Dec 17, 2007

Jennifer H. Svan - Stars and Stripes

Although fewer airmen have been discharged each year for being physically unfit since the U.S. Air Force instituted its "Fit to Fight" program in January 2004, the trend is steadily rising.

In 2003, 331 airmen - mostly enlisted members - were administratively separated. That was at a time when the Air Force had specific weight and body fat requirements and required the cycle ergometry test.

Under "Fit to Fight," there are no specific weight requirements, just the abdominal circumference measurement, in addition to the 1.5-mile run and timed push-ups and sit-ups.

In 2004, one enlisted member was separated as a direct result of fitness failure, according to figures provided by Air Force officials at the Pentagon. In fiscal 2005, the number of fitness discharges climbed to seven, with no officers among them. In fiscal 2006, 71 enlisted members and two officers were separated for fitness reasons, and in fiscal 2007, 119 enlisted members - and no officers - got the boot.

Air Force spokesman Capt. Tom Wenz said officials are satisfied with the service's current fitness program.

"The most recent review by the Fitness Advisory Board indicates the test is meeting its goals in increasing the fitness scores of airmen," he wrote in an e-mail to Stars and Stripes.

In August, the Air Force added the three-mile walk as an aerobic test alternative for those who qualify. For example, an airman exempt from the run because of chronic problems aggravated by high-impact activities typically would take the cycle ergometry test, Wenz said. But some medications affect heart rate, making that assessment invalid for some, he said.

"Now with the three-mile walk option, there is a way to assess them that minimizes the risk of further injury and is valid," Wenz wrote.

The Air Force is the second service to add the walk for those with physical or medical limitations. The Army has a 2.5-mile walk.

Among the other military components, the Navy is discharging more sailors for fitness or weight reasons under its new fitness policy.

But Navy officials also said they're seeing a drop in failures, proof that sailors are getting serious about fitness and that the tougher stance is working.

Under the policy, released in August 2005, three failures in four years can trigger automatic separation. Commanders can waive separation for those showing improvement or who are mission-critical.

In fiscal 2006, 1,913 sailors were booted due to a personal fitness assessment failure, either by administrative separation or by not being allowed to re-enlist or extend, according to figures from the Navy Times. Just 65 were discharged for fitness reasons in 2005, according to the newspaper.

The Navy, Marine Corps and Army did not respond to Stripes' queries for current information on fitness discharges.

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