YOU - 440th Airlift Wing

FITNESS TEST &AF CORE VALUESBYLT. COL.DUNCANH U G H E S4th AEROMEDICALMEDICINE SQUADRONSEYMOUR JOHNSON AFBSTRIVE FOR EXCELLENCE-Setting a minimum goal may lead to test failureI recently heard the very interestingstory of a thought provokingphysical training test failure.The story was about a young,fit Airman who scored an overall87 on his test. He studied thescoring system ahead of time andknew exactly what it would taketo pass. During the test, he accomplishedthe minimum sit-upsand push-ups with more than 30seconds to spare, the abdominalcircumference and run wentperfectly. After breezing througheach part of the test, he strodeconfidently back to his work sectionand logged onto a computerto print out the score sheet.Soon the gut-wrenching realitycheck of pre-testing for theminimum requirements provederroneous. A misread of the chartresulted in a single componentfailure. An additional sit-up wouldhave earned a passing score of 87.He promptly approached hischain of command lamentingthe honest mistake made andtalked about his ability to do twiceas many sit-ups. The responsereceived from his commandersurprised him while providing somefood-for-thought for other Airmenthinking about doing the same.The commander asked him torecite the United States Air Forcecore values. While surprised at theapparently tangential request withunclear relevance to the situation athand, the Airman replied, “Integrity,Service before self, and Excellencein all we do.”The commander then asked,“Are you sure you got that lastone right? Did you say ‘excellence’in all we do or did you meanthe minimum in all we do?” Thecommander explained that he didnot set his sights on achieving thebest possible performance and hedid not aim for excellence. Thus, apoor operational risk managementdecision resulted.By accepting less than excellence,the Airman opened thedoor to unnecessary risk. Thetest assesses more than physicalfitness. It also tests who an Airmanis at their core and is like anyother challenge one faces in anAir Force career. It also measurescharacter, motivation, disciplineand perseverance. While this failuremay not have been a fitnessissue, it was a failure in strivingfor excellence and in allowingour core values to permeate ineverything we do. Statistically,more than half of the fitness testfailures in my squadron are dueto a single component failure.Many Airmen attest to trainingfor the minimums in hopes ofpassing. When they don’t succeed,they point fingers at the new fitnessstandards and the process.It’s clear all Airmen must have achange in mind-set. Before takingthe fitness test, think about yourgoals. Ask yourself if you’re trainingto meet the minimum standards orstriving for excellence? If your answeris the former, you might wantto recalculate your operational riskmanagement before your next fitnessassessment.Further, acceptance of mediocrityis rarely found in just one part ofa person’s life.My advice to all Airmen is simplydo not allow the acceptance ofminimum standards into your fitnesstraining, life, work or marriage.Accepting the minimum quicklybecomes a slippery, steepeningslope. Strive for excellence andaccept nothing less!100% EXCELLENTCOMBAT AIRLIFTERSLt. Col. Theresa KernLt. Col. Kimberly RobinsonCapt. Joshua Ziebell2nd Lt. Johnathan DamonMaster Sgt. William BullockMaster Sgt. James ZuehlkeTech. Sgt. Byron LingTech. Sgt. Edward WilkersonStaff Sgt. Mary SmithSenior Airman Mathew BaskervilleAirman Basic Joshua MixonAir Force Fitness Website:www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/affitnessprogram/index.asp/March 2011440th Airlift Wing/Fit-to-Fight 8