19.1 USAF Fitness & Comprehensive Airman Fitness

Air Force PFE Promotion Fitness Examination

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1 Introduction & Exam Overview

1.1 PFE Exam Facts & Format 1.2 The WAPS Scoring System 1.3 The Tested AFH 1 Chapters & Study Strategy

2 Professionalism (AFH 1, Chapter 1)

2.1 The USAF Professional & the Profession of Arms 2.2 The Air Force Core Values & Their Virtues 2.3 Ethical Standards & the Airman's Creed

3 Military Organization & Command (AFH 1, Chapter 5)

3.1 The United States Armed Forces 3.2 The Military Departments & Services 3.3 Military Command Structure & Combatant Commands 3.4 The Air Force Total Force 3.5 Air Force Organizational Structure

4 Enlisted Force Development I (AFH 1, Chapter 7A–7D)

4.1 Leadership Levels 4.2 The Enlisted Force Structure & Tiers 4.3 Duty Titles & Special Positions 4.4 Force Development & the Competency Framework

5 Enlisted Force Development II (AFH 1, Chapter 7E–7H)

5.1 Training Responsibilities & Upgrade Training 5.2 Professional Military Education 5.3 The Community College of the Air Force 5.4 Continuing Education & Voluntary Programs

6 Assessments & Recognition (AFH 1, Chapter 8)

6.1 The Airman Comprehensive Assessment 6.2 Performance Evaluations & the EPB 6.3 Reenlistments, Retention & Continuation 6.4 Awards & Decorations

7 Enlisted Promotions (AFH 1, Chapter 9)

7.1 Promotion Systems & Programs 7.2 Promotion Cycles & Eligibility 7.3 Preparation & Individual Responsibilities 7.4 Promotion Testing & Test Control 7.5 Evaluation Boards & Central Selection

8 Personnel Programs & Benefits (AFH 1, Chapter 11)

8.1 Benefits & Services 8.2 Leave & Authorized Absences 8.3 Military Associations & Civilian Programs

9 Finance, Manpower & Resources (AFH 1, Chapter 12)

9.1 Individual Finances & Allowances 9.2 Official Travel Expenses & Allowances 9.3 Manpower Management 9.4 Resource Management & Stewardship 9.5 Environmental Commitment

10 Developing Organizations (AFH 1, Chapter 13)

10.1 Strategic Thinking & Results Focus 10.2 Resources & Organizational Structure 10.3 Change Management & Problem Solving

11 Developing Others (AFH 1, Chapter 14)

11.1 Teamwork & Team Dynamics 11.2 Develops People: Mentoring, Coaching & Feedback 11.3 Service Mindset & Fostering Effective Relationships 11.4 Leadership: Styles, Power & Influence

12 Developing Self I (AFH 1, Chapter 15A–15C)

12.1 Accountability & Self-Management 12.2 Military Communication 12.3 Preparing to Communicate

13 Developing Self II (AFH 1, Chapter 15D–15F)

13.1 Written Communication 13.2 Spoken Communication 13.3 Electronic Messaging

14 Developing Ideas (AFH 1, Chapter 16)

14.1 What We Know: Priorities & Innovation 14.2 Cognitive Processes & Critical Thinking 14.3 Informed Decision-Making 14.4 What We Don't Know: Uncertainty & Assumptions

15 Emergency Management (AFH 1, Chapter 17)

15.1 Air Force Emergency Management, Disasters & Hazards 15.2 Preparedness, MOPP & Individual Protection 15.3 Crisis Response & Recovery 15.4 Department of the Air Force Mishap Prevention 15.5 Risk Management

16 Security (AFH 1, Chapter 18)

16.1 Integrated Defense & Force Protection Conditions 16.2 Operations Security (OPSEC) 16.3 Information Protection & Classification 16.4 Information Access, Cybersecurity & Mobility 16.5 Antiterrorism

17 Standards of Conduct (AFH 1, Chapter 19)

17.1 A Way of Life: Oaths, Standards & Off-Duty Conduct 17.2 The Law of War 17.3 The Code of Conduct

18 Enforcing Military Standards (AFH 1, Chapter 20)

18.1 The Air Force Inspection System 18.2 Individual Accountability & Corrective Action 18.3 Appropriate Working Relationships & Fraternization 18.4 Addressing Misconduct & Prohibited Behavior

