The Air Force is making changes to enhance its physical fitness testing, according to a release. These modifications take effect on Oct. 1, states the Aug. 21 release. The most significant among them deals with the abdominal circumference portion of the physical fitness test that measures an airman’s body composition. “In the future, if an airman fails the AC portion of the test, and passes each of the other three components, we’ll measure that airman using the body mass index taping guidance in [Defense Department] instructions,” said Chief of Staff Gen. Mark Welsh in an Aug. 20 letter informing airmen of the changes. “If the airman meets the DOD BMI standard, they pass the PFT,” he said. The other changes realign the fitness appeal process back to wing commanders, adjust passing standards for airmen who can only test on one component of assessment, and change and simplify the walk test, states the release. (Washington, D.C., report by SSgt. David Salinitri)
Earlier this week, the People’s Republic of China confirmed it is halting its nuclear arms control talks with the U.S., in retaliation for the U.S. continuing to sell arms to Taiwan. The move reinforces a “pattern of behavior” from Beijing, experts say.