Procedures for correcting “poor fit”: vital to discipline; readiness

  • Published
  • By Capt. Adam Koudelka
  • 21st Space Wing Legal Office
Commanders, supervisors, unit fitness program managers and individual members should be aware of the following "poor fit" procedural requirements:

First "Poor Fit" Assessment (<75)
- Member must attend Healthy Living Program (HLP) within 10 duty days of poor fit assessment
- Member must participate in a Fitness Improvement Program (FIP)
-- While on FIP, member must exercise 4-5 days per week (supervised)
-- Member must monitor heart rate/intensity during the FIP
-- Member must document exercise on AF Form 1975 or an electronic tracking system
--- All entries must be signed/validated by FIP class instructor or unit fitness leader at the end of each exercise session
--- Unit Fitness Program Managers (UFPMs) must review AF Form 1975s or electronic system monthly to ensure participation
--- Member must attend monthly HLP follow-up session with the FPM to discuss fitness plan for improvement
- Members who score <75 and have an abdominal circumference >40 inches (male) or >35 inches (female) must be entered into a Body Composition Improvement Program (BCIP)
-- Member must attend first BCIP session within 10 duty days of completing the HLP
-- Member attending BCIP must maintain a food record
- Commanders should not take administrative action (e.g., LOR, LOA, LOC) based solely on the poor fit assessment
- Commanders must take administrative action for unexcused failure to participate in the fitness program
- Commanders may review and determine personnel actions (e.g., eligibility for reenlistment, retraining, formal training, PME, and promotions)
- Member must retest within 42-90 days

Second Consecutive "Poor Fit" Assessment (90 day point)
- UFPM should schedule a Fitness Review Panel (FRP)
- Member continues in FIP
- UFPMs continue to review AF Form 1975s or electronic system monthly
- Commanders must take administrative action (e.g., LOR, LOA, LOC) based solely on the poor fit assessment (see AFI 10-248, Attachment 13 for options)
- Commanders must take administrative action for unexcused failure to participate in the fitness program
- Commanders may review and determine personnel actions (e.g., eligibility for reenlistment, retraining, formal training, PME, and promotions)
- Member must retest within 42-90 days 

Third Consecutive "Poor Fit" Assessment (180 day point)
- UFPM should schedule a FRP
- Member continues on FIP
- UFPMs continue to review AF Form 1975s or electronic system monthly
- Commanders must take administrative action at this point (e.g., LOR, LOA, LOC) based solely on the poor fit assessment (see AFI 10-248, Attachment 13 for options)
- Commanders must take administrative action for unexcused failure to participate in the fitness program
- Commanders must review and determine personnel actions (e.g., eligibility for reenlistment, retraining, formal training, PME, and promotions)
- Member must retest within 42-90 days

Fourth Consecutive "Poor Fit" Assessment (270 day point)
- UFPM should schedule a FRP
- Member continues on FIP
- UFPMs continue to review AF Form 1975s or electronic system monthly
- Commanders must take additional administrative action (e.g., LOR, LOA, LOC) based solely on the poor fit assessment (see AFI 10-248, Attachment 13 for options)
- Commanders must take administrative action for unexcused failure to participate in the fitness program
- Commanders must review and determine personnel actions (e.g., eligibility for reenlistment, retraining, formal training, PME, and promotions)
- Member must retest within 42-90 days

Fifth Consecutive "Poor Fit" Assessment (360 day point)
- UFPM should schedule a FRP
- Member continues on FIP
- UFPMs continue to review AF Form 1975s or electronic system monthly
- Commanders must take additional administrative action (e.g., LOR, LOA, LOC) based solely on the poor fit assessment (see AFI 10-248, Attachment 13 for options)
- Commanders must take administrative action for unexcused failure to participate in the fitness program
- Commanders must review and determine personnel actions (e.g., eligibility for reenlistment, retraining, formal training, PME, and promotions)
- Commanders may take administrative demotion action against a member for failure in the fitness program
- Member must retest within 42-90 days
- Commanders must make a discharge/retention recommendation to 21 SW/CCAttachments:AFI 10-248, Attachment 13

(Editor's Note: This article is one of several highlighting the Air Force Space Command Year of Leadership and its focus on discipline. Information provided from AFI 10-248, Fitness Program (25 Sep 06), chapters 5 and 8; Attachment 13.)