Testing... testing

Published Dec. 13, 2016
By Airman 1st Class Nick Emerick
18th Wing Public Affairs

KADNEA AIR BASE, Japan -- Members of the fitness assessment cell, physical training leaders and Airmen participating in the Air Force physical fitness test gather inside of Risner Gym on Kadena Air Base, Japan, Dec. 1 to assess current fitness levels.

Physical fitness testing is a requirement for all Airmen, making sure they are fit-to-fight and carry out their unique components of the Air Force mission across the globe.

“It’s eye-opening, you see a lot of people who are really motivated by fitness,” said Senior Airman Jelani Burrell, FAC member and 18th Force Support Squadron fitness specialist. “It’s also being able to take all sorts of things in to consideration, sometimes people just have bad days.”

Physical training leaders, also known as PTLs, are an integral part of constant mission readiness, conducting regular physical training sessions at the shop and squadron levels as well as helping conduct testing for other Airmen.

“I’m into fitness, it’s something I like to do and I also like helping people out when they want to get fit,” said Senior Airman Robert Prouty, 18th Equipment Maintenance Squadron crew chief and PTL. “I was asked to create a workout plan for our flight as well as help individuals who can’t pass their fitness tests on a case-by-case basis with things like individual workouts or diet plans.”

Prior to testing, PTLs help Airmen by demonstrating proper form on push-ups and sit-ups, as well as making corrections during the test itself. During the running portion of the test, PTLs keep track of laps run by the members on their rosters as well as making sure runners are aware of their current lap time.

“We train PTLs twice a month, every first and third Friday,” said Burrell. “This year we’ve probably trained around 300 PTLs. My favorite part of this job is seeing people who go from a failure to an excellent; being able to see their excitement because of the hard work they put in, working out or coming to things like the fitness improvement program.”

After testing, PTLs and FAC members are in charge of scoring tests and notifying Airmen of either a pass or fail.

“Seeing people who want to become better by working toward their goals every day is one of my favorite parts of this job,” said Burrell.
Beyond testing, PTLs help Airmen improve trouble areas and help to ensure fitness priority across the Air Force.

To become a PTL, Airmen must take a course through the FAC and also help conduct PT tests and lead group fitness sessions.