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JBSA News
NEWS | Oct. 23, 2009

FSS to run fitness test sites

By Patrick Desmond 37th Training Wing Public Affairs

Lackland is already in the process of implementing the civilian-run test sites directed by the revised Air Force fitness program which takes place in January.

Alongside changes to the aerobic component of performance tests and the lowering point value for the abdominal circumference, the responsibility for compliance of the new standards is shifting from individual units to the 37th Force Support Squadron.

Unit Fitness Program Managers and Physical Training Leaders will continue to train Airmen within their unit; however, the evaluation will become the responsibility of civilian proctors working from Fitness Assessment Cells located on base.

The centralized testing sites will be overseen by the staff at Fitness and Sports.

Fitness and Sports director Steve Reichert said conducting testing outside of units relieves the burden of manpower and creates a bias-free environment in order to maintain consistency in evaluations.

"We are going to be the compliance people, instead of the commander having people in his own unit that are already taxed with enough extra duties," he said.

With one of the largest training missions in the Air Force, Lackland is expected to conduct an estimated 30,000-35,000 tests each year, an estimate that includes the additional annual test while taking into account failures and retakes.

The maximum allotted civilian proctors for any base is nine, with the latest guidance of 12 Airmen to one proctor during tests.

Fitness and Sports will begin to fill the base's eight assigned civilian positions as soon as job description are finalized. Gender specific requirements for tape measurements are also being taken into account.
Although a seemingly daunting task, Reichert said strict scheduling and testing 12 Airmen at a time will make the task manageable.

An Airman can expect to take the new fitness test one year from his or her last evaluation, with the second test coming six months after that.

Basic military trainees are expected to adhere to BMT fitness standards and testing. Guardsmen will continue to test once a year.

A final plan for installing the Fitness Assessment Cells, due in January, is awaiting the release of the revised Air Force Instruction and approval from the wing commander.

However, four testing locations are tentatively planned for the Warhawk, Chaparral, Bennett and Median fitness centers due to proximity to the certified quarter-mile tracks.

Reichert said the Air Force fitness program is designed so that all Airmen need is their PT gear to succeed.

Essentially, there isn't a good reason not to pass.

The fitness program puts a lot more emphasis on the individual; disciplinary and administrative action can be taken after the first PT failure. Airmen can take advantage of resources on base and prepare ahead of time.

Many resources are available on base to help Airmen maintain their fitness. The Health and Wellness Center offers a running improvement program, healthy eating classes, body composition programs and access to dieticians while the six base fitness centers provide equipment and quarter-mile tracks.