 |
 |
 |
 |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Perception of Fitness Versus Air Force Reality of Fat
Last Post 09 Dec 2009 05:48 AM by Rynizzle. 17 Replies.
|
Sort:
|
|
 Prev Next |
You are not authorized to post a reply. |
|
Rynizzle
Team WantsCheck
Private Message This User: 
Posts:2578
 |
| 01 Jan 2009 05:09 PM |
�
|
This issue is near and dear to my heart although I can't get into specifics right now. But this article is absolutely dead on for the command I'm currently working for. Anybody have any info on the PACAF solution they talk about? http://www.stripes.com/article.asp?section=104&article=59745
Air Force failing at fitness?
Worldwide audit finds base programs promote ‘fit to test’ culture
By Jennifer H. Svan, Stars and Stripes
European edition, Friday, January 2, 2009
Christopher Sawaryn/Courtesy of U.S. Air Force
Members of the 31st Aircraft Maintenance Squadron do sit-ups as part of Air Force Wingmen Day at Aviano Air Base, Italy.
Ben Bloker / S&S
Tech. Sgt. Edward Pfeifer, left, and Airman 1st Class Ryan Abbey, both assigned to the 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron, go for an afternoon run Tuesday at Ramstein Air Base, Germany. 
No changes are planned yet for fitness programs at U.S. Air Force bases in Europe on the heels of a worldwide Air Force audit that found that unit-based fitness policies tend to promote a "fit to test" instead of a "fit to fight" culture.
U.S. Air Forces in Europe officials, however, said Tuesday that the audit identifies several recommendations for Air Force-wide policy change and that they would work to implement those revisions once new Air Force policy is established.
"In the meantime, we’ll continue to stress the importance of good, year-round fitness habits coupled with timely and accurate fitness testing," USAFE officials said in a written response to Stars and Stripes.
The report — released by the Air Force Audit Agency in early December — found that unit commanders were not properly managing fitness programs and unit-based fitness programs did not effectively promote a healthy lifestyle.
"Unit based fitness policies did not include adequate management controls, such as conducting unannounced random body composition assessments and related intervention actions, to hold members individually accountable for year-round physical fitness," the report states. Holding annual assessments at predetermined intervals allows airmen "to prepare just before the test, thereby promoting a ‘fit to test’ culture."
Of 321 airmen reviewed, 35 gained an average of 3 inches in abdominal circumference and nine pounds within 60 days after taking the annual fitness test, the audit states.
An airman at Royal Air Force Lakenheath, United Kingdom, for example, gained seven pounds and 3.5 inches in waist circumference, and an airman at Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan, gained seven pounds and 3 inches just two months after a December assessment, according to the report.
Thirteen locations from eight major commands were included in the audit. Lakenheath was the only USAFE base reviewed.
The evaluation also determined, among other findings, that unit commanders did not consistently allow airmen time for physical activity during duty hours, whether through group exercise or individual workouts.
Air Force policy directs unit commanders to issue written policy detailing a unit-based fitness program providing three sessions of group exercise and allowing airmen 90 minutes of duty time a week for individual fitness activity.
But for some airmen, especially aircraft maintainers pulling 12-hour shifts on a busy flight line, mission often gets in the way, according to Tech. Sgt. Edward Pfeifer, a unit security manager with the 86th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron at Ramstein Air Base, Germany.
Pfeifer’s unit meets several times a week for group circuit training, calisthenics or running. But typical attendance ranges from five to 20 – from a squadron with close to 300 airmen, Pfeifer said.
The only airmen held to working out up to 90 minutes weekly are those who fail a fitness test, he said.
"We need to get PT (physical training) into the work schedule," he said, "which is about impossible when we’re on 12-hour shifts and we don’t have the manning for it."
"The Air Force," he added, "is going in the right direction pushing PT," but it will be difficult for some career fields to find that delicate balance between mission and fitness. "One’s going to have to suffer."
The audit laid out several recommendations, including having unannounced random body-composition assessments year-round and intervention measures for those below standard.
Air Force officials at the Pentagon did not get back to Stripes by deadline on what Air Force-wide changes might be made to the Air Force fitness program as a result of the audit.
