Royal Australian Air Force. Unprofessional or realistic?

[Bucc Boy]

This is a slightly different perception to the levels of fitness we are ordered to achieve. Which when you consider that we could potentially be standing shoulder to shoulder with these guys in any war torn environment, how capable are they?

I shall print the fitness section of their recruit training document and leave a link to its source in case you don’t believe it.




"Physical Fitness Requirements
15. Service in the RAAF requires a higher level of fitness than every day to day life to carry out military tasks. Whilst on course all recruits will undergo physical fitness training under the guidance and control of 1RTU Physical Training Instructors. In addition to general conditioning classes, all recruits are required to participate in the following activities:

a. confidence course

b. Field Exercises

c. battle PT

d. swimming, (seasonal).

16. Possessing a high level of fitness upon arrival will aid recruits in all aspects of the course, and those who have prepared themselves will often find they have higher concentration levels, generally leading to better performance in physical and academic assessments. Being physically fit significantly reduces the risk of injury and improves their ability to handle all physical tasks.

17. Recruits will be required to perform the RAAF Initial Fitness Test (IFT) whilst at 1RTU. The IFT consists of a 2.4km run or 5km walk, unsupported sit ups or feet held sit ups, flex arm hang or push ups. Specialist mustering ( Airfield Defence Guards, ADG’s) will not be given the walk option whilst at 1RTU they must complete the 2.4km run. To minimise stress and injury, it is highly recommended that all recruits undertake a pre-enlistment fitness program before arriving at 1RTU. A program written by the 1RTU PTI’s can be found at the 1RTU website and also attached to this document. It is recommended recruits follow the program closely and practice all the components of the test as they are very specific exercises and some they may not be familiar with.

18. On arrival at 1RTU in week 0 recruits will be asked to complete a beep test, aiming to achieve at least level 6.5 as at recruiting.


The link

http://www.raaf.gov.au/1rtu/docs/1RTU JI's 01APR08.pdf

Personally speaking, if one of my techies can walk 5K in......well no, just walk 5K then that will do for me. Just so long as he isn't a hypochondriac and his back isn't made of glass, he can do OOA, Dets, guard and of course, his job.

So have they got it right or have we got it wrong. The difference between the 2 is so staggering maybe somewhere in the middle would have been a realistic level?

Comments?

Mods - If you don't think this consitutes 'new ground', then feel free to tag it onto the end of one of the many previous FT threads

 

[R_Squared]

Well, I imagine that those levels will remain until some Senior Rank with an Army inferiority complex starts up with this 'Warfighter' first rubbish.

 

[3wheeledtechie]

I think you have half the story. It appears to be the minimal level of fitness required on entry. Note the week 0 in a recruit training unit. Therefore that is not probably the level expected of trained airman in the RAAF.

 

[chiefy]

I think you have half the story. It appears to be the minimal level of fitness required on entry. Note the week 0 in a recruit training unit. Therefore that is not probably the level expected of trained airman in the RAAF.

I'd agree, having spent 8 weeks working with the RAAF in Malaysia I can honestly say that every member of their unit was a fitness fanatic, they even went out on weekly BFT runs to ensure they were adapting to the very hot and humid climate.

I can't see any times in the link? I'm assuming they are missing and make the distances more challenging. Having done my second to last fitness test in the RN under the physio for a back injury and being forced to do the Rockport Walk instead of my preferred 1.5 mile run I can honestly say I'd rather not do the walk again..... ever! It was absolute agony on the calfs and shins and the running machine is setup at a pre-determined pace to ensure you pass, and you aren't allowed to run...... no matter how short your legs DT_Xtremez_09:

 

[duffman]

The fitness test in week seven isn't as easy, it's not a million miles from ours.
Press ups 25
Sit ups 65
2.4 km run 12.00 mins.
The easier one seems to be a check to see if you had a chance of meeting the above test later in training. No time limits on the press ups and sit ups? Interesting little or no difference between men and women tests.

 

[Pikeman]

The Yanks have'nt got a bad idea, every thing is a percentage. So if you do the right amount of press ups for your age, call it 25. Thats a 60 % pass. Any extra increases you're percentage.

So if you get the min for all three you get a nice little 60% pass.

However when it comes to promotion, if you are compared to someone and job wise you are equal in every way. Your fitness pass is taken in to account.

I do realise this thread was about the Aussies test but thought it was resonably close to the idea to mention it.

 

[rest have risen above me]

The Yanks have'nt got a bad idea, every thing is a percentage. So if you do the right amount of press ups for your age, call it 25. Thats a 60 % pass. Any extra increases you're percentage.

So if you get the min for all three you get a nice little 60% pass.

However when it comes to promotion, if you are compared to someone and job wise you are equal in every way. Your fitness pass is taken in to account.

I do realise this thread was about the Aussies test but thought it was resonably close to the idea to mention it.

Thats quite an elitist system as that gives those with the Daley Thompson genes a big advantage. There's no way the left wing liberalists would allow that.

 

[Pikeman]

Thats quite an elitist system as that gives those with the Daley Thompson genes a big advantage. There's no way the left wing liberalists would allow that.

OK, but dont forget, it only gets taken in to account if you are litrally tied job wise. As long as you are better at your job than the other person then it would not be an issue.

At least it is a bit more of an incentive to put a bit of effort in.

 

[AirForce]

RAAF Tropical Working Dress

 

[Dan_Brown]

Keep up with the times Mods!! Are we changing over to AS2/1?