Comments on: Air Force Physical Fitness Requirements

By: Arrow

Arrow — Sun, 05 Feb 2012 03:09:31 +0000

After reading many of the comments above I feel duty bound as a proud parent of an Air Force Academy cadet to tell you those who will graduate and receive commissions in May will be arriving on duty in excellent physical condition. Indeed, our son, a “Doolie,” or freshman, was a two-sport, three year varsity letterman in high school just eight months ago yet finds himself somewhere in the middle of his thousand member class athletically. Plugging his academy physical fitness test scores and measurements into the Air Force calculator above, he would score 98.75, yet he has not yet earned the 3.0 score required to make the USAFA Athletic Directors List. Just last week a member of his squadron, a recruited intra-mural athlete, was sent home because she could not pass the PFT and AFT (Aerobic Fitness Test = 1.5 mile run). She is strong, highly competitive, quick with her hands and feet, and fearless, yet she went away.
New cadets memorize the Airmans Creed before they sleep their first night at the Air Force Academy. Though I served in another service, decades ago, I shudder with pride when I hear The Cadet Wing recite, in part – “I am a Warrior . . Guardian of Freedom and Justice, My Nations Sword and Shield, It’s Sentry and Avenger…I will not Falter, and I will not Fail.”
Thank you, Airmen. America sleeps well knowing you and yours stand guard over us.

By: seo

seo — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 17:29:17 +0000

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By: Thomie

Thomie — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 03:13:52 +0000

When I went to annoy my recruiter the first time, I was denied entry because I weighed 205 lbs and am 68″.

I knew what I had to do. I ate less and work out every chance I get, even if it means I take the long route up a couple flghts of stairs in order to pee.

I now weigh 175lbs and have a 32″ waist and I’m still doing what I can to lose weight. I know the requirements and I annoy my recruiter tomorrow to head to MEPS.

This is soemthing I want to do; that I DREAM to do. I know that there are sacrifices, like passing up a slice of cake or going out drinking with friends.

Loves, I’m not barbie thin, but I can pass the waist measurement without trying. I do the best that I can on my run and within a few weeks, decreaed my run times from 20:44 to 18:37 and increased my sit up and push up counts. I know I’m not there yet, but I try and I’m getting there.

But, what is more important…? The cake or my dreams? I know my answer.

I have to ask the people above this post. What is more important to you?

And for those who think that just because I do have a 32″ waist.. I also scored a 97 on the ASVAB, so I’m sure that I have some sort of intelligence as well.

By: WOLVES

WOLVES — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 07:33:26 +0000

And to those saying that the AF is erroneous in its reasoning behind wanting a fit branch: how so? Having a branch that is fit to fight is without doubt an important aspect of the MILITARY. To those saying that proficiency will decrease with airman whom are Ken and Barbie -esque the Air Force’s intelligence as a whole will not be dropping anytime soon considering requirements for joining the Air Force are currently the most difficult in comparison to the other branches whom are recruiting. So recruiting civilians whom are intelligent AND in good shape in all honesty has no down side.
Thanks for listening to my rant, just got a 99.2% on my eval today

By: WOLVES

WOLVES — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 07:25:05 +0000

Some of these comments are ridiculous. You people are in the millitary, going to complain about how you are in great physical shape but don’t have the physical ability to run a mile in a half in a passing time? That is absolute garbage. How could you be expected to fight for your country if you can hardly make it a few blocks without falling out? The run time is the biggest portion of the eval, if you are in shape then your waist size won’t be a ridiculous 40 inches. The new system isn’t designed to phase out the old service members at all, it is to get rid of the members whom are wearing the uniform with multiple chins. It bothers me when I see all the other branches in prime shape ranging from the junior enlisted, NCOs, SNCOs, and officers then you see the Air Force’s NCO core and it is a steady decline from there as far as physical physique goes. We may be nick named the chair force, but we are the branch that is supposed to look good. And if we aren’t going to foreign countries and physically fighting for our lives the least we should do is stay in damn shape in case that day does eventually come, and if it doesn’t at least we portray image of a military man/woman.

