The United States Air Force is unveiling changes to its Physical Fitness Assessment and a new fitness program for its Total Force Airmen.
The program includes scored assessments in cardiovascular, strength, endurance and waist-to height ratio. While strength and endurance tests have alternate exercises, Airmen will be required to do the two-mile run for the cardiovascular test at least once a year.
The new standards will go into effect on March 1, 2026, according to the Air Force website.
Air Force service members will be required to take the assessment every six months, regardless of their scores.
Each category is weighted differently, with different scores awarded depending on the participants measurements.
Due to the shift in PFA programming, PFA testing will be temporarily suspended from January 1, 2026 to March 1, 2026, according to the Air Force website.
The standards will go into effect on March 1, 2026. From March 1 to August 31, 2026, the Air Force will run a diagnostic testing period.
On September 1, 2026, the official scored testing resume and official PFA testing under the new standard begins.
The Air Force also released “The Warfighter’s Fitness Playbook,” which it described as “an adaptive and agile resource for Airmen and Guardians for implementing fitness and lifestyle management programs to include sleep and nutritional tips, and exercise and fitness guidance.”
“These fitness changes are about having a healthy, ready force prepared to meet today’s mission and the demands of the future fight,” said U.S. Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. David Allvin. “The updated model reflects our high standards for fitness and ensures our Airmen have the tools they need to protect their long-term health.”
The program applies to active duty Air force members as well as those in the Air Force National Guard.
The release by the Secretary of the Air Force Public Affairs said that the new program is meant to reflect the values of the “Culture of Fitness” initiative by the Department of the Air Force.
Air Force bases in the region include Washington Air Force bases Fairchild and Joint Base Lewis-McChord as well as Montana Air Force base Malmstrom.
