By I am interested in hearing from all you Air Force personnel reading this on what you think of the new PT standards:
The Air Force will institute new physical fitness standards on Jan. 1.
Airmen must achieve a minimum score of 75 out of 100 possible points twice each year to pass. The new test generally has tougher standards, and places greater emphasis on the 1.5-mile run and less on abdominal circumference measurements.
The age categories also have changed, going from five-year increments to 10-year increments.
Under the current standards, there is no minimum passing score in each category. In theory, a person could fail two of the categories and still past the PT test.
The new standards include minimum scores, and airmen whose PT test totals at least 75, but who do not meet minimal standards in each category, will still fail. Airmen also will fail if they earn only minimum passing marks in all four categories.
Guidelines on how the Air Force will deal with airmen who fail the test have not been released. In the past, airmen who scored poorly on their PT test were required to attend a fitness improvement program until they were able to achieve a passing score.
An Air Force audit last year found that unit commanders were not properly managing fitness programs, and unit-based fitness programs did not effectively promote a healthy lifestyle. So the service decided to institute the more stringent standards. [Stars & Stripes]
There is more information on this topic at the link, but here is a breakdown of the new Air Force fitness standards:
The article doesn’t say, but what I am wondering is whether or not you can be chaptered out of the Air Force for failing this test?
It is the sad reality. No mistake...
1:28 am on September 17th, 2009 1
Been out of the Air Force many years, but it seems they are still going in circles is some aspects of their fitness standards.
When I came in, it only consisted of a height and weight measurement and your time in a mile and half run. Push-up and sit-ups were associated with punitive exercises for some reason and weren't used in the test.
At some point in the early 90's, running was considered too stressful and the option to test aerobic capacity on a stationary bike was introduced. Around that time, they also introduced a BMI measurement.
I think the bike had been dropped sometime after I got out, but the Air Force started to appreciate the need for push ups and sit ups.
So, now at least the old reliable mile and half is still here. I am not sure if that abdominal taping is associated with a BMI, because there had always been controversy over the BMI from day one. And good old push and sit ups are back where they should be after having been dropped, I think, sometime after the Vietnam era.
1:31 am on September 17th, 2009 2
Those are some low standards.
1:47 am on September 17th, 2009 3
You have to understand that fitness standards are usually determined by the requirements of what most members of the services would be expected to do. Most airmen don't carry field packs, hike hills, or have to double-time for distance in the normal coarse of their jobs.
When an airman's job requires them to be attached to a unit with high fitness requirements, such as an air combat controller, then the airman is required to meet the fitness standards of the unit he is working with.
2:05 am on September 17th, 2009 4
That should have been ground-air combat controller.
4:00 am on September 17th, 2009 5
That collective snicker you hear ("Air Force PT?) is from most soldiers and marines, current and veterans…..
Sorry, couldn't resist..
9:28 am on September 17th, 2009 6
The Air Force didn't have mandatory unit PT until about 8 years ago, except for units that chose to do it.
Fitness was a personal responsibility you took care of on your own time. You just had to be ready to show up and pass the annual or semi-annual fitness tests.
The requirements of the current two wars changed that policy.
1:52 am on September 18th, 2009 7
I am in the Af, and am on the "fitness program" for failing my pt test. Had a baby, didn't get back in shape in the 6mths they give you, (really only 4 if you consider we, women, can't even start back exercising for 2mths after we give birth if we have a Csection). Anywho, with that being said, I think that they NEED to start cracking down on our pt, because there really are alot of fatties, including myself, in the AF and it makes us look terrible at the very least. And to answer your question, yes you can get kicked out if you continue to fail your pt test. Key word being continue. They give you NUMEROUS chances to pass. Once the new standards start in January, I think there's going to be alot more people on the path to getting kicked out. They're not letting people slide by as much as they used to, which I think is good. I mean, we ARE in the MILITARY.
9:39 am on September 18th, 2009 8
Unit PT is BS, especially for those who are already fit. Jogging at a quarter of your normal pace won't make you fit, but it certainly increases your chances of getting injured.
12:49 pm on September 18th, 2009 9
I came in the AF in 1969. Then they had a program called 5 BX. You would get an IBM card telling you to report to the gym for your annual 5 BX. Most places you would sign in to an NCO who had a belly the size of a 55 gallon drum. You would then change clothes. You were instructed to do warm up exercises. The NCO would then have you bring your 5 BX card up so he could sign it off. The end of you test.
12:52 pm on September 18th, 2009 10
I came in the AF in 1969. Then they had a program called 5 BX. You would get an IBM card telling you to report to the gym for your annual 5 BX. Most places you would sign in to an NCO who had a belly the size of a 55 gallon drum. You would then change clothes. You were instructed to do warm up exercises. The NCO would then have you bring your 5 BX card up so he could sign it off. The end of you test. They can't make up their mind.