The PFA - Pushing Past Your Limits

The physical fitness assessment accounts for 15 percent of your Order of Merit.

FIFTEEN PERCENT!

If you were to take a test in a class worth 15 percent of your final grade--would you want to do well? Of course you would. You would want to do perfectly well.

The PFA consists of 1 minute of pushups, 1 minute of sit ups, and a 1 1/2 mile run. Also, your abdominal circumference is measured. You are given points in each category, and the total is computed out of 100.

In ROTC, you will take this test once a semester.

For some cadets, the PFA is very daunting. For others, it is easy to get 100. Your fitness level will determine how easily you perform on this test. You need to keep in mind that the Air Force--and the military in general--demands a lifestyle of fitness. If you come from a background of poor health habits, now is the time to change.

Most detachments meet twice a week to conduct physical training for one hour. Guess what--this is not nearly enough exercise to get a perfect score on the PFA. Heck, working out twice a week is not nearly enough exercise to be healthy! If you really want to excel, you need to exercise on your own, daily. At least, you need to do 4 to 5 times a week.

I could spend hours talking about different training methods. Some cadets like the gym; others, running. Some do Crossfit, or triathlons. And some simply like to run. It matters a lot less what you do, as long as you are doing something every day. Again, you need to understand that you are joining an organization where being fit is a way of life. If you are determined to do well, you will find the right training tools. Look to those who are consistently succeeding, find out what they do, and build your own active lifestyle.

And lastly, remember that a military job will require a lot of you. It will push you mentally, physically, emotionally, and spiritually. Being able to take your body to a threshold of discomfort will pay huge dividends when it really counts. Someone's life may depend on your ability to push through the stress. In my experience, the PFA is more of a mental toughness test than an actual physical test. Learn to find your limits, and then--blow past them.



(below is a link to the PFA score charts)

http://www.afpc.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-110804-054.pdf