New fitness standards go into effect July 1

Published June 24, 2010
By John Stuart
Tinker Public Affairs

TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- July 1 is a date Airmen will want to remember. It's the day the Air Force's new Physical Fitness Test standards go into effect, ensuring a more stringent and uniform testing procedure.

Among the main changes to the test is the inclusion of minimum score requirements in each test category. The new test formula is weighted slightly less on the abdominal circumference measurement and places more importance on the run.

Test takers will receive a composite score on a zero to 100 scale, based on these maximum component scores: 60 points for aerobic, 20 points for body composition, 10 points for push-ups and 10 points for sit-ups.

Age brackets will also be simplified on the new test. They will be organized by decade: 29 and under, 30-39, 40-49, 50-59 and 60 and up.

The aerobic component for Airmen on a physical "profile" will be shortened, from a three-mile walk or ergo-bike test to a 1-mile walk.

To pass with satisfaction, Airmen must earn a composite score of at least 75. For an excellent rating they must achieve a 90 or better.

The new requirements call for Airmen to take the PT test twice a year, unless they score a 90 percent or better. Those scoring a 100 percent will receive a fitness coin and a letter of commendation will be sent to their commanders.

The tests will no longer be administered by unit physical training leaders. Instead, five new civilian test administrators have been on staff at Tinker since February, forming the base's Fitness Assessment Cell. Their sole responsibility is to administer the some 16,000 fitness tests that the FAC expects to grade at Tinker each year.

They will grade all Air Force personnel at Tinker, not just those assigned to Air Force Materiel Command.

The FAC evaluators will administer all tests at their offices Mondays through Thursdays at the Health and Wellness Center. Ninety-six Airmen will be evaluated each day, in groups of no more than 24. No more than six Airmen will be evaluated by a single FAC member at any one time. During the summer months all tests are performed before lunch, starting at 6 a.m. Unit fitness program managers will still schedule fitness tests for their Airmen.

"We want to be consistent and fair, that's what we're really shooting for," said Brian Armstrong, the FAC lead. "One of the main problems with the PT testing program was that it was inconsistent.

"The most important thing is that we're here for the Airmen, to coach them through it to make sure it's a good experience for them."

The five FAC staff members are dedicated to their work. A look at their PT test scores should indicate as much. Though not required to take the test, Armstrong scored a 100 percent when he took the test this year, and another grader -- Ralph Humphrey -- recorded a 1.5 mile run time of 8:38 recently, the third fastest run time at Tinker to date.

Since February, Airmen have received two scores for their fitness tests - one score under the old requirements and one with the new ones. Pass fail rates have generally been the same, Armstrong said.

"The new score more or less mirrors the old score," Armstrong said. "Generally if people did well on the old one, they'll do well on the new one."

Armstrong and Humphrey are also helped by teammates Cody Brooks, Mike Comfort and Stacie Kendrick.

Fitness test