Patriot | page - Westover Air Reserve Base, Mass

Deployers face new PTstandards before CSTRANDOLPH AIR FORCEBASE, Texas (AFNS) -- Airmenpreparing to attend Army-taughtCombat Skills Training prior todeploying to a joint expeditionarytasking in direct support ofcombatant commander or jointtask force ground componentmissions are now required topossess a current and passingfitness assessment, according tonew Air Education and TrainingCommand guidance.The new standards, which alreadyapply to Air Force-taughtCombat Airman Skills Training,took effect Feb. 1.“Joint expeditionary trainingcourses can range from 21 to 70days, and are very physically demanding,”said Lt. Gen. DouglasH. Owens, the Air Educationand Training Command vicecommander.“Due to the physical demandsof the courses, and requestsfrom Air Expeditionary Groupcommanders, Airmen will berequired to have a passing fitnessassessment on record before atbyCapt. Omar VillarealAir Education and TrainingCommand Public AffairsPATRIOT | PAGE 5Patriot Wing commanders serve four Article 15s to AirmenFour Airmen in the 439th Airlift Winghave received Article 15 punishmentswithin the past sixmonths.One Airman was drivingunder the influence ofalcohol and was reduced inrank two stripes from thegrade of senior airman toairman.Another Airman misusedhis government travel cardand was reduced in rank from the grade ofsenior airman to airman first class.tending CST.”If a wing wishes to deploy anAirman to CST without a currentor passing fitness assessment,the Airman must provide a lettersigned by a medical provider andthat letter must be endorsed bythe wing commander or equivalentcertifying the Airman cancomplete specific physical tasksperformed during training.Airmen who attend CST areput through an intense simulationof what they may experiencewhile deployed and must bephysically fit to complete therigorous training, said Col.Chuck Douglass, the 602ndTraining Group (provisional)commander.“Airmen who arrive at CSTafter Feb. 1, not in compliance,will be eliminated from trainingand returned to home station asdirected by AETC leadership,”Colonel Douglass said.For more information on JET,visit jetairmen.af.mil, facebook.com/jetairmenfanpage or keesler.af.mil/units/2ndairforce.asp.Westover reservists with questionsshould contact their unitdeployment monitors.A technical sergeant misrepresented hisprescription drug useto the base clinic andwas also derelict in hisduties to disclose suchuse.He received a suspendedreduction in rankto the grade of staffsergeant.Another technical sergeantwas derelict inthe performance of his official duties andreceived a suspended reduction in rank andWestover fitness policyflexes to Air Force standardsby Master Sgt.Andrew BiscoeWith Westover’s fitnesspolicy paralleling Air Forcestandards requiring reserviststo stay in shape, Airmenwho fail the fitness test willface a four-step process beforepossible discharge.“Being physically fit allowsAirmen to properly supportthe Air Force mission,” saidCol. Robert Swain, 439thAirlift Wing commander,in a recent memorandum tounit commanders.In order to provide consistencythroughout the wing,Colonel Swain directed thefollowing guidance when anAirman has failed the fitnesstest:First failure: Letter ofcounselingSecond: Letter of admonishment/reprimandThird: Additional letter ofreprimand and/or demotionin rankFourth: Demotion in rank,involuntary reassignment, oradministrative discharge.The base fitness policyalso applies to Airmen requestingattendance to anin-residence academy or ProfessionalMilitary Education,reenlistment extensions andpromotion eligibility.PME: Applications forattendance to the followingrequire a current fitnesstest score of 80 percent orgreater to PME includingAirmen Leadership School,Noncommissioned OfficerAcademy, Squadron OfficerSchool, Air Commandand Staff College, Air WarCollege and First SergeantAcademy.Any commander who desiresto approve reenlistmentof a member who is in anunsatisfactory fitness statusmust submit justification inwriting to Colonel Swain.EDITOR’S NOTE: AFI36-2905, C h a p t e r 9 a n dAttachment 19 provide supervisorsextensive guidelines foradministrative and disciplinaryactions.The Air Force Portal Fitnesslink is www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/affitnessprogram/index.aspa suspended forfeiture of pay.EDITOR’S NOTE: Publication of Article 15punishments is intended to serve as a deterrentto members of the 439th Airlift Wing .This article covers four Article 15s, which arenonjudicial punishments under the UniformCode of Military Justice. An Airman whois served with an Article 15 has the option toaccept the Article 15 with punishment imposedby the commander or turn down the Article 15and request a trial by court-martial.All of these Airmen accepted their Article 15sand the punishments below were imposed bythe individual’s commander.