19 Fitness & Readiness (AFH 1, Chapter 22)

19.1 USAF Fitness & Comprehensive Airman Fitness 19.2 The Official Fitness Assessment 19.3 Nutrition & Performance 19.4 Substance Use, Abuse & Treatment Programs 19.5 Readiness State of Mind & Resilience

20 Military Customs & Courtesies (AFH 1, Chapter 24)

20.1 Honored Traditions: Saluting, Titles & Reporting 20.2 Respect for the Flag 20.3 Respect for Individuals 20.4 Ceremonies & Events 20.5 Drill & Formation 20.6 Preserving Our Heritage

21 SJT Format & Competencies

21.1 SJT Format & Mechanics 21.2 Airman Leadership Qualities (ALQs) 21.3 Foundational Competencies & Behaviors

22 SJT Reasoning, Scenarios & Traps

22.1 SJT Reasoning Strategies 22.2 Sample SJT Scenarios 22.3 SJT Traps & Best Practices

19.1 USAF Fitness & Comprehensive Airman Fitness

Key Takeaways Explain This Topic AI

DAFMAN 36-2905, Air Force Physical Fitness Program, governs Air Force fitness and applies to the RegAF, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, and the United States Space Force.

The Body Composition Program uses the Waist-to-Height Ratio, calculated by dividing waist circumference by height, assessed annually within the member's birth month.

A Waist-to-Height Ratio below 0.55 meets the standard (low-moderate risk); above 0.55 does not meet the standard (high risk).

Physical Training Leaders must maintain a fitness assessment score of 75.0 or higher; if the score drops below 75.0 or becomes noncurrent, the certification is voided.

A Fitness Assessment Cell augmentee supervises Airmen conducting components at a ratio of no more than 12 Airmen for every one augmentee.

Last updated: August 2026

Why Fitness Is a Readiness Issue

Per AFI 1-1 , "USAF members must be physically fit to support the USAF mission." AFH 1 states the payoff plainly: "An active lifestyle increases productivity, optimizes health, and decreases absenteeism, which helps maintain a higher level of readiness."

The goal of the Physical Fitness Program (PFP) is "to motivate all Airmen to participate in a year-round physical conditioning program that emphasizes total fitness, to include proper aerobic conditioning, muscular fitness training, and healthy eating."

Three elements of total fitness — aerobic conditioning, muscular fitness training, and healthy eating — and the program is year-round , not built around test day.

The governing publication is DAFMAN 36-2905, Air Force Physical Fitness Program , and its scope is broad: "applicable to the entire Department of the Air Force, including uniformed members of the RegAF, the Air Force Reserve, the Air National Guard, and the United States Space Force."

Roles and Responsibilities

AFH 1 lists a long chain of program roles. These are the ones an NCO is most likely to meet or hold.

Role Key responsibilities

Installation or Base Commander / ANG Wing Commander Oversees the PFP ; provides an environment supporting a healthy lifestyle; renders final decision on plans to appoint certified Physical Training Leaders and Unit Fitness Program Managers to augment the Fitness Assessment Cell; renders decision on 1.5 Mile Run, 2 Kilometer Walk, and 20-Meter HAMR courses after collaboration with Civil Engineering, Force Support, and Wing Safety ; appoints a noncommissioned officer or senior noncommissioned officer of any AFSC to serve as the Fitness Information Manager

Commands and Units Establish and enforce a unit PFP ; ensure appropriate administrative action in cases of non-compliance ; determine whether assessments are conducted internally with a Unit Fitness Assessment Cell or with the installation FAC ; appoint individuals in writing to augment the FAC

Unit Fitness Program Manager (UFPM) A unit Airman responsible to the commander for the unit PFP who serves as the liaison between the unit commander, FAC, and the Fitness Program Manager . Reviews and approves scheduling requests, validates the Fitness Screening Questionnaire and AF Form 469 status , refers members with high-risk FSQ responses to a provider , notifies the commander of Airmen failing to show for any Fitness Improvement Program appointment , and initiates and maintains PFP case files in a secured location . Provides fitness metrics and unit status report to the commander monthly

Fitness Assessment Cell (FAC) Manager Oversees the operation of the installation FACs ; the FAC is centralized under the Force Support Squadron and augmented by installation PTLs ; conducts PFAs and inputs scores in myFitness

FAC Augmentee Airmen trained to oversee and administer fitness assessments — an additional duty not associated with any AFSC . Supervises Airmen conducting components at a ratio of no more than 12 Airmen for every one FAC augmentee. Documents and signs results on a hard copy DAF Form 4446 and obtains the Airman's signature, providing a copy to the Airman

