Physical fitness is crucial element of Warrior Ethos Published Oct. 13, 2009 By Capt. Jesse Johnson 21st Force Support Squadron PETERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Colo. -- "I am an American Airman, I am a Warrior, I have answered my nation's call." The first stanza of the Airman's Creed sets a definite identity for every Airman that above anything else, we are warrior Airman. The term "warrior Airman" evokes a picture of an Airman who is physically, mentally, spiritually, and emotionally ready for battle; ready to answer the nation's call. There's a rumor going around that you may have heard that, "I don't need to be 'in shape' to do my job." At home station, most Airman don't need to wear ABUs either to accomplish their jobs or Air Force Specialty Codes effectively; but we wear them because every Airman who wears it is the "nation's sword and shield, its sentry and avenger." Before we identify ourselves as an AFSC, first of all, we are Airmen living by our warrior ethos. Throughout the history of the United States military dating back to its foundations, the military has always recognized the importance of being fit and how it translates to success on the battlefield. The Air Force is no exception having emerged from the Army in 1947, where men of the Army Air Corps performed daily, morning calisthenics. From its beginning, the Air Force has grasped that being physically fit translates into mission readiness. In today's world environment, more than ever, Airmen need to be prepared at any time to answer the call; they need to be "fit to fight." The Air Force Fit to Fight program was developed so that the standard of being physically ready at all times is fulfilled by every Airman. A chief master sergeant of the air force-directed audit in 2008 found that the current Fit to Fight program did not cultivate a "lifestyle of fitness" and that there were inconsistencies in testing. As a result of these findings, the Air Force Fit to Fight Program will have significant changes implemented Jan. 1, 2010 to better assess all Airmen for fitness to fight, not just if a member is "fit to test" once a year. By making these changes the Air Force desires that every member adopt a continuous healthy lifestyle that will leave every Airman prepared to accomplish the mission. Three major changes result from the reinvigorated program. The first major change is that units will no longer by responsible for testing their own Airmen. Instead, all fitness assessments will be conducted by a Fitness Assessment Cell, a team of civilians solely dedicated to performing fitness assessments. Secondly, Airmen will test twice every year instead of once. This requirement encompasses all active duty, Reservists, and activated Air National Guardsmen. Only ANG personnel who are not activated will remain on the one-test-per-year schedule. The last major change to the program is higher testing standards and the possibility of tougher consequences for not meeting those standards. For example, a male under 30 will have to run 24 seconds faster, accomplish 67 pushups and 57 sit ups to score a perfect 100. To maximize the waist measurement, however, a male will have to have a 35 inch waist as opposed to a 32.5 inch waist. If a member fails to meet the minimum requirements on any component, the overall score, even if above a 75, is an automatic failure. Commanders will now have the ability to act early and often to help Airmen who are struggling to improve their fitness and they'll have more authority to discipline Airmen who aren't getting on board with the new program. There are several other minor changes and additions to the program. Instead of age brackets grouped in five-year increments, they will be in 10-year increments. There will be a below 30 group, 30 to 39, 40 to 49, etc. The new program also recognizes excellent performers. Those scoring in the "excellent" category will be authorized to wear a patch on the physical training uniform similar to the Army's patch program. Because fitness is a readiness issue, the new fitness category names were changed to be similar to an operational readiness inspection/ unit compliance inspection scale where a score of 90 and above is an "excellent," an 89 to 75 score is "satisfactory," and below 75 is an "unsatisfactory". The last noteworthy change is that the parameters will be scored differently. Now, the run will count for 60 points instead of 50 while the waist measurement will only count for 20 points instead of 30. Pushups and sit ups will count for the same amount of points at 10 points each. To make every Peterson Airman aware of the new standards, how testing will be accomplished and scheduled, and much more, additional articles, base "all-calls", and unit diagnostic fitness tests will take place in the coming months as well as educational information to help everyone live a healthy lifestyle. More information including fitness charts, frequently asked questions, and videos can also be found at http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/affitnessprogram/index.asp.