One major command has already shaken up its fitness program. Following the release of the audit, U.S. Pacific Forces Commander Gen. Howie Chandler ordered major changes be made to the fitness program at all PACAF bases, including having Health and Wellness Center staff members take charge of annual testing, follow-up, remedial training, and healthy-living programs. Two PACAF bases were part of the fitness review.
|
|
 Click here to view my Pilot Slot Statistics |
|
|
FlyinCajun
Team WantsCheck
Private Message This User:
Posts:227
|
| 06 Jan 2009 08:31 AM |
�
|
This article certainly talks about a lot of things I was wondering about myself. Though I can't really comment on balancing a 12 hr work day with PT since I don't face those time constraints just yet, I have long felt that our PT program and test, is severely lacking. During ROTC I was in pretty good shape, met the height/weight requirements with room to spare, was required to go to PT three times a week which I would follow up with an extra 1-2 hours in the gym before heading to class. Ever since I commissioned though, and now on AD, I find my motivation to be lacking greatly than what it use to be. As much as I like the trust of PTing on my own, I find that not having the mandatory morning PT as a group has decreased my motivation and productivity in the gym. For example, on AD I have been working out failrly regularly, but even I can say that my time in the gym is a lot less productive that it has been in years previous. Hell I just tried doing some push-ups over the break and found myself much weaker in that department than I was when I was in college. I worked my butt off to meet the height/weight requirement before I reported in only to be told by other LTs who've been in for a while now that they have yet to actually be taped and weighed prior to a PFT. Basically as long as you pass, the active duty AF seems to not care what your weight and waist circumference is. Looking back, a lot of my motivation in college was the constant practice PFTs we would have to run, followed by the real PFT, which we would do have AT LEAST once a semester. Now, with little motivation and only having to take one PFT that doesn't require a lot of 'training' to pass just once a year, it's sad to say that it's no wonder why people (including myself, sadly) manage to PT just enough to get them through the PFT. |
|
|
|
|
Joystik
Private Message This User:
Posts:79
|
| 06 Jan 2009 10:25 PM |
�
|
Cajun, I don't know what your flight PT sessions are like at Columbus, but here its a bunch of BS here. An hour a week, where we waste 20 minutes stretching, then split the other 40 minutes up into half the people on the indoor track and the other half on the gym shooting hoops or playing volleyball, and switching after 20 minutes. I seriously lack motivation, because I can't get a good workout in, so I don't really try to begin it. They DO give us 2 90-minute blocks a week for personal PT, which I actually take advantage of. I never thought I'd say this, but I miss our 3-days a week PT sessions. Of 321 airmen reviewed, 35 gained an average of 3 inches in abdominal circumference and nine pounds within 60 days after taking the annual fitness test, the audit states. That's pretty shocking. For those on the board who have their wings, what's a standard PT schedule like in the actual flying squadrons? |
|
Bold business plays best, and grand aims fire men's hearts.
 Click here to view my Pilot Slot Statistics |
|
|
FlyinCajun
Team WantsCheck
Private Message This User:
Posts:227
|
| 07 Jan 2009 07:02 AM |
�
|
Joystik, though i'ts not much, at least you HAVE an organized PT session, and your DO actually allots 2 90-min sessions for you guys. Like I said here, my first Monday morning brief included a talk about PT here and it was literally, 'go work out on your own at least 3 90 minute sessions, one of which has to be a group workout (whether it's lifting with a buddy or playing bball), then go to the TM office and initial next to your name on the corresponding day indicating that you worked out.' That just about sums up how the PT program works. There is no organized session, no log to keep, and therefore no motivation. As I mentioned in my previous post, I agree with you 100% that I miss the three day a week PT sessions of ROTC. |
|
|
|
|
stanfizzle
Private Message This User:
Posts:15
|
| 07 Jan 2009 03:48 PM |
�
|
For some of us that are spread out across the base, it depends on who your supervisor is really, which could bring in a whole lot of factors. Where I'm at, the policy is go work out 3 times a week on your own time cause we are usually doing something throughout the day. But you have to motivate yourself I guess, getting ready for the FACT maybe. AF gyms are pretty well maintained. I do miss the PT sessions, but I also so like having the option to go work out on your own. It would be nice to have a run session every now and then.
