Physical fitness is integral to Airman readiness

By Rhonda Griffin
Staff writer

A huge part of military life is physical fitness. Regardless of an Airman’s day-to-day responsibilities, whether at home or downrange, the mind and body must be ready for whatever may come. Every Airman must be “fit to fight.”

Being fit to fight doesn’t mean taking part in a few extra workouts before a PT test to ensure a passing score. Physical fitness comes from taking on a routine of healthy lifestyles that will last a lifetime. Since the Air Force covers a wide range of duties, servicemembers must be at their top fitness levels to be ready to take on any task at hand.

 

U.S. Air Force Photo by Rhonda Griffin

Senior Airman Mark Nasirali, 43rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, and his wife, Wanita, work out together in the Pope Fitness Center weight room Feb. 12.

Members of the Pope community who frequent the fitness center likely recognize Tech. Sgt. Terrence Bessellieu, 43rd Force Support Squadron, who spends his days in the gym helping others to reach their full potential.

“'Fit to Fight’ is an Air Force initiative designed to keep all active duty members ready to deploy,” said Sergeant Bessellieu. “All bases have the PT program, and if a servicemember fails four times within two years, he becomes a civilian.”

When Airmen receive a failing score on a PT test, they are required to participate in a healthy living workshop sponsored by the Health and Wellness Center, Sergeant Bessellieu said. The class provides an overview of healthy eating and being more active to help get them back on track. Also, they must take part in PT five days a week instead of the regularly required three days of squadron PT, he added.

The Fitness Center offers assessments of fitness and body composition to check current levels and to determine areas that need improvement. Also, as a part of the Fitness Improvement Program, classes are offered with the help of instructors for those who are enrolled in the program to improve PT scores, Sergeant Bessellieu. Classes are available every day, with FIP participants having priority for placement in the classes.

Senior Airman Mark Nasirali, 43rd Logistics Readiness Squadron, knows the importance of being “fit to fight,” and works out regularly to keep himself in shape. “You have to balance your time and stay in focus,” Airman Nasirali said.

“You have to take your job seriously, exercise to stay physically and mentally fit and make time to spend with your spouse or significant other. You have to stay well rounded.”

On top of giving his all as a fuels distribution operator, Airman Nasirali enjoys hitting the fitness center where he has a routine to make the most of his workouts. And to make the most of his time off, his wife, Wanita, joins him at the gym.

“I come with him most days,” Mrs. Nasirali said as she took a break from her workout in the weight room Feb. 12. “His schedule provides for us to be able to do that, so we try to take advantage of it.”

“Since the Air Force provides these facilities free of charge, why go anywhere else?” Airman Nasirali said as he looked around the Pope Fitness Center. “Everything we need is right here and we don’t have that expense of joining a gym. The only downside is the hours of operation, which makes it hard on some of us to get here with the way our schedules work.”

Trying not to stray from what is expected of Airmen by the Air Force, Airman Nasirali uses his time at the fitness center to focus on one area each day. One day is used for his chest and triceps, he said. Another is used for the legs and lower back and a third day focuses on biceps, shoulders and upper back, he said. Along with his regular workouts, he also tries to get in about two miles of running, he added.

“'Three times a week is fine to maintain,” the Airman said, “but to see serious results, you have to get in here four or five times a week.”

Working out and staying fit make him feel better both mentally and physically, he said.

“I’m thinking about cross training into another field,” Airman Nasirali said. “I know I’m capable of more and I don’t want to sell myself short. In order to do that, I have to be ready.”

The Nasiralis said when they experience time away from the fitness center and their regular workouts, they can really tell a difference in the way they feel.

“We just got back in here,” Mrs. Nasirali said. “He’s been gone to Airman Leadership School for more than five weeks and we just haven’t been able to come in like we’re used to. We were excited to be back.”

By working to stay in top form and well rounded in the ways of living, Airmen will never fail to live up to the mission to “fly, fight and win.”