Reserve fitness standards differ from former standard, same as regular Air Force

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Andria J. Allmond
  • 512th AW Public Affairs
DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. --  In June, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz announced changes to the Air Force fitness program, having some reservists wondering how the new standards would affect Air Force Reserve Command members.

To answer this question, reservists can refer to Air Force Instruction 39-2905, Fitness Program - the same AFI governing regular Air Force's fitness criteria.

"When the new AFI was being drawn up, they had Reserve personnel present," said Senior Master Sgt. Rachael Gonesh, 512th Aerospace Medicine Squadron health service management assistant chief and the wing's fitness program manager. "We all fall under the same parameters, from being assessed by the same personnel to undergoing the evaluation twice a year."

While there are no differences between the regular Air Force and Reserve instruction and standards, some variation from the former AFI is apparent.

"The subject we are seeing come into play now is not so much the new standards, but differences in how the assessment is being administered," she said. "People are going to need to adjust to the changes."

One of these changes includes having civilian monitors composing the fitness assessment cell staff. Dover Air Force Base has three FAC staff members, which ensure the process is run properly. Overseeing the FAC is an exercise physiologist, the subject matter expert on health and fitness on base.

Another major modification is the termination of the bike test and changes in the walk test.

According to AFI 10-248, the former fitness AFI, the timed three-mile walk was the standard test for AFRC units when the member did not participate in the timed run.

The new fitness assessment requires the member to walk one mile. Their score is calculated using a formula which incorporates body weight, age, gender, time to complete one mile and post exercise heart rate.

The third notable change is the fitness assessment reporting instructions.
When reporting to the FAC, military members must: have their common access card; produce a completed fitness screening questionnaire signed by their unit fitness program manager; wear the correct uniform as outlined in AFI 39-2905; and have profile paperwork (AF Form 422, Notification of Air Force Member's Qualification Status,), if necessary.

"When I tested, there were people who had to be turned away due to their paperwork," said Tech. Sgt. Erica Weatherspoon, 512th Mission Support Squadron and 512th AW member who underwent the fitness assessment with FAC proctors. "That was a notable difference. Some had the correct form, but it wasn't filled out; and others had it filled out, but didn't obtain correct signatures before reporting to the FAC."

Fulfilling the reporting requirements is necessary to participate in the fitness assessment. If not, the member will not be allowed to complete the assessment and will be reported to their unit commander as a "no show." The member's "no show" will also be reported to the fitness program manager.

"The new AFI works to keeps all components of the Air Force at the same standard," said Sergeant Gonesh. "These fitness standards have been here, but they hadn't necessarily been enforced properly before the new AFI. The Air Force Chief of Staff wants Airmen to be healthy and these changes are just our wake-up call."