Cajun, I dunno if they have this at your base, but they had a individual triathlon here about a month ago, getting involved in events such as those would be a great way to motivate yourself to workout. Remember that endurance race we did at CU. That was friggin' sweet. Being able to do something of that sort could be motivation to be a fitness beast.
|
|
| Airspeed and altitude is like money in the bank...you can always take some out but can't always put it back in. -H.H. Howard |
|
|
Joystik
Private Message This User:
Posts:79
|
| 07 Jan 2009 04:18 PM |
�
|
Looking over Cajun's and my posts, I do want to point out that despite railing on the lack of organized PT, ultimately it is up to the individual to motivate themselves (I know you'd agree with me Cajun).
That being said, I think what we were trying to get at is that its easy to lose sight of the objective of PTing when you only test once a year. Although there are people out there who can be 100% self-motivated, for the rest of us it is important to have a group of PT to work-out with. You need some peer pressure and competition there to push yourself and to be competitive so you don't become complacent. Also the exchange of ideas on working out is important and something learned in group PT. You got runner and lifters and ballers all together who can share what works for them and learn from others.
I think one thing that is absent from the fit-to-fight is healthy eating. This is something that I think people struggle with more these days than push-ups or running, because there's so much shit out there that is contradictory and misleading on dieting along with just plain bad food that I can see where people can struggle with it. And people who work 12 hour days rationalize fast-food because its quicker than cooking (something I was guilty of in college). In our detachment we brought in a nutritionist once a year, but without following-up it wasn't too effective. That said, the guy I brought in and the guy a PFO after me brought in completely contradicted each other, even though they were both highly credentialed in nutrition. Weird...
And then to fit this all in without compromising people doing their jobs. I don't envy the people working on the new fitness program. |
|
Bold business plays best, and grand aims fire men's hearts.
Click here to view my Pilot Slot Statistics |
|
|
Rynizzle
Team WantsCheck
Private Message This User:
Posts:2578
|
| 11 Jun 2009 11:01 AM |
�
|
Apparently the meeting of the top brass recommended in the Air Force Audit Agency report has happened and the program has been overhauled. Good on the leadership for ordering that audit, biting the bullet, and taking measures to fix the problem.
I guess the new AFI is not out yet but here are the highlights I've heard about:
Highlights:
1) Mandatory Twice Per Year Testing for ALL Active Duty AF Personnel (Reserve/Guard/IMA's still once per year).
2) To maximize objectivity, Centralized Testing will be implemented across the AF with Civilian Personnel
3) The run will count for 60 pts, 20 pts for AC measurement, 10 pts P/U, 10 pts S/U
4) Air Force officials said age range requirements will be simplified to five categories: less than 30, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60-plus
5) Fitness results will be categorized using operational readiness or unit compliance inspection-type ratings: Those scoring 90 and above will be
"Excellent;" those scoring between 75 and 90 will be "Satisfactory;" and those scoring under 75 will be "Unsatisfactory." (75 will still be the minimum to pass)
6) The new AFI links unsatisfactory fitness test performance directly to enlisted and officer performance reports. The upcoming revised evaluation AFI will ensure no Airman can have a referral enlisted performance report for fitness and receive an overall five rating.
7) Who will conduct the testing, when and how Airmen will test are among the most significant revisions to the fitness program, which takes effect ****January 2010*******.
Also, I have heard the civilian given tests will likely be more stringent on the "correct" pushup and situp. Apparently in PACAF they took extra care to only count correct pushups and situps and the failure reate increased by 7Xs. Wow.
The real problem with PT was identified in the Air Force Audit Agency report in December which said that commanders weren't giving their time the AFI mandated duty time to accomplish PT three times weekly. This new system looks like it should properly incentivize commanders to start following the regs. I hope it works.
Of course the reason commanders let PT slide on the priority list is because we're doing too much with too little so like plugging holes in a dyke it will be interesting to see what pops other than the careers of airman.
Regardless, this is a good step in the right direction. Good on the CMSgt of the AF and the CSAF. Good on them for listening to those in the field and making touch decisions to fix a problem that needed attention. Excellent display of leadership.
