Air Force personnel will be scored on the service’s new physical fitness test in July rather than September, with troops having the option to perform the standard two-mile run or a timed 20-meter shuttle run to gauge their cardiovascular fitness.
The Air Force’s now twice-annual assessment comes amid calls from Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth for the military services to ramp up their physical fitness standards. The High Aerobic Multi-shuttle Run requires personnel to run between lines placed 20 meters apart for time periods, with the exercise steadily increasing in intensity.
“Your physical fitness health is important to us, not just as a readiness metric but as a human being as well,” Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force David R. Wolfe said this week in a statement. “When you’re physically healthy, you are not only happier, but in a better position to excel at your job.”
The new test also gives airmen the ability to choose between one minute of standard push-ups or two minutes of hand-release push-ups to measure their upper body strength, and one minute of sit-ups, two minutes of cross-leg reverse crunches or a timed forearm plank to determine their core strength.
“We care about the long-term health of our airmen, and that starts with physical fitness,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Ken Wilsbach said in a statement released this week. “The habits airmen build by working out daily directly impact their quality of life in and out of uniform.”
Physical fitness testing in the Air Force has been paused as the service transitions to the new program. From March 1 through June 30, the tests will be diagnostic to give personnel time to adapt to the new standards. After that, the exams will become official.
“I am confident our commanders will continue to implement a culture of fitness so our warfighters are healthy and ready,” Gen. Wilsbach said.
Physical fitness assessment scores will be included in the performance files for officers and enlisted personnel, Air Force officials said this week.
• Mike Glenn can be reached at mglenn@washingtontimes.com.
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