Congrats Lt.  Did you have a rated slot?  If so, how competitive was it?

Do you have any info on how to prepare acadamically before you arrive to AMS. example- info on the little blue book or patriot hand book,  Also what to prepare for on the academic tests?

 

Thanks for the help.

If you can get your hands on the Patriot Handbook, it might help you slightly. However, be warned that some of the information is likely to change, so you don't want to be learning the wrong stuff. Other than that, you really can't academically prepare before you go to AMS. The best thing you can do is physical preperation - push ups, sit ups, run times, etc.

When you go through the academics there, you are given "Samples of Behavior" at the beginning of each lesson (in the text). The test questions will come directly from this (foot stomp, wink, screaming, etc... don't waste much time trying to memorize anything but the Samples of Behavior).

Make sure to check out the AMS page on this website for further information regarding the AMS experience.

Are you going in August?

Good luck.

I just finished my interview with the board and was offered the comm officer position, my package was sent up to the NGB. So I hope Ill get a date realtively soon. I shouldnt have any problems with pushups, situps or the run, I figured I could get a jump on the academics.

So your saying if you memorize the samples of behavior you should be well prepared for all the tests?

Also what kind of info is in the patriot handbook, Do they give you a pop quiz and if you get it wrong your doing pushups? About how many pushups at one time do they make you do 20-30?  or more?

Where is a good place to read up on the marching commands when  you are marching around the base to and from the chow hall, etc?

 

Thanks again for the help.

The samples of behavior at the beginning of each lesson will say something like:

"SOB - 1: Seven competencies of officership."
"SOB - 2: Air Force started on this date."

Basically like that.. So if you know the answer to that (and maybe some other small background information.. or actually know something about the seven competencies (not just the actual seve, but what they mean) then ) then you'll be pretty much good to go. It's a standard AF test. They're not trying to trick you, and you basically have what amounts to the test bank.

Patriot handbook is a small book, about 40 pages. Each page or two is filled with information you're supposed to know for a certain day of training (culmulative, so don't ram dump at the end of the day). You'll mostly likely be on your way to the chow hall (it's called a dining facility, btw... don't recommend referring to it as chow, they don't like that) and you're SQ/CC will do something stupid and be forced to stop. FAs will pimp you for an answer to some knowledge for the day or days prior. If you know the stuff, they won't yell at you. If you don't, you'll do 5 push ups at a time. If you forget to request permission to recover, you'll do 5 more. If you forget to say "sir" at the end of that permission to recover you'll do 5 more. Eventually, somebody else will do something stupid and they'll lay off of you. Biggest thing (in almost all of AMS), maintain military bearing and you'll be good to go. It's ok to take 5 seconds to think about an answer (while they're still yelling at you) before you open your mouth.

If you've never marched before, you'll pick it up easy. If you're a non-prior, you'll be rooming with a prior. Ask said roommate or others in your squadron to give you a quick brief on Sat/Sun night before the first day. You'll be taught how to march while you're there. Not a big deal... Even the prior service dudes will be messing it up as for most of them, it's been a while since they've marched. Low threat... All it does is highlight you for a while and you can exercise your military bearing.

Keep your eyes on what's important.

Thanks for all the information Quatro! It gives me a better idea of what to expect, then just going in cold.

In AMS, whats is the standard PT requirements to pass?

50 pushups/50 situps in 1 minute for max points? or how is it in AMS?

Is it a mile and a half run or 3 mile run? What is the required passing time.

I am prior AD Airforce, but I have been out of AD for 10 years and in the Air National Guard for the past 5 years.

 

Thanks again!

 

PFA requirements are the same as the Air Force (depends on sex and age). 1 1/2 mi.. time requirements same as AF.

Hi Quatro,

The haircuts are not like Basic Training again are they? or just AF standards? What is the percentage of people who complete AMS? or who fail out due to PT or academics?

 

I've never been to Basic, but AF standards is correct.

I think "typically", around 20% - 25% don't complete. MOST of these are due to not meeting the physical standards. Some SIE. Some fail academically (1 or 2 per class). Some are removed from training (not many, 1 or 2).

Not really a big threat. Keep up on the academics and physical standards along with military bearing and you wont have a problem.

Hi Quatro,

 

Is it true that if your BMI is between 18 and 24.9 you get the full 30 points for Body composition and dont need to be taped for ab circumference? Or do you get taped no matter what and your score is based on ab circumference?