By: coffee pot

coffee pot — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 00:54:49 +0000

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By: Janet

Janet — Thu, 20 Oct 2011 20:33:46 +0000

This standard is a hell of a lot better than when I was in. I passed the fitness tests but not the height and weight tables. I only failed the bike testy after it came into being when I heard the voice of someone who I hated enough to want to cause bodily harm. When I retested at the base gym without her around, I passed that too.Even when I would be passing weight program it was used to downgrade my apr/epr’s.It was against AF regs to mention or use it for scoring in performance reports when an individual was making progress, but no one stopped anyone from doing it to me.(Apparently there was no oversight to check for apr’s with this and throw them out. Had a CMSGT that would always insist that it was mentioned and that overall score was based on it).I would go into testing with an average of 30-34 less points for promotion due to this.Just hounding in on the weight(which used to be a lot less allowed,when I went in I was only allowed to be 138 at 67″,then it became 144)caused some to use it as a witch hunt method. Under the current system, I would have passed the fitness standards instead of being forced out after 16 years of service with nothing to show for it.I was able to perform a lot more physical labor easily than a whole bunch of people who met these stupid weight standards. I was willing and able to perform my duties. Hopefully these new standards will prevent a lot of this bulls**t from happening to others. Wish this current standard had been in force then, I would have been able to be fairly considered for promotions and been able to stay in till retirement.

By: Army Fitness

Army Fitness — Sat, 15 Oct 2011 04:41:26 +0000

Yes, I totally agree.

By: Robert

Robert — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 11:19:46 +0000

First off, I think the new pt standards are bull fucking shit! Passed my first test in the air force with flying colors two years ago (89.2). Took it again last summer, and failed, all because of TWO fucking sit-ups I didn’t do. Everything else was good. I really don’t see what good is supposed to come of this. It’s truly a sight to see a CMSgt who has served just under 20 years, get the boot for being half an inch over his minimum waist line requirement. Once upon a time, I wanted to retire out f the air force, something my parents tried to do but couldn’t for many reasons. Now I really am just looking forward to this contract ending. I spend more time at the gym trying ensure my ability to pass with a satisfactory grade than I ever have before. It seems trivial because other branches don’t have tests like this.

One thing I advise anyone else planning on leaving because of pt ridiculousness: get your degree before you separate! It’s hard on the civilian side! For those of you who want to continue to put up with this mess, by all means, go for it! But I’m done. Got my degree and am done. And anyone stationed at Travis AFB, beware of miscounting civilians!

By: Fionna

Fionna — Sun, 17 Jul 2011 01:47:19 +0000

After reading through this entire thread, these comments all sum it up and solidify the reason that I will not re-enlist in the Air Force once my contract is up. I understand that physical fitness is a requirement of the armed forces, but I think too much emphasis is being placed on this whole “fit-to-fight” fiasco. Health and safety first. If the force is not in sound health due to injury induced by performing their day to day duties, what is the Air Force (Active Duty, Guard, & Reserve) going to acheive?

I am not the best when it comes to physical fitness, but I do make it a priority and do that best that I can to achieve satisfactory results.

If the Air Force is only concerned with “eye-candy” and not intelligence, let it be. Somewhere down the line, the Air Force will see the error of their ways. Yes, they may get the Ken and Barbie force that they desire, but what about full competence in one’s AFSC?

My leg was injured during training exercises and I had to go on a profile for this. This is my first profile, no other disciplinary issues in my file whatsoever and I receive a boat load of hell because of my injury. Threats of being sent before a medical board.

If this is what the Air Force has come to then I don’t want any part in it. I am an educated individual with a degree and good experience to hold my own on the outside. Meanwhile, the clock is ticking and I am in countdown mode until this contract is up. I realized along time ago that I am too godly of a person to be in an organization such as this anyway. May God bless those who feel that this is the only path in life that will feed their families. If I lacked faith, I would have given up hope along time ago.

In closing, do the best that you can and if your best is not good enough for this organization, it is best to start seeking other alternatives. Best wishes to all out here.