Maintenance squadron implements fitness program for at-risk Airmen Published June 13, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Whitney Jackson Nellis Public Affairs NELLIS AIR FORCE BASE, Nev. -- The Air Force's physical training is constantly changing to ensure each Airman can withstand the physical conditions of a deployment. Over the years, the physical fitness test has become more challenging while balancing out a cardio and physical standard to make sure Airmen are fit to fight. The Airmen of the 757th and 57th Aircraft Maintenance Squadrons are doing their best to ensure their Airmen are put in the position to excel past the minimum physical training standard. Each squadron has recently implemented a program to gain maximum accountability and motivate their Airmen to go beyond their limits during PT sessions. "Physical training is a huge issue and a responsibility you have to keep up with," said Staff Sgt. Shane Souza, 57 AMXS unit fitness program manager. The Nellis flightline can become one of the most active runways in the Air Force inventory during some of the many exercises which are conducted here. Due to shift cycles and exercises, which can cause the aircraft here to take off at any point in the day, it is hard to organize a PT session for individuals who work on the flightline. Maintenance members, who become essential personnel during these exercises, ensure aircraft are working properly and remain on planned schedules. The unit fitness program managers have however come up with a solution to this problem. By running PT twice a day, all shifts have a chance to participate and unit fitness managers can measure each member's physical training status in order to get them the proper help before it affects their deployment status or career. During these sessions each member is given a mock PT test to identify the members who would not meet the minimum physical training standards. Those Airmen, who don't meet the minimum requirements to pass, go to a mandatory 90 day fitness program. "We advise each Airman to take the allotted 90 days to do better," Sergeant Souza said. "We advise, coach and assist to set them up for success." "Normally you practice how you play," said Tech Sgt. Jonathon Pruss, 757 AMXS unit fitness program manager. "During the 90 days we focus on each individual's weaknesses and on their form, so they don't gain bad habits which can stop them from maximizing their output." The program is an opportunity for Airmen to improve themselves on a more personal level and provides the individual attention each Airman needs to succeed. After the first 42 days, members of the mandatory pt program are allowed to re-test. If they show enough improvement and can meet the minimum physical training requirements mandatory for the Air Force PT test, the Airman is then allowed to forgo the remaining 48 days of the mandatory program for the regular squadron pt sessions. The fitness program is a useful tool the Air Force uses to ensure all our Airmen are fit to fight. The measures the unit fitness managers of the 757 and 57 AMXS are taking to help Airmen meet required physical standards is what exemplifies the no Airman left behind concept laid out in the Airman's Creed and helps the Air Force to accomplish its global mission.
