Commentary: Staying fit to fight

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Danielle Wolf
  • 442nd Fighter Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  Airmen have probably known for a while now that the days of testing one's aerobic conditioning on an exercise bike are long gone.

Pedaling until your heart reaches and maintains the required rate, is no longer the way to find out if the military is fit to fight.

Within months after my last couple physical training tests, I no longer felt confident of my ability to pass it at a moment's notice. As reservists, we usually know when our annual test will take place, and can plan accordingly to ensure success. If I tested in July, I would start running in May.

This year, when I found I would have to test early so as to set a guaranteed technical-school date, I felt a rush of anxiety. I had only five weeks to get back in shape. I have always worked out occasionally - a few times a month if nothing else - but I was certainly in no position to pass a P.T. test.

My days were filled with college classes, running an online newspaper and working as a student-hire. I was lucky to get six hours a sleep at night, let alone find time to work out.

Out of desperation, I started running after my night shift ended. I wore ankle weights up three flights of stairs several times a day, and did push-ups every time I went to the bathroom (it was a good way to get in 60-70 a day).

When the day of my test came around, I passed with an 86 percent.

The day after my P.T. test was the ultimate challenge though. Would I take the next nine months off and let the anxiety fester, for yet another year - or would I continue running and strength training throughout the year to keep my confidence and fitness level in tact?

A week after my test, I already needed motivation again. That's when I signed up for a 5K. I've never been a great runner, but my goal was just to finish - and I did. That single race boosted my confidence enough to sign up for another one on the Fourth of July - and hopefully a third this summer. With several races ahead of me, I have little room for excuses.

So for once, when I read the details of the new Air Force Instruction, I felt no anxiety.

The run will now account for 60 percent, body composition for 20 percent, and sit-ups and push-ups will remain at 10 percent each. Anyone who does not meet a 75 percent will receive down-grades on his or her Enlisted or Officer Performance Reports.

The standards will not change every few years based on age, but rather, every 10 years after the age of 30.

The P.T. test will not be administered by monitors within the member's unit. Instead, trained civilians will test and measure Airmen.

There are now three categories for which scores will be ranked - Excellent (90 percent and above), Satisfactory (75-89 percent), and Unsatisfactory (74 percent and below).

The AFI also had important information regarding reservists. While active-duty members will be tested twice a year, reservists and guardsmen will continue to only be tested once per year.

There are clearly some changes coming to the Air Force. Airmen will have to work harder and be more fit than ever before. But as for me, I'm now ready for the challenge.