Arctic medics begin second month of million push-up challenge

Published Jan. 20, 2010
By Senior Airman David Carbajal
3rd Wing Public Affairs

ELMENDORF AIR FORCE BASE, Alaska (AFNS) -- People face challenges in many different ways. About 450 Arctic medics have started to face one challenge by accumulating more than 225,600 push-ups in less than a month.

The 3rd Medical Group personnel have challenged themselves to do one million push-ups in 100 days.

"People don't realize how many a million is until they start doing it," said Chief Master Sgt. Sean Meenagh, the 3rd MDG superintendant.

After discussing the challenge at the December medical group commander's call, the competition kicked off Dec. 15.

"The very first day, the flight and I did 400 push-ups in the first 30 minutes," said Tech. Sgt. Raymond Hillis, from the 3rd Medical Support Squadron. "After that, I sent an e-mail to the squadrons saying, 'our flight is gonna own this,' just harassing them to have fun with it."

By saying the words "bring it," medics will challenge other Airmen to drop down and do push-ups right on the spot.

"I have a couple guys down in logistics who are competing against each other, doing 70 or 80 at a time," Sergeant Hillis said. "We've even had customers come down to get something from us, and they'll drop and do some with us."

While three medics have racked up more than 6,000 push-ups, the Airman with the most is Senior Airman James Parker, from the 3rd MDSS, with 6,780 push-ups as of Jan. 14. However, even with several outstanding individual efforts, the squadron leaders learned that the numbers aren't the biggest concern.

"We found staying motivated every day was the most difficult part of this challenge," Sergeant Hillis said. "But we continue to push each other and keep everybody motivated."

The 3rd Medical Operations Squadron's Mental Health Flight began their own mini competition: Over 30 versus under 30. This contest has members age 30 and older competing against those 29 and younger.

Even Airmen who can't do push-ups are finding ways to stay involved.

"People who are on profile and can't do push-ups, they started doing push-ups against the wall," said Tech. Sgt. Jeremy Alf, from the 3rd Medical Operations Squadron. "And people who can't do push-ups do sit-ups instead."

But this friendly competition goes beyond the walls of the hospital.

"We had a couple guys competing at Med Group bowling," Chief Meenagh said. "If someone got a split, they had to push for the pins they had left. One guy ended up doing over 400 push-ups that night."

With the new PT standards becoming effective in July, participants are seeing significant improvements in how many push-ups they can do in 60 seconds.

"I have an Airman who's PT testing at the end of this month and she usually can just barely do her minimum," Sergeant Hillis said. "I tested her last Friday and she maxed out her push-ups. She was so excited."

With these results, the Arctic medics are challenging other units to set similar unit goals.
"Having other units participate in this would be good, friendly competition," Sergeant Hillis said.

In the meantime, the group is considering how they will mark the end of their competition March 23; possibly ending the challenge with an event at the fitness center. Whether they meet their goal or not, the Arctic medics said they'll benefit from this experience.

"There needs to be more morale builders and physical education programs," said Tech. Sgt. Brandy Walker, from the 3rd Surgical Operation Squadron. "You can't wait until the mission fails because Airmen are in a (Fitness Improvement Program) class. Or they're getting ushered out of the military because they couldn't meet the minimum standard."

In the end, the medics said the primary concern is how this will translate to combat capability.

"Over in the desert, we have equipment that is extremely heavy, not to mention the patients," Sergeant Alf said. "When the time comes when you need to pulled from a fire-fight, can your wingman get you out? That's where 'fit to fight' means something."

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