News Story Here |
|
| Click here to view my Pilot Slot Statistics |
|
|
Rynizzle
Team WantsCheck
Private Message This User:
Posts:2578
|
| 24 Aug 2009 04:17 PM |
�
|
Well the new PT program is out. Good on the senior leadership for fixing the issue. The fix isn't going to bring cheers to anybody's lips (these are hard times for everybody) but the fix is at least HONEST and reflects the reality of our do more with less hard times. Specifically, I'm speaking of the new change to AFI 10-248 which no longer requires commanders to provide airmen with normal duty time to workout if the mission doesn't allow it (like 12 hour days at AETC pilot training bases for example). It sucks that airman may have to whittle into their family time or use their weekends to workout or risk getting a referral performance report....but those are the times we're in. Good on the brass for taking away an unrealistic expectation so that commanders won't sacrifice their credibility by pretending they are providing fitness time to airman.
http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/affitnessprogram/affitnessfaq.asp |
|
| Click here to view my Pilot Slot Statistics |
|
|
Sweepin' BoneMan
Private Message This User:
Posts:36
|
| 31 Aug 2009 08:25 PM |
�
|
The only problem now is the fact the tests are all going to be run by civilians... I don't know about you, but my luck with civilians on base is like the chances of winning the lottery ... You can only have that housing guy lie to your face so many times, as your staring at an empty house .... I forsee that getting dorked up |
|
|
|
|
Rynizzle
Team WantsCheck
Private Message This User:
Posts:2578
|
| 03 Sep 2009 12:56 PM |
�
|
Personally I think that's the best part of the program. Now we may find some accountability unless the civilians answer to the Wing Commander and then it may end up being more of the same. But it amazes me how many people cheat on the PT test and the "cool" PT guys let it happen. How many fat field graders are out getting tested by the squadron Lt? Tell me that isn't ripe with rule bending. I've seen it several times and I think it will be good to have an accountable system. I hope shit tons more people fail so we can see just exactly how out of shape our force is and then we can begin answering the question, why? Is it because they work twelve hour days doing more with less? Do we need our people to in shape in order to fight the war in the Air Force? Perhaps then PT standards should change or go away because the fact is that PT time got shit canned as part of the "less" a long time ago. Now that commanders no longer have to give people time to work out (but can still work them 12+ hours a day) maybe we will see that demanding too much from them on their personal time is having a negative effect on retention and the mission is suffering. Whatever the solution, we need to see reality clearly first. That can only be done when leadership stops denying and hiding reality as they have done with the new PT test.
The Air Force isn't in good shape but pretending it is doesn't make it any better. I think you'll see civilians do a better job at administering the PT test and, as a result, more crew dogs will bitch about them. |
|
| Click here to view my Pilot Slot Statistics |
|
|
Rynizzle
Team WantsCheck
Private Message This User:
Posts:2578
|
| 04 Oct 2009 08:06 AM |
�
|
So what do dudes think the impact on the new PT test in a couple of months is going to be?
At my unit people are worried and it was apparently voted the most physically fit or something in the command. There are oldheads that have flying the mish for years on the Reserve side that are actually planning on getting out as a result of this new test. They think the test will affect the flying schedule.
Anybody else got thoughts on what the 39" waist cutoff and objective test proctoring will do to the force? |
|
| Click here to view my Pilot Slot Statistics |
|
|
MJW
Private Message This User:
Posts:11
|
| 07 Oct 2009 08:57 AM |
�
|
I think that the Air Force has made some definite positive moves with the new PT plan. I agree with Ryno that the civilians will bring accountability and objectivity to the program, so long as they are well trained to recognize a proper push-up and proper sit up. Also, making the max points for waist a 35 is better in this sense....if you are 6'3 and have a large structure, you could have 7% body fat and still have a 33 or 34 waist due to natural build. Obviously there are more precise ways that the Air Force could allocate points based on scientific body composition measurements, but that would be expensive and this is a compromise. If someone is actually just fat and short with a 34 waist, they probably will suffer on the run anyways and lose points there that they gained through the more lenient waist measurement system. One aspect I disagree with is the lack of emphasis on overall strength. 10% of your overall PT score comes from your so called "muscular endurance". The army on the other hand gives 100 points for the run, 100 for the push-up portion, and 100 for the sit up portion (their sit ups are much harder). Which service tends to have stronger looking members? I don't think the new plan is perfect by any means, but it is an improvement over the previous one, where you could technically pass without performing one push-up or sit-up. |
|
|
|
|
Rynizzle
Team WantsCheck
Private Message This User:
Posts:2578
|
| 20 Oct 2009 09:35 PM |
�
|
Does anybody know how it's going to work with timing? I assume that in January if you haven't tested within 6 months then you will have to test in January with the new test? I gotta figure out when to go on the fat ass shrinkage plan... That 39" waist limit might get me otherwise... |
|
| Click here to view my Pilot Slot Statistics |
|
|
BurntRubber
Private Message This User:
Posts:28
|
| 22 Oct 2009 04:29 PM |
�
|
I fought this 'fit to test' monster as a senior in ROTC at TX A&M. Our most effective strategy proved to be putting our money where our mouth was. Basically, if you fail, you're out. People get the message quick.
