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View Full Version : PT Changes official, specifics in July



CLSE
06-11-2009, 10:39 PM
Saw it on the Edwards base website.

60% for the run, 20% for the "body composition" (no mention on whether that changed to BMI or not), and still 10 whopping points a piece for the push-ups and sit-ups.

Chief McKinley was quoted as saying that fitness is important, and something about making sure people are able to perform in combat situations.

Then a Lt Col (I forget the name at the moment) was quoted as saying that, since aerobic performance is the best indicator of current and future health risk, the run score is increased to 60%.

So, the changes are about fitness, but the scores are based on health risk.

Just like abdominal circumference isn't a measurement of body composition, but that's what it's used for in the PT test scoring (that contradiction is from an AF Medical Service briefing I found - and, yes, the contradiction is in the same briefing).

Oh, but they did say that there are now minimum scores for each of the events now.

So, Airman Snuffy, the fleet-footed nymph who glides lightly around the track now has to do a punishing 12 or so push-ups and sit-ups just to pass the test.

That will show the world that the Air Force is really a bunch of bad mofos.

So, overall change, is nothing.

If you did good on the run before, you'll do better now, points-wise. If you have a small waist, you were good to go before, you're golden now.

BUT, now, Airman Snuffy can't skate out of doing his push-ups and sit-ups, so all the world is well again.

For those of us that aren't fleet-footed nymphs, we should probably start looking for other lines of work.

Oh yeah, the new scoring, etc., comes out July 1st (or there abouts), and the testing will be done by civilians at central test cells.

CrustySMSgt
06-12-2009, 01:04 AM
heard rumor of minimums in each element of the test required for overall pass. Will be glad when the official guidelines are published so we can stop speculating and dramatizing and just do it.

sweatyAZ
06-12-2009, 01:44 AM
Its still neon orange thong time the first time some HAWK person comes to hold my hand for a PT test.

technomage1
06-12-2009, 01:55 AM
A couple of points.

What about winter? Many bases, mine included, experience mild winters - not long or harsh enough to justify an indoor running track, but enough of a temperature drop to bring us out of compliance with the temperature range in the PT AFI for testing. WIth yearly testing, the solution is simple - have everyone test during spring, summer, or fall. But with semi annual testing, even if we test as early as possible in the year, we'd still not have enough time to test in the fall before the temps drop to below the min standard. And there is literally no facility on base, or near the base, large enough to run in (not even a 1/10 mile loop). Are we, and other bases like us, going to get indoor tracks, and if so, what do we do in the meantime?

If civilians are going to be testing us now, what about downrange? At certain deployed locations, they are now testing people (which I have always disagreed with, you take care of that before you deploy). So what will happen there?

Speaking of deployments, some of us are on band E, what about us? There is no way we can meet the 6 month requirement on home station since you have to take into account climitization time (per the PT AFI).

Lastly, PT should be on duty time per the PT AFI. Stop extending our duty day for it. What's fair is fair, if we're held to a AFI then so should command.

fufu
06-12-2009, 10:49 PM
It looks like our wonderful leadership has their heads in the sand again.

Why must they make this so difficult? GET RID OF THE POINTS! Pass/Fail is all you need. Minimum standards in each category. GD, how hard is that to figure out????

I'm stationed up north without an indoor running track. Is there a time category for running with snow shoes on? I guess we'll end up doing 20-something laps around the basketball court or something stupid like that.

sigecaps
06-12-2009, 11:53 PM
I'm stationed up north without an indoor running track. Is there a time category for running with snow shoes on? I guess we'll end up doing 20-something laps around the basketball court or something stupid like that.

Such absurdity would be hilarious to see, and unsurprising. This is the Air Force we are talking about. :)

mfjdspence
06-13-2009, 07:28 AM
Why must they make this so difficult? GET RID OF THE POINTS! Pass/Fail is all you need. Minimum standards in each category. GD, how hard is that to figure out????


Another call for a pass/fail system that does not involve points. Totally agree and wish that they would follow it.

DHarris75
06-13-2009, 10:23 AM
Another call for a pass/fail system that does not involve points. Totally agree and wish that they would follow it.

Got my vote - pass/fail! If there are minimums for each category (which I agree with) than why have the points? If the AF says you must be able to do X amount of pushups and X amount of situps and run in X time...and have under a X inch waist - than hitting all those minimums should equal a pass.

Just seems to subjective to me with this weighted point system. I like the weighted points in promotion - bu not in fitness. You either meet a standard of fitness or you don't. You can either do 30 or 40 pushups or you can't.

Who is more fit - the guy with a 37inch that can run a 11:00, or the guy with the 35inch that can run a 12:30?

Just say you have to run it in X time or you fail. Make it pass/fail. If you pass, press on. If you fail, fix it. I agree with standards, but geez...why do we have to overthink things so much???