 

 

Not sure if this applies to AMS and I know it doesn't quite answer your question....but the PFT, depending on your age, does give you 30 points if your waist is less than 32.5" or so. I know that's not BMI. Might be able to find the answer here though:

http://www.af.mil/news/USAF_Fitness_Charts.pdf

I can't find anything that says the Air Force officially has started taking BMI into consideration for the PFT but there are some recommendations that make it seem like this is so.

http://fitnessbusiness-pro.com/mag/...index.html

On the other hand, this site seems to indicate otherwise (who knows when it was last updated):
http://airforcemedicine.afms.mil/id...P107_15569">
http://airforcemedicine.afms.mil/id...P107_15569">http://airforcemedicine.afms.mil/id...P107_15569">SYFYW Site

7/6/2005 - WASHINGTON -- Air Force officials are making a few changes to the physical fitness test used to assess the fitness of Airmen.

In January 2004, the Air Force underwent a major change in the way it looked at fitness. As part of the Fit to Fight program, the service adopted a more stringent physical fitness assessment that measures aerobic fitness, physical strength/endurance and body composition.

Now, 18 months into the program, senior leaders are ready to tweak the assessment to make it even better, said Lt. Gen. (Dr.) George Peach Taylor Jr., Air Force surgeon general.

"We have gotten together a group of scientists and done surveys asking folks if they like the assessment and are there issues with it," Dr. Taylor said. "This last year we brought an update to Corona and are now in the middle of updating a few changes to the Air Force instruction that defines the fitness evaluation."

Updates to AFI 10-248 will include a change in how body composition is measured, a new table for the running portion of the test that takes into account the runner's elevation, and a change in the number of days an Airman must wait before retesting after having scored in the marginal category.

Under the original fitness evaluation, body composition scores were based on abdominal circumference only. The updated AFI will now direct that body composition also be measured using body mass index.

BMI is calculated by dividing weight in pounds by height in inches squared, and multiplying the result by 703. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, those with a BMI between 18.5 and 24.9 are considered to be normal. Those with a BMI of 25 or above are considered overweight.

Under the updated AFI, Airmen with a BMI of less than 25 will earn the full 30 points for body composition. For Airmen who score a BMI 25 and above, Dr. Taylor said the results of the waist measurement would be used to calculate their test score.

"That will still be an important measure of their health," he said. "Waist measure is closely related to increased risk for metabolic syndrome, diabetes, hypertension and heart disease. Fat distribution is the critical indicator, as opposed to weight."

For those who score marginal, between 70 and 74.9 points, the Air Force plans to correct the time to retest at 90 days; currently, retest for marginal category is 180 days. This will be consistent with the retest time for poor scores, those less than 70.

Changes to the AFI will also include adjustment for those at high-altitude installations. This applies to those at installations with an elevation of 5,000 feet or greater, Dr. Taylor said.

"We'll use the formula for altitude calculations recommended by the National Collegiate Athletic Association," he said.

The Air Force continues to look at ways to improve the fitness evaluation and remains committed to the Fit to Fight program, Dr. Taylor said, because the program has proven successful.

"Participation at fitness centers is up 30 percent now," he said. "And if you go to the field, like in Iraq or Afghanistan, you will find a continued focus on health."

The assessment is not the focus of the fitness program, but a tool to assess the commander�s fitness training program.

�I want to make very clear that my focus is not on passing a fitness test once a year,� said Gen. John P. Jumper, Air Force chief of staff, in his Oct. 17, 2003, Chief�s Sight Picture. �More important, we are changing the culture of the Air Force. This is about our preparedness to deploy and fight. It�s about warriors. It is about instilling an expectation that makes fitness a daily standard -- an essential part of your service."

Dr. Taylor said he hopes the changes to the AFI will be made by late August or early September.

Not to be out done by Ryno, here is a link to the Interim Change to AFI 10-248 which does take BMI into account.

Now if the AMS people take it into account in their program that is another story and probably why you asked Quatro and not me!

When I was at AMS and did the PFT, they took the ab circumference, and depending on your age if it was less than 32.5 you'd get the full 30 pts. They might be switching to BMI, as previously stated, though, so be prepared for either.

Thanks for the Info everyone.