accountable under the proposed guidelines but at least one wing commander has said he doesn’t expect unit PT to disappear.
"What leadership doesn’t want to happen is for people to make excuses for failing the PT test and say, ‘My boss didn’t let me have mandatory PT time,’ " Col. Giovanni Tuck, the 15th Airlift Wing commander at Hickam Air Force Base, Hawaii, said in a recent Air Force news release.
Tuck said he planned to let each unit determine "what is necessary to accomplish the mission," as it relates to physical training.
An 86th Airlift Wing spokesman said squadron commanders at Ramstein Air Base in Germany declined to be interviewed about their views on mandatory PT.
"They’re not willing to speculate on any changes," since the new instruction hasn’t been approved, Aaron Schoenfeld said Thursday.
Most of Ramstein’s larger squadrons, however, give their airmen time during the duty day to work out. One exception is the 86th Security Forces Squadron, whose members are instructed to work out prior to or after their shift. Only 1 percent of its airmen are on a remedial fitness plan, less than other squadrons with mandatory, duty-day PT, according to data provided by the wing.
Among some Ramstein airmen, the possible move away from mandatory PT is viewed with mixed opinions.
"I think if the standards are going to be tougher, there should be more time to do PT," said Staff Sgt. Marc Taggart, 27, an 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron avionics specialist from Tucson, Ariz.
Airman 1st Class Michael Yee, 23, a C-130 crew chief, thinks the Air Force should still give airmen time during the duty day to work out, but it should be a balance of unit PT and individual exercise.
"You should be fit all year round, I do agree with that," he said. But the one-workout-fits-all group mentality of unit PT isn’t always beneficial for airmen, he said.
The tougher proposed standards include testing airmen twice a year — instead of once — and giving commanders the authority to boot an airman from the service for two consecutive PT test failures. Right now, a discharge isn’t considered until an airman has four PT failures in a year.
"I think that is a pretty significant impact," said Maj. Alex Garcia, U.S. Air Forces in Europe fitness program consultant. "I think in the past folks thought if I fail a couple of times then I would get serious."
Some trials of the new standards at Air Force bases have indicated the failure rate could skyrocket.
Maybe they drop my Dunkin’ Donuts off everyday?
I served 10 years in the Air Force and can tell you this is a BAD idea. Many recruits quickly get out of shape after BMT and Tech School because they are not forced to do PT like the Army or Marines. I personally struggled with weight issues when I was in the military and wished that PT was enforced. This is a terrible idea.
The further pussyfication of the armed services.
When I was in the navy, there was a guy on the boat that was 5’6” and 300lbs... it was not muscle.
But then again, were on a submarine. Might have needed the ballast.
Testing them only 2 times a year will definitely promote year-round fitness
Yup
lower standards
It will go back to the way it used to be. Work 10-12 hours then go and do 1 1/2 hour mandatory pt beyond your normal duty hours.
Push-ups sit-ups running are all easy but that’s just me.
Dumb question on my part but what happens when somebody fails the fitness test?
what do you think about this?
I dunno.
More exercise?
Peel potatoes?
Guard the latrine in the rain?
They go on a madatory PT program to get them to pass. If they fail to improve, they are separated from the AF.
I served 8 years in the 1990’s and never had any PT time allowed during duty hours. Of course the annual “fun run” could be completed in the allotted time by most people.. I think it was 1 1/2 miles in 12 minutes or something. I much preferred the bike test which I think started around 1994.
My nephew is off to Lackland in about 2 weeks for BMTS. He tells me there is now a pushup/situp requirement.
I think it’s a very very very very BAD idea!
What are you trying to do to my beloved Corp numbnuts?
I was in the USAF from 1960-63. PT in BMT was usually just calisthentics. In both of my operational units in the Pacific and Europe, the only PT was intramural sports, or, if you were good enough, play full time for the base teams and tour the theaters with the team. I understand that it is much more stringent now. Good thing.
On the same token, PE isn’t perceived as very effective and useful in public schools so PE is no longer required in schools. How’s well has ending PE programs in schools working for us now?
mandatory physical trainingYow. Thanks Jet Jaguar. I feel safer already.
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