The Space Force is still a ways away from its own physical training guidelines, relying on the Air Force for its PT test while it prepares a “holistic health and wellness” program, according to the service.
For the 2021 calendar year, Space Force will continue to rely on the Air Force’s physical fitness program, Space Force spokesperson Lynn Kirby told Air Force Magazine.
“The Space Force is currently building its first policy to capture the service’s comprehensive approach to holistic health and wellness, which will incorporate the physical fitness program,” she added. “We are exploring options to instill a culture of daily health and wellness that we think will benefit our Guardians.”
Specifics are “pre-decisional,” Kirby explained. Space Force expects to release its policy sometime in late 2021 or early 2022.
Until then, Guardians will take the same test as Airmen, which includes the new alternative exercises the the Air Force announced July 2.
The new guidelines give Airmen five physical fitness assessment alternatives beginning in early 2022, three for the cardio and sit-up portions and two for the pushup component.
The Air Force has not yet finalized assessment scoring charts broken out by gender and age, but Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Charles Q. Brown Jr. said the service is abandoning a “one-size-fits-all model.”
In the cardio area, Airmen can choose between the 1.5-mile run, one-mile walk, or high-aerobic multi-shuttle run. In the strength area, they can choose traditional pushups or hand release pushups. And for the sit-up component, they may instead choose cross-leg reverse crunches or planks.
Airmen and Guardians will have six months to adjust to the new testing options. During the six-month adjustment period, Airmen and Guardians will have the opportunity to continue providing feedback.
Other changes incorporate new fitness science and technology.
Waist measurements will no longer be part of the physical fitness test, but Airmen and Guardians will still have to take a body composition assessment starting in October 2021. They also will soon be able to use the myFitness platform to schedule, access, and submit fitness assessments and upload medical documents. The platform will allow members of the Department of the Air Force to view past scores and reports.
Although the Space Force will incorporate the Air Force fitness standards, it’s likely its service-specific guidance will look a bit difference once it’s developed. Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force Roger A. Towberman previously told Air Force Magazine the focus shouldn’t be on the test but a Guardian’s holistic wellness. “We could do it more efficiently,” he said at the time.