Air Force Reserve Command has seen the fitness stats for its airmen drop dramatically since it implemented the new Air Force fitness program in 2004, say command officials. Statistics released this week show that last year the failure rate was “six times higher” than the rate for active duty Air Force airmen. To help overcome this dire strait, AFRC has started an “intervention program” for those who scored poorly. Part of it includes a Web-based tool that provides general healthy living guidance. For the future, Col. Jim Collier, Reserve surgeon, wants the Web tool to offer “personalized exercise and nutrition prescriptions.”
Airmen and Guardians in the Active and Reserve component, as well as civilian employees, in “mission critical and high-risk populations” are now required to receive influenza vaccinations annually to “preserve force readiness,” according to a recent Department of the Air Force memo.