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JTF Scott Airman scores 200 on PT test

  • Published
  • By Tech. Sgt. Chris Stagner
  • 375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  One Scott Air Force Base Airman took the PT program to an entirely new level recently when he scored a 200 on his PT test.

Maj. Chris Juarez, 375th Contracting Squadron commander, scored a 200 on his PT test recently and is the first person on Scott to have accomplished the feat.

"Wait. Someone scored a 200 on his PT test? How is that even possible?" It's possible because of the Extended PT program.

The major saw the Extended PT program as an opportunity to push himself harder when it came to the PT.

"I've been running for 27 years, and I do push ups and sit ups four times per week," said the major. "On the days I do push ups, I usually do 150 in one night in sets of 75. When I do my crunches, I usually do 400 to 450 in sets of 80."

The program was designed to motivate Airmen to do more than the bare minimums on the PT test.

"It's pretty easy for some Airmen to get a hundred points, so it removes the motivation to do 41 push ups if you can do 40 [and pass]," said Col. Bradley Spacy, 375th MSG commander. "We developed the program to entice those athletes who get 100s easily to go a little harder."

The major is one of those types of athletes.

"I'm a big believer in challenging yourself," the major said. "Scoring a 100 wasn't really a challenge due to the lifestyle I've lead. Scoring a 200 really pushed me to do more than I normally do. Plus, being the first to score 200 was a little bit extra motivation for me."

Colonel Spacy has ensured scoring a 100 or higher is personalized for every Airman.

"Right now if you score a 100 and above you get a T-shirt," he said. "Each shirt is personalized to the individual Airman with 'PT Excellence' across the shoulders and their scores beneath it."

The program, which started in fall of 2006, was originally developed as an MSG initiative, but it was quickly adopted throughout the base and outside its gates.

"This is all a part of building a culture of fitness," Col. Spacy said. "Several bases are currently implementing this program. I'd like to see it spread Air Force wide."

When the colonel implemented the program he expected to see someone score a 200, but he didn't expect it to be this soon. He doesn't expect it will be the last.

"Scoring a 200 is doable," he said. "I've scored a 165, and it was a who did it. If us old folks can do it, some of these kids can do it as well."

The major agreed with that sentiment.

"Scoring a 200 isn't an impossible feat," the major said. "It just requires a lifestyle change for some people. You have to really get out there and push yourself. You can't eat fast food and watch TV and expect to maximize your PT score. You've got to run, do push ups and sit ups and break a sweat while you're doing them."

So, has the extended PT program raised PT scores for the MSG?

"Scores have steadily come up," Colonel Spacy said. "But the Extended PT program is just a piece of it. The Air Force, at all levels, is doing a great job of building that culture of fitness."