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VOL. 47 NO.24 JUNE 15, 2007 55 NCOs make the Firefighters grade impressive By Academy Spirit staff Fifty-five Academy non-commis- in season sioned officers will be adding another stripe to their chevrons in the near future, thanks to the 07E7 and 07E6 opener promotion cycle test results. Academy-wide there were 91 eligible for E-7. Twenty-seven were selected for a selection rate of 29.67 percent. Meanwhile, 156 were eligible for E-6. Twenty-eight were selected for a selection rate of 17.95 percent. The Master Sgt. selects are: John Agnew III, DF Judith Allison, 10 MDOS Joshua Anderson, 10 CS Russell Angelo, 10 MDOS Photos by John Van Winkle Scott Boyle, CW Academy firefighter Mr. Patrick Kraft shows off his hose technique during the Gregory Buckley-Lowe, CW 2006 Firefighter Combat Challenge regional competition at Westminster, Colo. Delia Cisneros, DRU-Staff (CC) Prior to turning the hose on to hit a volleyball-size target, he ran 140 feet then James Dixon, ** 306 FTG dragged the hose 75 feet. It’s one of five events each participating team per- Timothy Frison, 10 MDSS forms at the regional, national and world competition levels. “Team USAFA” Justus Hanks, ** 98 FTS started its 2007 campaign impressively in Carlsbad, N.M., earlier this month. Teresa Hatch, CW David Hensley, CW By John Van Winkle In order, the Firefighter Combat Robert Hill, * CW Academy Public Affairs Challenge has firefighters: Frederick Hobson, 10 MDOS • Climb a five story tower carrying a Jennifer Kirk, 10 MDSS Academy firefighters claimed a first, 42-pound fire hose, Donald Ledbetter, CW second and third place finish June 2 in their • Hoist a rope weighted by a 42-pound Dawn Lewis, * DRU-Staff (DP) first showing of the 2007 Firefighter fire hose up five stories, while leaning over Eric Mattison, * DRU-Staff (CP) Combat Challenge season at Carlsbad, the top of the tower, Angelique McDonald, USAFA PA N.M. • Hit a 160-pound steel “Kaiser” beam Ernest Medina, CW It was the season’s second regional with a mallet, to move the beam five feet Lorianne Newmes, 10 MDOS competition. horizontally, Robert Pemberton, CW The Firefighter Combat Challenge • Run 140 feet, then drag a fire hose Brent Petersen, * 10 CS puts firefighters through a timed course 75 feet and hit a volleyball-sized target Kevin Salvione, 10 SFS of five back-to-backbreaking tasks, testing with water, and Irwin Sealy, 10 SFS their basic job skills, technique and • Drag a life-sized, 175-pound dummy Daniel Spain, CW stamina. 100 feet while walking backward, across “Every part is designed to be a task the finish line. * Selects inbound to the Academy are not included Academy Firefighter Combat Chal- in Academy statistics. you would accomplish on a fire ground. Competitors wear 60 pounds of fire- lenge Team alternate Senior Airman ** Selects assigned to the Air Education and It simulates a working fire to a ‘T,’” said fighting gear while running the course. Training Command are not included in Academy Horace Conney wields a mallet to statistics. Academy Firefighter Combat Challenge Firefighter teams must have three of move a 160-pound steel beam hori- See SELECTS, Page 4 team captain Roy Dalton. See FIREFIGHTERS, Page 4 zontally. I N News Feature Sports S Glider team Wedding Falcon hall’s I soars faux pas first class D Page 8 Page 14 Page 16 E Academy Spirit 2 COMMENTARY June 15, 2007 Fit to fight is an evolving process By Master Sgt. Thomas McGowan etry or “bike test.” At first, the test 17th Airlift Squadron first sergeant only measured your VO2 max (how well you use oxygen). Push ups or CHARLESTON AIR FORCE crunches were not incorporated until BASE, S.C. (AFPN) — Are you about seven years into the test. physically ready to meet the chal- Because this test did not accurately lenges of the Air Force? reflect one’s fitness level, the Air For some this is a very easy Force decided to make a drastic question to answer. For others it is change. not. The bike method of fitness evalu- We are now in the third year of ation was deemed obsolete. Higher the new fitness standards. When this operations tempo as a result of the program was introduced, I was not war on terrorism led to the new ready. Thankfully, we had a one-year fitness test requirements. The Air grace period to get ready. The Air Force needed a mobile method of Force chief of staff directed new evaluating fitness levels to produce standards and gave all Airmen time battle ready Airmen. And this new to get in shape for their first official process had to be available at physical fitness test. deployed locations. Since no equip- Even