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Physical fitness now affects EPRs, OPRs

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman John Gordinier
  • 20th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
The Air Force's new enlisted and officer performance report has been implemented at Shaw, which is now partly subject to fitness evaluation scores thereby possibly affecting careers and promotions.

Since Air Force's Fit-to-Fight policy came into effect, commanders, first sergeants and NCOs in charge have been stressing to all Airmen the importance of physical fitness.

"Airmen are doing more now than ever before," said Col. Jim Post, 20th Fighter Wing commander. "Being physically fit is very important, especially for deployments. We must be physically, mentally and spiritually ready for any challenge we may endure in the area of responsibility."

The new EPRs and OPRs have a fitness assessment area where the rater will mark the ratee as "Does Not Meet, Meets, or is Exempt" for the fitness standards, said Staff Sgt. Jennifer Young, 20th FW Public Affairs information management NCO in charge.

If an Airman gets a score below 75 in the fitness evaluation, they do not meet the fitness standards and will have to retest at a minimum of 42 days and a maximum of 90 days later, said Penny Cook, 20th Aeromedical Squadron HAWC fitness program manager. Also, they will have to attend the Healthy Living Program, which educates the Airman on nutrition and fitness.

If an Airman has not passed his or her physical training test before their EPR or OPR is written they will get a mark of "Does Not Meet" in the fitness standards area, said Senior Airman Jennifer Dorman, 20th Mission Support Squadron evaluations counselor.

"If you don't meet the fitness standards, your EPR (or OPR) becomes an automatic referral," Airman Dorman said. "A referral is comments that refer to behavior not meeting minimal acceptable standards of performance, personal conduct, character or integrity. From that point on, it is up to the rater to decide what the ratee gets on their EPR/OPR."

"I believe the added fitness section to the new EPR and OPR format will help motivate Airmen to work out more," Colonel Post said. "Due to pride in ourselves, the Air Force and our unit, we will put more effort into physical fitness and make it a part of our regular routine instead of something we do just prior to the PT test."