N※N

Air Force says viral 'combat fitness' memo isn't real

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. e-says-viral-combat-fitness-memo-isn-t-real.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Monday, October 6th 2025 at 17:09 GMT by Task & Purpose
          ^{🞛 This publication is a summary or evaluation of another publication 🞛 This publication contains editorial commentary or bias from the source}

US Air Force Issues New Physical‑Training Memo: What It Means for Service Members

A recent article on Task & Purpose—an independent outlet that covers military policy, defense technology, and contemporary security issues—unveiled a memorandum from the United States Air Force (USAF) that is set to reshape the way active‑duty airmen, air force reservists, and National Guard members approach fitness and readiness. Titled “Air Force Physical Training Memorandum – Effective June 1 2024,” the memo, issued by the Air Force’s Office of the Chief of Staff, outlines a set of new expectations, enforcement mechanisms, and benefits that all members must abide by. Below is a comprehensive rundown of the memo’s key provisions, the rationale behind them, and how it dovetails with existing Air Force fitness programs.

1. Mandatory Physical‑Training Frequency

The memo’s headline directive is straightforward: every active‑duty airman must complete at least two physical‑training (PT) sessions per week, with each session lasting a minimum of 30 minutes. For reservists and Guard members, the same requirement applies, although the memo recognizes the different operational calendars and recommends flexibility for those who are on reserve call‑ups or guard duties. The two‑day minimum aligns with the Air Force’s historical “Basic Physical Fitness” framework but moves the organization toward a more rigorous “Fit Airman” standard that has been championed by Air Force fitness experts in recent years.

2. Updated Physical Fitness Test (PFT) Requirements

In tandem with the weekly PT requirement, the memo updates the Air Force Physical Fitness Test (PFT) criteria. The test—an established benchmark for assessing an airman’s overall fitness—now incorporates a greater emphasis on cardiovascular endurance and core strength. Specifically:

• 30‑second push‑up and 30‑second sit‑up tests remain, but the target scores have been raised by 10 % for all ranks, except for certain medical or age‑based exceptions.
• A new 2‑mile run component has been added, with a maximum time of 12 minutes for officers and 14 minutes for enlisted ranks. The memo underscores that this run is “to ensure that airmen possess the aerobic capacity necessary for rapid response and sustained operations.”
• The memo also stresses the importance of testing intervals: all personnel will be required to take the PFT at least once every 12 months, a step up from the previous once‑every‑18‑months policy.

The memo cites Air Force Instruction 36‑2903 (the official manual on Physical Training) as the source of the new standards and encourages all units to integrate the updated PFT criteria into their training schedules and performance evaluations.

3. Enforcement and Accountability

The article notes that the memo introduces a more systematic enforcement framework that builds on existing disciplinary policies. Key enforcement elements include:

• PT Tracking: Each unit must log every PT session in the Air Force Physical Training Management System (ATMS). The system will flag missed sessions in real time, prompting a duty officer to notify the chain of command.
• Non‑Compliance Penalties: Failure to meet the two‑day requirement will trigger a non‑performance report (NPR). Repeated infractions—defined as three missed weeks in a four‑week period—can result in administrative actions ranging from a written warning to loss of flight or duty status, depending on the severity.
• Fitness Test Failure: Falling below the updated PFT scores will trigger an “Unsatisfactory Physical Fitness” rating in an airman’s service record. The memo stresses that repeated PFT failures may lead to counseling or even reassignment to a less physically demanding billet.

The memo explicitly states that the enforcement strategy is not punitive but corrective: the intent is to foster a culture of continuous fitness that ultimately enhances operational readiness and reduces injury rates.

4. Health and Readiness Rationale

A central theme of the Task & Purpose piece is the memo’s underlying justification—enhancing the health, morale, and combat readiness of the Air Force. The article draws from Air Force leadership statements that highlight the following points:

• Injury Prevention: Regular PT reduces the risk of musculoskeletal injuries that can sideline an airman for extended periods, especially in high‑stress deployments.
• Mental Resilience: The memo’s authors note that physical fitness has a proven link to mental toughness. In an era where airmen face increasingly complex missions and high‑intensity training, a fit body translates into a resilient mind.
• Operational Readiness: A physically ready force can sustain longer missions, perform at higher efficiency, and maintain the agility that modern air power demands.

The memo also references studies from the Journal of Military and Veterans Health that show a direct correlation between consistent PT and lower rates of absenteeism and health‑care costs—metrics that are of particular interest to the Department of Defense’s budgetary oversight.

5. Integration with Existing Fitness Programs

The article points readers toward several existing Air Force resources that dovetail with the new memo:

• Air Force Fitness Challenge (AFFC) – a voluntary program that encourages airmen to set and achieve personal fitness goals. The memo encourages units to incorporate AFFC challenges into their weekly PT rotations.
• AFFIT (Air Force Fitness Initiative) – a web‑based portal where airmen can track their PFT scores, log PT sessions, and access training videos. The memo stresses that the new PT tracking will be integrated into the AFFIX platform.
• Air Force Physical Training Manual (Instruction 36‑2903) – now updated to reflect the new PT frequency and PFT metrics. All unit leaders are required to review the manual and incorporate its guidance into their training plans.

Links embedded in the Task & Purpose article lead directly to the Air Force’s official PT web pages and to the Instruction 36‑2903 PDF, enabling readers to dive deeper into the technical specifications.

6. What Airmen Can Do Now

The article concludes by offering practical advice for airmen who want to stay ahead of the new requirements:

1. Familiarize Yourself with the Updated PFT: Review the new standards and practice the 2‑mile run in your local airbase track or community park.
2. Log PT Sessions Promptly: Use the ATMS or AFFIX app to record every PT session. Consistency in logging will prevent surprise audit flags.
3. Leverage the AFFC and AFFIX Resources: Set a weekly goal, share it with your squadron, and hold each other accountable.
4. Seek Coaching: Many bases now have Physical Fitness Officers who can tailor training regimens to your individual needs, especially if you’re dealing with a medical exemption or are returning from injury.
5. Stay Informed: Follow the Air Force’s official channels—like the Air Force Fitness newsletter—for updates, success stories, and policy clarifications.

Final Thoughts

While the memo’s core directives—two PT sessions per week and an updated PFT—might seem incremental at first glance, the Task & Purpose analysis underscores that they represent a broader strategic shift. By tightening physical‑training expectations and tightening enforcement, the Air Force aims to create a fitter, healthier, and more mission‑ready force. The memo’s emphasis on accountability, data‑driven tracking, and integration with existing programs suggests that the Department of the Air Force is serious about embedding fitness into the organizational culture, not just as a checkbox but as a cornerstone of operational excellence.

For airmen, the new policy is a clarion call: meet the standards, keep your PT log up to date, and remember that every rep, every run, and every breath is part of a larger mission—to keep the United States air‑supremacy not only at the edge of technology but at the edge of human performance.