YOKOTA AIR FORCE BASE, Japan -- Yokota Air Base, Japan –Yokota’s Fitness Assessment Cell opened the Samurai Fitness Center to Physical Training Leaders for diagnostic testing and started offering alternative exercise options this past January.
“Providing our Airmen with these options is a step in the right direction toward developing an Air Force that is fit to fight, anytime, anywhere,” said Chief Master Sgt. of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass.
Airmen who are current on their fitness assessments may attempt up to three diagnostic assessments per calendar year, up to 15 days before their official assessment due date. When they complete the diagnostic assessment, they may elect to have the assessment count as their official requirement documented in the Air Force Fitness Management System.
Airmen are able to choose when they are ready to test. They can be conducted by PTLs, FAC Airmen and Unit Fitness Program Managers to members from inside or outside of their units.
In addition to diagnostic testing, the new components implemented in January 2022 include alternative exercise options which can be done in lieu of the traditional components. These alternative options include a cross leg reverse crunch, hand release pushups, a forearm plank and a 20m high aerobic multi-shuttle run.
“We are moving away from a one-size fits-all model,” said Gen. CQ Brown Jr., Chief of Staff of the Air Force. “More testing options will put flexibility in the hand of our Airmen – where it belongs. We know all Airmen maintain their fitness the same way and may excel in different areas. Alternate components provide choices while still providing a mechanism to determine overall fitness.”
This change is the result of Airmen feedback provided to Air Force leaders through physical fitness working groups in conjunction with looking at the way sister services conduct their programs.