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***image1***The 603rd Air and Space Communications Squadron reached its goal, for the first time, of 100 percent pass rate for physical fitness assessments. The sqaudron is small, just 86 personnel, but just six months ago it had an 18 percent fail rate.
Lt. Col. Frank Simcox, 603rd ACOMS commander, wanted to move the squadron from one of the least physically fit in the 3rd Air Force to the most physically fit.
“We decided we could not wait until Airmen are due their annual test, but instead needed to test them throughout the year to ensure folks are fit all the time,” he said.
A key was reading, and understanding, AFI 10-248. For example, they had an Airman who could neither run nor test and could not pass without the Aerobic fitness part of the assessment. The Unit Fitness Program Manager, Master Sgt. Pedro Martinez worked with the Health and Welfare Center to sort out options for this Airman.
“AFI 10-248 IC 1 allowed members who were exempt from the 1.5 mile run and the bike test the option to do the three-mile walk. This option skyrocketed one of our members score from an overall score of 10 to 80.5,” Sergeant Martinez said.
The ACOMS has a mandatory formation each Friday at the Ramstein Southside Track during which they conduct a roll call and squadron PT.
The 603rd ACOMS almost saw their perfect record dismantled when the Air Force put out new guidance requiring a minimum pass score of 75.
“One of our first reactions was to get the folks who were between 75 and 79.99 and pre-test them,” said Colonel Simcox.
Those who were having trouble were paired with a mentor. Again, the pursuit of perfection outweighed failure, and once again the ACOMS prevailed with a continued 100 percent pass rate. More important than the simple metrics, squadron personnel are embracing the fit-to-fight concept and exercising for health. “We definitely have more folks who look and feel fit to fight,” Colonel Simcox said.
