JOINT BASE CHARLESTON, S.C. –
Do you know when you're scheduled for your next PT test? Do you know how failing this test can affect your career? Are you prepared to test right now?
Answer no to any of these questions and you may be headed for a world of hurt. AFI 36-2905, Fitness Program states in the Commander's Intent that "it is every Airman's responsibility to maintain standards set forth in this AFI, 365 days a year." Year round physical fitness is integral to the accomplishment of the Air Force's mission, and not being physically fit will have an adverse impact on your career and your unit.
Tell me if you've heard this before; "I failed my PT test but I passed the second time." It's good that you passed the second time, but what's the impact of failing an official Air Force test at anytime? The phrase "clearly exceeds" appears on the front of an AF Form 910, Enlisted Performance Report. Did you clearly exceed during the rating period? If you can't attain a passing score before Enlisted Performance Report closeout, the EPR is now a referral EPR. Also you cannot attend professional military education with a failed PT test. You've justified two markdowns on your EPR that can and will affect your selection for promotion, special duty assignments and award considerations. Talk about being a glutton for punishment; PT testing does matter.
Your failing a PT test is just as tangible at the unit level. A failed test means you are now assigned to the Fitness Improvement Program. Your co-workers are left to pick up the additional workload while you're at mandatory PT five times a week. Second, you can't attend combat skills training for an upcoming deployment. Now your unit has to shortfall the tasking or give it to someone else in the squadron with little to no advance notification. Once again; PT testing does matter.
Ultimately it is your responsibility to maintain standards and not bring unwanted stress and burden upon yourself and the unit. If you're unclear about the standards, refer back to AFI 36-2905, Fitness Program for details.
Say it with me, PT testing does matter!