PACAF officials centralize fitness testing

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Tom Czerwinski
  • Pacific Air Forces Public Affairs
HICKAM AIR FORCE BASE, Hawaii (AFNS) --  Airmen across the Pacific Air Forces area of responsibility soon will see a change in their fitness testing procedures as command officials move to centralize the testing under base health and wellness centers by March of 2009.

After receiving feedback from across the command, Gen. Howie Chandler, Pacific Air Forces commander, directed the changes for two primary reasons: The need for better standardization and what he said were unnecessary time demands on Airmen administering the program at the unit level.

The current construct lacks much needed standardization, he said, adding a recent assessment by the Air Force Audit Agency identified numerous problems with the program. Issues ranged from integrity lapses to inconsistency with program documentation procedures. With fitness now reflecting on performance reports and impacting careers, a well-administered program is critical, he said.

A centralized process at each wing will help ensure a consistent standard with one team monitoring and testing Airmen. 

"Inherent in our job as Airmen is to be fit to fight. This new process professionalizes our testing and standards and makes it less of a pick-up game," the general said.

While overall responsibility for health, welfare and fitness of Airmen remains with commanders, wing HAWCs will take on the details. 

The HAWC staff will administer the program as well as conduct remedial training and medical, nutritional and educational appointments for those who require additional support.

"The new PACAF fitness policy will drive the true intent of the Air Force fitness program, which is not completely about an annual fitness test (but) rather (about) changing a culture to be healthier and more physically active throughout the year," said Mr. Jason Ham, 15th Airlift Wing exercise physiologist. "This program also enhances the Fitness Improvement Program using fitness professionals in the medical and services field to provide safe and effective training programs for those not meeting fitness standards."

Unit and fitness staff support still will be required for the program, according to Col. Sean Murphy, PACAF command surgeon.

"Unit physical training leaders, or PTLs, and the fitness staff will be key and essential to the program. PTLs may still test Airmen but it will be through HAWC oversight and the PTLs may not test members from their own unit. Fitness staff are experts in exercise programs and will also be used to help those members who fail the test." he said.

Colonel Murphy believes this will better support those in need.
 
"Those who are working to improve their fitness will team together to support each other through the process," he said. "People with similar goals often help each other succeed.  This concept has worked well in many programs such as Weight Watchers, Alcoholic Anonymous and common medical issues such as diabetes and asthma."

The centralized processes will decrease the administrative load on squadrons, and in the coming months, active duty members will sign up for their fit test through the HAWC in a way similar to a medical appointment.

"We are working through this together and expect that the rest of the Air Force will be watching and learning," Colonel Murphy said.

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