***image2***Are you “Fit to Fight” or “Fit to Test”? Unfortunately, this question comes up more often than not. Surely, we have all heard this question in one form or another since the implementation of the new fitness program – a program implemented just over five years ago now.
Today, we are an “Expeditionary” Air Force. We deploy to all regions of the world, live in austere conditions and operate out of airfields located in extreme climates. Our Airmen today are operating directly on the frontlines of combat, subject to attack, performing convoy duty, participating in site exploitation and could be called upon at a moment’s notice to defend an air base, a trend that will surely continue to increase, as we continue to evolve and solidify as an expeditionary Air Force.
As members of the world’s greatest Air Force, we must be physically and mentally fit to support the increasing and ever changing Air Force mission requirements. Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force McKinley recently emphasized, “While working to improve fitness levels, it’s important to realize that passing the annual fitness test is not the Air Force fitness goal. Training to the test won’t help as much as a mix of cardiovascular, muscular and flexibility training. To successfully boost fitness levels, we must all make regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle a part of our daily regimen.” As expeditionary Airmen, it is our responsibility to remain in a deployment ready state. Lessons learned from the Global War on Terrorism engagements prove every deployment tests your abilities far beyond the home station environment or at a distant TDY operating location.
You will be asked to unload cargo, construct tents, build defensive fighting positions and secure the base perimeter, long before you get a hot meal or sleep. These new day-to-day demands, placed upon you will stress your ability to operate and to survive. Under these conditions, fitness is directly proportional to your resilience.
The amount of time and energy you devote to your fitness program must be consistent with the growing demands placed on today’s warrior culture. The goal of the Air Force Fitness Program is to get you to participate in a year round physical conditioning program that emphasizes total fitness.
Participating in a regular physical conditioning program will also provide stress relief and prepare you for the demands placed upon you in today’s Air Force. Regular physical conditioning will also aid you in weight management and typically less lost time at work due to health related problems. Other benefits of a year round conditioning / physical fitness program are: decreased risk for chronic diseases, decreased blood pressure, increased immune capability, improved physical stamina, decreased chronic fatigue, relieved tension, added strength, increased endurance and improved agility, to list a few.
I encourage all Airmen to familiarize themselves with AFI 10-248, which outlines the Air Force Fitness Program, and pencil in time for daily fitness. But, better yet, organize a squadron-level physical training program or activity to keep your fellow warriors ready for the fight. You’ll not only be implementing Air Force policy, you’ll be following the advice of General Hap Arnold, who said in 1945: “No man expects to live forever. But the man in perfect physical condition will live longer, especially in combat.”
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***image2***Are you “Fit to Fight” or “Fit to Test”? Unfortunately, this question comes up more often than not. Surely, we have all heard this question in one form or another since the implementation of the new fitness program – a program implemented just over five years ago now.
Today, we are an “Expeditionary” Air Force. We deploy to all regions of the world, live in austere conditions and operate out of airfields located in extreme climates. Our Airmen today are operating directly on the frontlines of combat, subject to attack, performing convoy duty, participating in site exploitation and could be called upon at a moment’s notice to defend an air base, a trend that will surely continue to increase, as we continue to evolve and solidify as an expeditionary Air Force.
As members of the world’s greatest Air Force, we must be physically and mentally fit to support the increasing and ever changing Air Force mission requirements. Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force McKinley recently emphasized, “While working to improve fitness levels, it’s important to realize that passing the annual fitness test is not the Air Force fitness goal. Training to the test won’t help as much as a mix of cardiovascular, muscular and flexibility training. To successfully boost fitness levels, we must all make regular exercise and a healthy lifestyle a part of our daily regimen.” As expeditionary Airmen, it is our responsibility to remain in a deployment ready state. Lessons learned from the Global War on Terrorism engagements prove every deployment tests your abilities far beyond the home station environment or at a distant TDY operating location.
You will be asked to unload cargo, construct tents, build defensive fighting positions and secure the base perimeter, long before you get a hot meal or sleep. These new day-to-day demands, placed upon you will stress your ability to operate and to survive. Under these conditions, fitness is directly proportional to your resilience.
The amount of time and energy you devote to your fitness program must be consistent with the growing demands placed on today’s warrior culture. The goal of the Air Force Fitness Program is to get you to participate in a year round physical conditioning program that emphasizes total fitness.
Participating in a regular physical conditioning program will also provide stress relief and prepare you for the demands placed upon you in today’s Air Force. Regular physical conditioning will also aid you in weight management and typically less lost time at work due to health related problems. Other benefits of a year round conditioning / physical fitness program are: decreased risk for chronic diseases, decreased blood pressure, increased immune capability, improved physical stamina, decreased chronic fatigue, relieved tension, added strength, increased endurance and improved agility, to list a few.
I encourage all Airmen to familiarize themselves with AFI 10-248, which outlines the Air Force Fitness Program, and pencil in time for daily fitness. But, better yet, organize a squadron-level physical training program or activity to keep your fellow warriors ready for the fight. You’ll not only be implementing Air Force policy, you’ll be following the advice of General Hap Arnold, who said in 1945: “No man expects to live forever. But the man in perfect physical condition will live longer, especially in combat.”