Physical Training Leaders (PTL) Airmen trained to lead unit physical training exercises and administer fitness assessments

Airman Maintains individual year-round physical fitness through self-directed and unit-based programs; notifies the UFPM, FAC representative, or chain of command in writing of the need to schedule the assessment ; monitors exemptions and schedules medical appointments ; completes the Fitness Screening Questionnaire ; and notifies the UFPM upon receiving an AF Form 469 with fitness restrictions

Two Numeric Rules to Memorize

PTL fitness standard: "Will maintain a fitness assessment score of 75.0 or higher. If, at any time, a PTL's fitness assessment score drops below 75.0 or becomes noncurrent, the certification will be voided." To reinstate, the member must achieve a passing score and re-accomplish necessary training .

PTL certification requires three things: hands-on Basic Life Support training (or equivalent), CPR/AED training, and fitness assessment procedures training. An Airman cannot administer fitness assessments or lead unit fitness training until all training requirements are completed.

FAC augmentee supervision ratio: no more than 12 Airmen for every one augmentee.

• On the scorecard: "Use of the DAF Form 4446 is mandatory. Locally-produced scorecards cannot be used."
• The Body Composition Program

Effective January 2023 , in accordance with DoDI 1308.03 , the Air Force implemented a Body Composition Program (BCP) replacing the abdominal circumference measurement removed from the Physical Fitness Assessment in December 2020.

The mechanics:

• The BCP requires an annual Body Composition Assessment (BCA) within the member's birth month
• It uses the Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) , calculated by dividing waist circumference by height

Implementation started 1 April 2023 with a one-year adaptation period , extended on 8 April 2024 and remaining in effect until 180 days after publication of AFMAN 36-2912, Air Force Body Composition Program

• During the adaptation period, administrative actions based solely on BCA results are not authorized
• The Standard

• Result Meaning
• WHtR < 0.55 Meeting Standard (Low-Moderate Risk)
• WHtR > 0.55 Not Meeting Standard (High Risk)

0.55 is the number to memorize , along with the fact that the ratio is waist circumference divided by height — not height divided by waist.

• The initial recorded BCA is considered a "baseline assessment."
• Roles Under the BCP
• "The BCP is a unit commander driven program."

Role Responsibilities

Commanders Execute, enforce, and ensure administration of the BCA across the unit ; identify male and female Body Composition Managers — units must have at least one of each sex, with no grade requirement ; purchase required equipment (a non-stretch tape measure in inches)

Body Composition Managers (BCM) Attend mandatory training before executing duties ; administer BCAs within the unit and only assess members of the same sex , using the member's sex reflected in the Military Personnel Data System ; input WHtR results into myBodyComp ; inform the unit commander of Airmen who do not meet program requirements

Airmen Assess annually within their birth month or 12 months ; may opt to accomplish the BCA one calendar month before their birth month to allow flexibility; BCAs will not be taken when a member has a deployment, commander, or ARC non-participating exemption , and members must accomplish a BCA within two months after the exemption expires

All members will have a BCA taken when on a medical restriction unless an AF Form 469 indicates a BCA exemption.

The Improvement Program Ladder

Stage What happens

First identified with WHtR > 0.55 Enroll in a 12-month required informal self-directed Body Composition Improvement Program (BCIP) . The Airman must schedule a medical evaluation and assessment for risk factors , review the Health and Readiness Optimization (HeRO) Body Composition Guide , and develop a body composition improvement action plan submitted to the BCM and unit commander. Enrollment in the informal self-directed BCIP is not considered a failure to meet the standard , and commanders will not take administrative actions during it

Still not meeting standard after the informal program Enroll in a formal self-directed BCIP. Enrollment in the formal self-directed BCIP is considered the first failure to meet the BCP standard. Reassessments occur during the next birth month or 12 months from the last BCA

Repeated failures When no medical condition exists that would preclude meeting the standard , commanders will consider administrative actions to include separation

The informal/formal distinction is the most testable point in the BCP passage: informal enrollment is not a failure; formal enrollment is the first failure. An Airman must also re-enroll in the formal BCIP if identified as failing after having subsequently met the standard.

The form used is the DAF Form 108, Department of the Air Force Fitness Education and Intervention Processing , until publication of the new DAF Form 113, Department of the Air Force Body Composition Assessment Scorecard and Intervention Worksheet .