New fitness requirements: 75 is the new 70

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Christopher DeWitt
  • 2d Bomb Wing Public Affairs
BARKSDALE AIR FORCE BASE, La. --  A recently released interim change to the fitness program instruction made five points the difference between those who meet and those who don't meet standards.

Newly formed EPR/OPR requirements for documenting fitness standards have conflicted with previous physical fitness guidance with report instructions calling 75 the minimum passing score.

Prior to the change, individuals were able to score a 70 or higher in order to pass their assessments.

"As long as each Airman scores at least a 75 on their fitness test, the change will be transparent," said Maj. Marshall Green, 2d Mission Support Squadron commander.
The interim change also means that failing to receive a passing score on fitness assessments will now be directly reflected in the new EPR/OPR.

"If an Airman scores a 74.99 or below, their performance report will be annotated as a referral," Major Green said. "Referral reports can have career impacting consequences, but they can also serve as a wake up call for continued successful service. Receiving a referral report is not necessarily a career ending action, but it has a career impact nonetheless."

The fitness program change eliminated the five-point marginal range that gave individuals a passing score but required retesting in six months instead of 12.

"The change shows the Air Force is serious about having a healthy force that is physically fit and can perform efficiently in a combat environment," said Chief Master Sgt. Tim Cooley, 2d Bomb Wing command chief.

"I think it puts an added emphasis on our warrior ethos, and helps ensure our force is fit-to-fight whether in-garrison or deployed around the globe," Major Green added.

"At the end of the day, we cannot afford to deploy our Airman into harms way with an individual that can't pull his or her own weight. Everyone must be capable of achieving and maintaining the standards," the major continued.

Chief Cooley encourages personnel not to focus on the minimum score needed to pass their fitness assemssments.

"If your goal is to meet the minimum score you are on the wrong path," the chief emphasized. "Your goal should be to get the best possible score. The 1.5 mile run, push-ups and crunch test are designed to measure the effectiveness of your PT program ... your training should not be limited to the minimum standards required for success.

Training for those who fail to receive a passing score consists of a Fitness Improvement Program as well as a Healthy Living Program within 10 days of the assessment. Along with program completion, the member must also be tested within 90 days of the failed attempt.

Timelines for the new reports vary by rank and began this month with the final conversion scheduled for January 2008.