1. Air Education and Training Command I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e Air Force Physical Fitness Program: Need for Change C/ 3 rd class Tyler Moore 4 Nov 08 Develop America's Airmen Today... for Tomorrow

2. 2 Overview Current Program Perceived Need for Changed Recent Developments Summary Questions

3. Develop America's Airmen Today... for Tomorrow 3 Current Program When and Why it Started 1992-2004 Ergometry Cycle Test January 1, 2004 The Air Force Fitness Program is established –Goal: to create a fit to fight culture Tests four areas: aerobic, push-ups, crunches, and body composition. Each area measured by a different event –Aerobic- 1.5-mile run, or ergo-cycle test (for medical) –Push-ups- one-minute push-up test –Crunches- one-minute crunch test –Body composition- abdominal circumference, or Body Mass Index measurement (as of 2005)

4. Develop America's Airmen Today... for Tomorrow 4 Current Program Measuring Physical Fitness Each component has a scale that awards points based on the number of repetitions, time, or measurement Each component of the test holds a maximum value of points Aerobic- 50 Body composition-30 Push-ups- 10 Crunches- 10

5. Develop America's Airmen Today... for Tomorrow 5 Perceived Need For Change Changes sought by many to make program tougher, and more fair 97% of airmen pass the test 55% are overweight and 12% are obese Grading Scale Issues Scores and scales geared toward inflating statistics of the airmen who are in shape Lower scores receive inflated points –ex. For males under 25 - push-ups »62 = 10 pts. »19= 7 pts. »30% of 62 =19 »70% of 10=7

6. Develop America's Airmen Today... for Tomorrow 6 Perceived Need for Change Suggestions to improve program Make test harder Rescale waist measurement Incorporate combat fitness Test more often

7. Develop America's Airmen Today... for Tomorrow 7 Recent Developments Report by Air Force Audit Agency Conducted over 2007 and 2008 At the request of Chief Master Sergeant Rodney McKinley Covered 50 Units Report issued December 2008 Audit Found many deficiencies

8. Develop America's Airmen Today... for Tomorrow 8 Recent Developments Audit findings Fit to test culture has developed Problems with airmen administering test Measurements vary greatly from one year to the next despite no weight gain or loss Standardization is the issue Airmen who fail the test are rarely being punished Only 20% who had failed twice met a fitness review panel 35% of airmen reviewed gain significant weight following annual test Of 321 reviewed 111 gained 9 lbs. within 60 days

9. Develop America's Airmen Today... for Tomorrow 9 Recent Developments What is being done? Changes are being discussed January 13, 14 2009 Officials met at the Pentagon to discuss potential changes to the program Chief Master Sergeant Rodney McKinley reports that everything is on the table for discussion Nothing is definite until Chief of Staff General Norton Schwartz is briefed As of 27 February 2009 no official changes have been announced

10. Develop America's Airmen Today... for Tomorrow 10 Summary Current Program Perceived Need for Change Recent Developments Questions

11. I n t e g r i t y - S e r v i c e - E x c e l l e n c e Develop America's Airmen Today... for Tomorrow