AF revises aspects of PT standards, tests Published Jan. 28, 2011 By Airman 1st Class Bryan Swink Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. -- Air Force leadership has changed and revised some of the standards regarding the AF physical training test effective Jan. 1. "The revisions did make things clearer for all personnel to understand," said Billy Irions, 87th Force Support Squadron, fitness and sports director. "They added a procedure for members who may become injured during testing. Also, there are clearer guidelines on deployment exemptions to help commanders in accessing officers/enlisted performance reports." If an Airman becomes ill or injured during the fitness assessment and is unable to complete all required components, he or she will have the option of being evaluated at the medical treatment facility, but their test will still count unless rendered invalid by the unit commander. It can only be rendered invalid by the commander after consultation with appropriate medical staff and the FSS commander for ensuring equity across the installation. If the medical evaluation validates the illness or injury, the unit commander may invalidate the test. Airmen will be required to retest within five duty days or when capable based on recommendations. Fitness assessment cell staff will hold scores of Airmen who become injured or ill for five duty days to allow medical and commander review. Scores will be entered on the sixth duty day if the commander does not invalidate the test. Airmen completing the walk test are required to walk as quickly as possible, keeping one foot in contact with the ground at all times. Any attempts to alter heart rate, such as intentional slowing or stopping during the walk test, will violate the test protocol and cause the test to be terminated and result in a test failure. "The walking portion of the test will now happen before the muscular endurance portion," said Irions. "The order of testing will be abdominal circumference measurement, followed by the walk then push-ups and sit-ups." Airmen must test within 90 days following a failed FA. Unit commanders may not mandate Airmen to retest any sooner than the end of the 90 day period. However, an Airman may volunteer to do so. Retesting in the first 42 days after an unsatisfactory test also requires a unit commander's approval, since recognized medical guidelines recommend 42 days as a minimum timeframe to recondition from unsatisfactory to satisfactory status in a manner that reduces risk of injury. Targets in each testing component are now provided. "These targets are designed to illustrate a combination of component scores which would equal an overall 75 composite score," said Irions. "These targets will give the personnel a base line of what to shoot for when they are preparing for the AF fitness test." Any scores under the minimum on any component is now a zero for that component. Airmen will automatically be considered exempt if they are in a deployed location and their current FA expires. Airmen may complete FA's on a voluntary basis if they are deployed for less than a year and the base can administer the tests. If an Airman fails a test before deploying, and their OPR/EPR closes out after the deployment starts when the member has a current failure, the Airman will be marked 'Does Not Meet Standards', unless they volunteer to test and receive a passing score prior to the closeout date of evaluation. However, if an Airman reaches the 91 day mark after the FA failure but before the evaluation closes out, the unsatisfactory score is no longer current and therefore the evaluation will be marked 'Exempt'. The new standards now state the FACs can now test members outside when the current temperature is above 20 degrees. "Management stated to continue testing indoors at Griffith Field House for consistent testing procedures," said Irions. "In March, we expect to resume normal testing on the outdoor, 1 1/2 mile track." For more information about the new AF PT revisions, reference Air Force Instruction 36-2905. Editors Note: Information for this article was provided by the 87th Force Support Squadron.