Will the Air Force eliminate mandatory physical fitness training?

October 29, 5:52 PMLA Military Headlines ExaminerMark Nero

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The U.S. Air Force is considering becoming the first of the four major branches of the military to eliminate mandatory physical fitness training, according to a new article in Stars & Stripes.

Even though it's preparing to implement a more stringent physical fitness test in a couple of months, the USAF is looking at not compelling airmen to exercise a certain number of hours every week.

Under the proposal, commanders would no longer give airmen a minimum of 270 minutes a week to exercise during duty hours, according to the article. However, airmen would still have to be prepared to pass the new, more stringent PT tests.

The proposed tougher standards include testing airmens' fitness twice a year instead of once, and giving commanders the authority to discharge airmen who fail two consecutive PT tests. Currently, an airman must fail four PT tests in a year to be considered for discharge.

Air Force officials say eliminating mandatory PT is intended to give commanders more leeway in designing and scheduling PT programs to meet their unit’s needs and mission.

Commanders are highly encouraged to continue with the fitness program, but it’s not going to be mandatory," Maj. Richelle Dowdell, an Air Force spokeswoman at the Pentagon, told Stars & Stripes.

Under current USAF fitness guidelines, squadron commanders implement and maintain a unit or squadron PT program while also ensuring that all members are permitted up to 90 minutes of duty time for physical training three times a week.

The other services have similar guidelines: the Navy doesn’t mandate unit PT, but recommends that commanders give sailors at least three 60-minute workout sessions during duty hours each week, Navy spokeswoman Katie Suich told Stars and Stripes.

In the Army, about 90 minutes a day is allowed for physical training during duty hours, according to an Army spokesman, Lt. Col. Lee Packnett.

And in the Marine Corps, commanders must ensure that Marines perform at least five 30-minute physical training sessions each week, according to USMC spokesman 2nd Lt. Brian Villiard.