The United States Air Force believes that the current fitness test has placed a demand on airman to stay fit year round. The semi-annual test results are showing there is a positive trend in fitness scores among all ranks and ages, and Air Force leadership is claiming these results as a success. The 2011 pass rate of 91 percent was impressive; however, this thesis will examine the numbers and reveal that although the pass rate is significantly high, the desired goal of airman maintaining fitness year-round has not met with the same success. To achieve this goal the Air Force must establish a program that focuses on four factors: testing, educating, training, and assessment. These four factors will guide airman to becoming more physically fit, and not just prepare them to pass the fitness test. This thesis will review literature that connects a person's level of fitness to their job performance. With a direct connection to job performance, a member's fitness level has a direct impact on mission accomplishment. Therefore, an airman's fitness level has an impact on the how the Air Force mission is accomplished. If fitness is vital to the mission, then it is a part of the mission. Fitness must become a part of the Air Force, and not used as a tool to keep airman on the edge of fitness.

Approved for public release; distribution is unlimited. The opinions and conclusions expressed herein are those of the student-authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the U.S. Army Command and General Staff College or any other governmental agency. (References to these studies should include the foregoing statement.)