A new program is great and maybe the civilian testers will help cut out the rule-bending. Although I can see people finding ways around that. You'll have some hardliner civilians, but most will be swayed by a chubby guy begging them to count that pushup that wasn't really all the way down or all the way back up. It's gonna happen. I think rule bending is most common when being graded by our peers, not so much by pulling rank to make a lieutenant give you a better score. It's easy to get a buddy to knock a couple seconds off or add a few pushups to your score.
The sad reality is that we live in fatty world USA where people eat more and do less than anywhere else in the world.
Solution? I think we refrain from micromanaging our airman's free time and just simply test more often, every quarter perhaps. Then, when you fail, two warnings. If you are on "warned" status, you are up at 4am going for a run 6 days/week. Then, fail three times and strike three, you're out. McDonald's is always hiring. |
|
|
|
|
Rynizzle
Team WantsCheck
Private Message This User:
Posts:2578
|
| 01 Dec 2009 06:27 PM |
�
|
Anybody heard when the new PT tests will be due? Apparently it's going to be done twice a year so are we going to all be tested in January? I had my last test about four or five months ago but I would imagine if I have to test twice in 2010 then I have another test in a month? Or are they going to stagger the testing so it's just twice in a 12 month period? If so, when is that going to be?
I've got to figure out if it's time to deflate again or not... |
|
| Click here to view my Pilot Slot Statistics |
|
|
nikhana
Private Message This User:
Posts:10
|
| 01 Dec 2009 11:34 PM |
�
|
Are the new standards going to be applied to ROTC dets in Jan as well? I assumed they would, but my cadre has said they are unsure. The new standards would actually raise my score (go figure) hopefully it'll happen. |
|
| Click here to rate my chances of getting a pilot slot |
|
|
tinygiant
Private Message This User:
Posts:13
|
| 06 Dec 2009 07:45 AM |
�
|
The new standards don't go into effect until June now. For the next 6 months, when a PT test is taken, the score will be reported to the individual under both the old and new system, almost as a preparation for the new system coming on line. My person view is the delay is a bunch of crap and a result of more touchy-feely BS. However, my views don't change policy.
If you haven't tested in the last 6 months, you'll most likely test in January. The AF is splitting test dates based on when your last test was. I don't have the imp message in front of me, but from memory, they're planning on running tests in January, March and June and then again six months after those. If your location doesn't have at least 1000 people (i.e. you're not stationed on an AF base), you will not be getting a civilian monitor and the tests will be conducted just like they always were, just under a different set of standards. Much like before, it'll be up to the UFPM and PTLs to ensure the tests are conducted correctly. |
|
|
|
|
Rynizzle
Team WantsCheck
Private Message This User:
Posts:2578
|
| 09 Dec 2009 05:48 AM |
�
|
Just got told recently if you haven't tested within 6 months then the next test will be one year after the last. If you've tested in July the next test is Jan, if August then February, and so on. That may be a local thing though. |
|
| Click here to view my Pilot Slot Statistics |
|
|
| You are not authorized to post a reply. |
|
Active Forums 4.1
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
You must login to request Gouge Vault access
Air Force ROTC Order of Merit (OM) Calculator
Military Aviation News & Video - Views, sources, and opinions are not sanctioned by WantsCheck.Com
|
|
|