PT competition brings Airmen’s abilities front and center

Photo By Airman Collin Schmidt | From left to right, Master Sgt. Paul Watts, 341st Munitions Squadron munitions accountable systems supervisor, Dr. Elin Pierce, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron fish and wildlife biologist, and Master Sgt. Robert Taylor, 341st CES first sergeant, pose for a photograph after the Malmstrom Air Force Base physical training competition Oct. 27, 2015. Pierce took first place in the competition. (U.S. Air Force photo/Airman Collin Schmidt)  

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, MT, UNITED STATES

10.28.2015

Story by Airman 1st Class Collin Schmidt 

341st Missile Wing

MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. - Team Malmstrom members had the opportunity to participate in a physical training competition hosted by the Malmstrom Air Force Base Fitness Center Oct. 27, 2015. During the competition, participants strived to meet and exceed maximum fitness standards in order to take first place and claim the title of PT champion.

The event was open to both military and civilian members and consisted of pushups, situps and a mile and a half run. Competitors were scored based on their final numbers in each of the categories. Performance techniques and the scoring system were based on exact guidance contained in the Air Force fitness instruction.

Coming in first place was Dr. Elin Pierce, 341st Civil Engineer Squadron fish and wildlife biologist.

“This run was for my father,” said Pierce. “My dad kept in shape until he was 83 years old and was very active throughout his entire life. For me, this is a comeback. After his passing, I was very inactive for about two years and recently I have been getting back into shape and pursuing my fitness goals."

“I also participated in this event to show people that as you get older you can be just as fit as your younger self,” she continued. “I remember back when I was 20 thinking that after 45 you had to break out the crutches. That is not the case and I would like to show people of all ages that you can stay fit as you get older.”

Competitors were awarded points for going above and beyond the standard required for them to achieve a maximum score in each of the three PT performance assessment categories for their age and gender.

For example, if a competitor needed 60 pushups in order to achieve a maximum score on his or her PT assessment, then for every additional pushup above that maximum the individual received one more point.

The same applied to both the situp and run categories. For the run, the competitors received one point for every second he or she ran faster than the time required to receive maximum points on a PT assessment.

“It was a privilege to watch these Airmen compete,” said Pierce. “These are people who want to go a step further and want to excel in what they do.

“My favorite part of the event was the situps,” she continued. “The hardest part had to be the run. For a lot of people the run is a little harder because your legs are already starting to burn from pushups and situps and the dry air makes you work to push through it. All in all though, it was a very good competition.”

In the future, PT championships will occur periodically every four to six months and a ledger will be maintained by a designated representative that will list the wing PT champions by date and score.

Upcoming competitions will be held for base personnel to participate in with the goal to create something that people can enjoy while improving their fitness performance.

“This is a great idea,” said Pierce. “It has motivated me and others to strive towards our goals. Next time though, I would like to see some more leadership out there, trying to keep up with us.”

For more information on upcoming events, contact the Malmstrom Fitness Center at 406-731-3621.

• Date Taken: 10.28.2015
• Date Posted: 10.28.2015 18:46
• Story ID: 180239
• Location: MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, MT, US
• Hometown: GREAT FALLS, MT, US