307th Bomb Wing implements alternative fitness test

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Tambri Cason
  • 307th Bomb Wing

BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, Louisiana— The first alternate PT assessment for the 307th Bomb Wing was scored Feb. 6 at Barksdale Air Force Base, Louisiana.

The changes to the assessment reflect the Air Force’s effort to assess Airmen’s fitness more effectively.

“We are moving away from a one-size-fits-all model,” said Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q Brown, Jr. in the initial change announced May 2021. “More testing options will put flexibility in the hands of our Airmen – where it belongs. We know not all Airmen maintain their fitness the same way and may excel in different areas. Alternate components provide choices while still providing a mechanism to determine overall fitness.”

While there is now more time to complete some of the new components, they still require physical effort and varying ranges of motion.

The upper-body strength component options include one minute for traditional push-ups or two minutes for hand-release push-ups.

Each new component has been developed to be an equivalent measure of fitness regardless of the chosen method.

The core strength components offered are either one minute for traditional sit-ups, two minutes for cross-legged reverse crunches or a forearm plank held for time.

Airmen may choose from the 1.5 mile run, or the 20-meter High Aerobic Multi-shuttle Run (HAMR) for the cardiovascular endurance portion.

The feedback so far regarding the alternate components is that the strength and core components are achievable, said Master Sgt. Neosha Benson, sustainment services supervisor at the 307th Force Support Squadron.

She said the 20m HAMR is much harder than it looks, so practice is critical.

This feedback was echoed by an Airman who chose alternate testing options during his fitness assessment.

“The HAMR run was a little confusing the first time and a lot harder work than you think it is,” said U.S. Senior Airman Rashad Robinson, 307th LRS ground transportation. “The strength and core components were a little easier to me.”

To view the new scoring charts, schedule a PT test or get more fitness information, visit https://myfss.us.af.mil.