FIP keeps Airmen on course

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jamal Sutter
  • 35th Fighter Wing Public Affiars
MISAWA AIR BASE, Japan --  A new wing program beginning June 21 is aiming to get Airmen physically fit for the new Air Force fitness standards.

The Fitness Improvement Program, conceived by base leadership, is a vigorous course geared toward helping Airmen lose weight, build muscular strength and increase cardiovascular endurance. Airmen who receive two or more physical training test failures or three or more failures within a 24-month period will be mandated to attend the FIP, said Mr. Buckalew, Health and Wellness Center exercise physiologist. An individual who passes their most recent test is no longer required to attend.

Each individual will receive unique work-out routines catered to maximize improvements in their problem areas, Mr. Buckalew explained. Members of the program will attend one exercise session per day, five times a week. Sessions occur twice Monday through Friday and once Saturday.

"I will prescreen them before they ever walk in the class," he said. "I will identify the components they need help on. Then, when the member comes in, we will together develop an exercise prescription."

The HAWC with cooperation from the Potter Fitness Center will administer the FIP. The HAWC will also call upon assistance from volunteer physical training leaders who will help lead classes and sessions.

The demand for programs like the FIP is a direct response to issues outlined by Gen. Norton Schwartz, Air Force chief of staff, and Chief Master Sgt. James Roy, chief master sergeant of the Air Force.

"Having attended the senior enlisted leadership summit last month, the message from General Schwartz and Chief Roy was clear," said Chief Master Sgt. Russ Hastings, 35th Fighter Wing command chief. "We need to take fitness standards seriously."

But efforts to highlight the importance of fitness at Misawa are not solely based on seminars and round-table discussions among Air Force leadership. Earlier this year, the 35th FW reviewed its PT scores and evaluated them based on the new fitness standards scheduled to begin July 1. What they found is a significant amount of people would fail the new test. Those numbers caused reason for concern, Chief Hastings added.

"We have Airmen going downrange with failing fitness scores who are not able to do the mission," said the command chief. "Not every unit task code is physically challenging, but more of the positions we fill are becoming so."

The FIP is designed as a guide to help Airmen get on track with their physical fitness - one that members should see as an asset and not a burden, said Mr. Buckalew.

"I hope people don't lose sight of the fact that they are ultimately responsible," he added. "We're going to give them all of these tools. They may look at it as something negative, but in the end, this is really to benefit them."