Revamped PT standards begin here Published March 4, 2010 By Senior Airman William A. O'Brien 95th Air Base Wing Public Affairs EDWARDS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. -- With new physical training testing standards slated to be implemented July 1, 2010, Airmen are expected to begin preparing for compliance with the new Air Force Instruction Immediately. "No longer are the days of testing once a year, (allowing) members (to) begin working out a month or two prior to their test date," said Todd Amon, 95th Aerospace Medicine Squadron information systems manager. "Airman will be expected to train year round in order to pass the more frequent testing cycle. The current once a year test Airman have been armed with the new standards for over 6 months." The test itself will be similar to that which Airmen have grown accustomed to, however the weight of each of the test's aspects, along with the performance required to pass each aspect of the test will be different. "Under the new standards, the aerobic run will count for 60 percent of the test," said Mr. Amon. "Body composition will count for 20 percent. Under the current standard, they count for 50 percent and 30 percent respectively. The sit-ups and pushups stay at 10%. The new standards have modified waist measurement values and 15 seconds (increments), rather than 30(second increments), separating run scores. Passing the test will require a composite score of 75, while also meeting a minimum level for each component. So it is possible to score above the 75 threshold and still, by not meeting minimums (in each category,) fail the test. "One of the most noticeable changes to the fitness program is that units will no longer be testing their own members, he added. "The AF has created a new Fitness Assessment Cell that will be manned by civilian fitness testers who will conduct all AF PT tests. This was designed to ensure uniformity and objectivity within the new fitness system test." Edwards rolled out its test version of the FAC Feb. 1. Until a full staff is hired by the fitness center, the Edwards FAC will be manned by Physical Training leaders from the different wings. Under this temporary system, 95th Air Base Wing PTLs will test 412th Test Wing Airmen and 412th PTLs will test 95th ABW Airmen. Currently testing is done all four weeks of the month at 8 a.m., 10 a.m. and 1 p.m., but starting in April, testing will be the first three weeks of the month with the forth week devoted to retests and weather cancels," said Mr. Amon. "In the next few months the testing times will shift to an earlier schedule as the UV index is exceeded by mid-May at approx 10 a.m." For Airmen who need assistance getting back into shape, the Health and Wellness Center and the Rusburg Fitness Center have programs available to help. "The Health and Wellness Center offers dietary and nutritional consultation, along with fitness prescriptions specifically tailored to individual members needs," said Mr. Amon. "The Rusburg fitness center encourages members to become involved in the many fitness activities they offer such as circuit training." Mr. Amon said in the short-term, many Airmen may not be pleased with the increased standards, but later on in life, the ones who bought into the program because of the healthy life it allowed them to live. "The changes will be difficult for some at first, but it will instill a new culture in our younger Airman," said Mr. Amon. "In the long run most will see that the USAF did them a favor by the encouragement of positive lifestyle changes. The changes were implemented to foster lifestyle changes to a healthier, more fit to fight Airman. An Airman's fitness level is directly related to their readiness and ability to deploy as effective members of the USAF. On the personal side, it affords the Airman the opportunity of an increased fitness level and lifestyle change that could lengthen and improve their overall quality of life."