The new OPR and EPR forms are changing. The EPR will basically be a one page and the PT scores of "pass or fail" on it.

For the first time, whether Air Force personnel passed their fitness tests will be a part of performance reports — a crucial part of the promotions process.

The change reflects the service$)C!/s increased emphasis on physical conditioning, sparked in 2003 because then-Chief of Staff Gen. John Jumper was worried his force was not physically up to the demands of Iraq and Afghanistan.

The Air Force changed its fitness program in January 2004, requiring airmen to pass an annual test with running, sit-ups and push-ups, instead of using a stationary bike.

Leaders also decided at the time to make pass/fail documentation of the fitness test a part of airmen!/s evaluations — but not before giving the force adequate time to adjust to the new standards.

Full story here.

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I have a major problem with this. I agree that we should all be held to the some type of fitness standard. However for people that fail their PFT due to extenuating circumstances to recieve a referral EPR I think is a bit extreme.

I have a troop who was diagnosed with a heart condition a few months before his PT test. He was told by the doc that he could not perform any excercise that would raise his heart. This limited his test to the body waste measurement alone. He most likely would have passed (actaully I'm sure of it) if he had been able to perfom the other three sections of the test. Since he was limited to only the waste measurement, he ended up failing. I believe he should have been waived from this test. Our PTL here at Yongsan and the HAWC at Osan (I called and asked) say he is ok to be tested by waste measurement only, despite the fact that AFI 10-248 states otherwise.

Exemptions. Members are mandated to complete a composite fitness assessment annually. Optimally, members should complete the entire composite test, but at a minimum, the aerobic and AC measurement requirements must be met every 12-months. Exemptions are designed to categorize members as unable or unavailable to train or test for reasons beyond the control of the member or commander for a
limited time period as outlined in Table 3.1.

Maybe I don't have a great command of the english language but when I see "at a minimum" I would have to say that means "you have to at least be able to do the waste measurement AND the run". If someone can explain to me how that means something else please feel free. I even read this to the person at the HAWC she told me that's not what it means. I also posed to her the question that why would anyone be exempted since really anyone can at least their waste taped. The answer I received was "pregnant women and ppl who had just received stomach surgery" are really the only people who would receive an exemption.

Does this sound a little bit off to anyone other than me?

I know most of this is directed at the actual PT program and not the new evaluation system but it comes into play because now I have to give my troop and automatic reffereal EPR because he has a heart condition.

I was never a fan of blanket rules because there are always extenuating circumstances and every situation is different.

Please respond with your thoughts.

As I have said in previous posts on another subject, This is why God made the I.G. System.

Too many times junior officials purport to be final authorities, but they are not. Take it to the Inspector General, and rest assured it will come out better.

So do you agree that I am interpreting that AFI correctly?

I am retired AF. I do not have the AFI in front of me, but it appears that extenuating circumstances should be obvious. Referrals are never a good thing. Again, I say ask for AF IG assistance at Osan. Let us know how it comes out.

First, I'm not qualified to answer the PT question. I'm sure there are kinks in the system, and hopefully they can get worked out before anyone's career suffers.
Now, as to the EPR forms... I think it's about time the EPR and the feedback forms match. I also like the streamlined bullet areas; less fluff, more impact.

I am thinking that aerobic is not just limited to run time, but also includes the cycle test. The cycle test is still in play. However, if he is diagnosed with a heart condition, he should be waived by a doctor. Believe it or not, you do have the option of getting a second opinion when it comes to profile matters. If he is exempted from testing, than the new EPR has an "Exempted" block on it so it will no affect him. However, if his heart condition is of concern, he could be MEBed. I'd rather take the MEB way out than a referral EPR.

Thanks guys for your input, I totally agree that if you have to find your way out the door a MEB is much better than getting pushed out with a referal. Hopefully they can get his health situation sorted out and he can test and past. He has some time before his EPR is due. I'm just pissed cause he is one of my best workers and I think the system sucks...