with a year to prepare, I ment was required, we reverted back only scored a 76 on my first test. I to a 1.5 mile run. However, this time realized this was unacceptable, and I we added push-ups, crunches and a challenged myself to do something waist measurement. about it. I made a significant lifestyle Simply walking the 1.5 miles was change and as a result, my most not going to cut it anymore. In addi- recent test resulted in a score of 95. tion, you needed to ensure your core If I can do it, you can too. strength was effectively conditioned Looking back, I realized I had to as well. With a year to prepare, most survive several variations of fitness Airmen took the challenge to heart testing. and prepared themselves. As noted When I first entered active duty during the first “free-bee” test, some in 1991, the Air Force PT test was a preparation for the test was required. Illustration by Staff Sgt. Tim Jenkins 1.5 mile run we reluctantly did once To emphasize the importance of my opinion, this doesn’t always mean favorite snacks; just learn to have a year. The time to complete the run fitness, new guidance mandated just playing basketball. them in moderation. was some crazy amount of time like commanders establish a unit PT Second, we must train for the As a result of our emphasis on 15 minutes. Most Airmen could have program. A side benefit of this test. Practice makes perfect. I feel an fitness, I feel the Air Force is in the walked and still passed the test. It program included giving all assigned effective cardiovascular and core best shape we have ever been. We are gave us no accurate measurement of Airmen duty time to conduct PT. fitness workout produces the best ready to meet every challenge our our Airmen’s fitness level. We also With the PT program fully inte- results. high operations tempo can produce. had a high rate of heart attacks and grated into Air Force culture, we now Finally, a well-balanced diet is And as I have personally learned, we other serious medical issues. must challenge ourselves to maintain essential and effective. Fad diets are much better equipped to conduct The Air Force decided to change an exceptionally fit level. generally only give you quick, short- joint operations with our sister serv- the way we evaluated fitness. The First, take advantage of the time term results. As I have found, there is ices. Capitalize on the fitness oppor- change was to go to a cycle ergom- your commander gives you for PT. In no need to deny yourself your tunities you have and stay fit to fight. e The Action Line is a direct link to USAFA's senior leadership. It Lin should be used when other avenues have failed. Concerns should be on addressed at the lowest possible level in the chain of command and cti s! elevated as necessary. If satisfactory results have not been attained by e A sue addressing the chain of command, call the Action Line at 333-3900 ll th is or fax 333-4094 or mail to: Ca olve res 00 Directorate of Public Affairs/ACTION LINE to -39 2304 Cadet Drive, Suite 3100 333 USAF Academy, CO 80840-5016 Items may also be e-mailed to [email protected]. Directorate of Public Affairs mission: The Academy Spirit is published by of the products or services advertised. Submissions To responsibly inform and educate the Colorado Springs Military Newspaper Group, a Everything advertised in this publication shall Academy community and the public about the private firm in no way connected with the U.S. be made available for purchase, use or patron- Send submissions to: HQ USAFA/PAI, 2304 Cadet Air Force, under exclusive written contract with age without regard to race, color, religion, sex, Air Force Academy Drive, Suite 3100, U.S. Air Force Academy, CO 80840- the U.S. Air Force Academy. This civilian enter- national origin, age, marital status, physical 5016 or deliver to Suite 3100 in Harmon Hall. Lt. Gen. John Regni — Academy Superintendent prise Air Force newspaper is an authorized pub- handicap, political affiliation or any other non- Deadline for free classified ads on a space-avail- Maj. Brett Ashworth — Director of Public Affairs lication for members of the U.S. military serv- merit factor of the purchaser, user or patron. able basis is 12 noon every Tuesday for that week’s Tech. Sgt. Roel Utley — NCOIC, Internal Information ices. Contents of the Academy Spirit are not The printer reserves the right to reject publication date. Paid classified advertising is accept- Wayne Amann — Editor necessarily the official views of, or endorsed by, any advertisements. ed by the publisher at 329-5236.

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