Several months ago, airmen were notified that changes would be made to strengthen and refine the physical fitness testing standards and methods.

The changes began in January when airmen began taking a physical fitness test twice a year.

The second phase will kick off July 1, when airmen will be required to meet higher standards and will be proctored by civilian fitness testing technicians to ensure standardization.

"The new PT testing requirements will hold a lot of people accountable in meeting the physical fitness standards and keeping things fair," said 1st Lt. Kira Miley, sustainment flight commander for the 62nd Force Support Squadron. "The new testing methods will help to maintain the integrity of the test."

The physical fitness test is comprised of a 1.5 mile run, sit-ups, push-ups and a waist measurement.  The changes to the test include a change in the scoring matrix from five to 10-year age increments and adding minimums to each category of the test. If individuals fail to meet minimum standards in any category, they will fail the entire test. Airmen must also keep in mind that meeting the minimum in each category will not give them the 75 points needed to pass the test.

For example, using the new criteria, a 30- to 39-year-old woman can run 1.5 miles in less than 16:57 minutes and earn 40.8 points out of 60; have a waist measurement of less than 35.5 inches to get 12.8 points out of 20, complete 14 or more push-ups in one minute to score 5 points, and perform 29 sit-ups in one minute to earn 6 points.  The old standards would have garnered the servicemembers higher scores.

"Based on the statistics found during the ‘testing' phase, when the new standards kick in, the Air Force is expecting a 1 in 4 failure rate," Miley said.

In preparation of the implementation of the new scoring criteria, some units at McChord Field have started giving calculated scores to the servicemembers using the new criteria so members know where they stand, Miley said.

"The calculated scores show about a 25 percent failure rate," she said. "As a result, some units are requiring airmen to attend healthy living classes, and are stepping up physical training."

The importance of passing the test is reinforced by a variety of administrative actions that commanders can utilize. Per Air Force Instruction, a commander must make a discharge or retention recommendation to the wing commander when the individual remains in the unsatisfactory category for a continuous 12-month period or receives four unsatisfactory fitness assessment scores in a 24-month period.

"A commander may take into account the member's medical status, efforts to improve and overall attitude when considering administrative action," Miley said.

Despite the increased standards required to pass the PT test, many airmen are encouraged by the other changes made to the program, the lieutenant said.  The new requirements ensure that everyone is tested consistently against the standard and by an unbiased party, she added.

Although some people are a bit disgruntled with the change, most airmen see it as a positive move.

"As an airman, I like the idea of civilians testing us," said Senior Airman Kirsten Wicker, who works in the 62nd Airlift Wing public affairs office. "It can be so frustrating when you go out and work really, really, hard and then you see somebody else who did not work as hard get the same score you received because their buddy helped them out or they cheated."

The following is a Web site to visit for more information on PT Standards for the Air Force. http://www.afpc.randolph.af.mil/affitnessprogram/charts.asp