AF Fitness program raises quality of life Published Jan. 14, 2013 By Capt. Rodney Ellison 301st Fighter Wing Fort Worth, TEXAS -- The number of Air Force members administratively discharged from service for failure in the Air Force Fitness Program increased 400 percent since 2010, according to a recent Air Force Times article, yet many individuals continue to neglect their duty to maintain fitness standards. Air Force Instruction 36-2905 outlines the fitness program, the passing scores and possible consequences for failure to maintain standards which includes letters of counseling up to and including administrative discharge. Fitness has been brought into the spotlight, not just by the change in Air Force Fitness standards, but also with rising health costs. Studies show members who participate in a healthy lifestyle adapt to life changes easier, appear to age at a decreased rate and tend to be happier according to studies published in the Air Force Times. Even with gaining emphasis on fitness, some Airmen don't believe fitness has any bearing on their career, or choose not to seek healthy lifestyles. "After just one failure, an Airmen can be prohibited from attending formal schools or TDY's [temporary duty]," said 1st Lt. Jennifer Trahan, 301st Fighter Wing unit fitness program manager. If an individual is denied training it can be detrimental to their career. Airmen can attend training after achieving a passing score on the fitness test, but the time lost while awaiting a retest and a slot in the needed course can never be recovered. People come up with many excuses, one favorite is, "There's no reason for me to invest in my fitness." However, that excuse does not stand up to studies published last year by the Southwestern Medical Center in Dallas. "Aside from helping to prevent heart disease, which is the number one killer in the U.S., it's also about quality of life," said Trahan. "A sedentary lifestyle is not likely to bring anyone happiness." The study also shows the rate at which you appear to age is directly related to the strength of your heart. The more active you are, the healthier your heart will be, and the younger you will look. Avoiding heart disease, having a higher quality of life and looking younger should be reason enough to invest in one's fitness. However, some people who have been around the Air Force for a while feel Airmen don't need to be in shape like the Army and Marines who provide the majority of combat ground forces. As Air Force members deploy more in the joint environment they often supplement Army and Marine Corps units and need to ensure they can perform up to standards. Particularly in the deployed environment fitness becomes a matter of safety and adaptation, "A higher level of health and fitness makes you more adaptable to environmental changes and able to overcome stress easier," said Trahan. "Send someone into a country with a higher elevation, rough terrain and an enemy presence and they will adapt more quickly and be less likely to succumb to illness if their overall fitness level is above average." Most individuals are able to control their own fitness through diet and exercise, this means the ball is in the service members' court to make sure they meet standards. In observance of the season and the desire to make resolutions for the new year, make fitness a daily resolution to not only help your career, but to enable yourself to live a long, healthy life.