Continually failing RAF Fitness Test.

[R 21]

Wasn't there a largish chap thrown off the premier tiger sqn for failing his fitness test twice

Oh yes but he's still about. Had a spell working on his 'Officer Qualities' but is still in the mob.

[waddingtonpete]

We had a guy thrown out last year for failing his fitness test, or should I say his attitude to improving his fitness. He was admin discharged by the Stn Cmr, all Stn Cmr now have this cfourse of action

[Pops556]

I have a TMES at the mo but it doesn't stop me doing my job (and I've done time in the sandpit as well ). For me it was a question of trying to exercise within my own limitations/abilities and then push the boundaries a wee bit. I'm not a gym-monkey (hate the place) so I downloaded an mp3 version of the MSFT (or 'My S*dding Feet Throb'!) test from the ADF web site and I find a quiet patch off the bondhu which I've measured out and rack up there twice a week or more as the mood suits.

[Pontius Navigator]

Originally Posted by musclemech

In theory, if you have a good attitude to fitness, and exercise regularly it would be unlikely that you would fail the test, BUT the system does allow for discretion at the various points of the procedure. For instance, the Flt Cdr my see that Bloggs has improved his run score on his third failure, and even though it is still a fail may not take the appropriate third-fail action at that time, as he (Bloggs) would appear to be making an effort to pass the test (and therefore showing good attitude to it).

We spoke last year. My tub of lard is still a tube of lard, fortunately he is someone else's problem. Even making him the fitness officer failed as he found some excuse not to attend the fitness brief at our parent unit

As has been pointed out, there is some exercise that a lard arse with a poorly arm can do. I mean he hasn't been to see the doc in 2 years as I can recall. I bet he will try for a disability pension when he retires. Then he will find the lack of medical reports will weaken his case.

In my case I had medical reports going back 20 years and I had not set out to build a history. I got a lump sum in 2001 and now a pension in 2008 as my back has got worse - I can't break into a run or jog without some serious preparation first like a 5-10 minute warm up. Not talking about the intentin to run a mile but run across a road

[The Swinging Monkey]

Pontius,

you must have done some good to get him into a tube!!

TSM

[Mr-Burns]

I also think that females are, on average, 15% less intelligent than males.

What say all of you??

[Wader2]

So the "MR" is just a pseudonym?

[musclemech]

PN

We spoke last year. My tub of lard is still a tube of lard, fortunately he is someone else's problem.

I guess that our mutual contact wasn't any help then? That's a shame as I rather thought they would have been.

Your back sounds pretty bad. Did you go through the Headley Court route? Or have you tried other complementary therapies such as osteopathy or chiropractic?

Either way I hope you can get some improvement...

MM

[No idea]

Just checked - the current RAFFT is discriminatory - apparently the legal beagles told the Pedders this, citing the UK Police as an example, but it was taken on risk. They are still waiting the first legal challenge to it!!

[formertonkaplum]

Evidence

And if someone brings to a legal type discussion, evidence of being more than capable at their job, (in the form of a couple of annual reports), which recommend the said individual for promotion.......

How then can they point the finger of burden ?

Don't get me wrong, I don't want to eliminate the need for a level of fitness but increasing to the new levels, basically cause the Army have said so, ( and because those who like mirrors too much said so inorder to justify their jobs ), is just riddiculous.

[minigundiplomat]

As someone advancing in years these days, I think the new system is not too bad. I think the banding is a good idea, but should be more advisory with those in yellow/red advised to get a grip (for their own sake) and those in the blue attracting favourable comment in the all new 'physical stamina' box on the SJAR.

In summary, a better idea but a little too stringent rather than effective.



(And to all those people who ignored the 'don't go mad' on the maximal test last year, because the levels will go up next year...I told you so)

[posrep]

Being kicked out

Yes people are now being kicked out, regardless of there trade ability or even ability to deploy. Indeed many have tours and medals under there belts, if they cant meet the beep they are out.. the real issue is that the RAF has set two standards, one for females and another harder one for males.

This I think you will find is illegal under the law, any may leave those whoses names appear as action officers on dismissal forms as well as the MOD, at risk of court action and financial penalty. It will just take the first case to blow this thing wide open.

Of interest also is that some of the people shortly to be binned would meet the RN fitness level which is at the moment lower than the current RAF standard so maybe they should be offered the chance to re-muster.

[cornish-stormrider]

Mods please lock now - we don't need this sprouting AGAIN. eat less pies and do some running etc, it's too subjective, fatties v thinnies, so many jockstrappers off injured and the fatboys have to pick up the slack, fit for purpose etc etc different standards for male and female yet they both deploy etc etc.

Its the rules - however bad they are, they are the rules. Either live with it or leave.

(I think I have condensed 9 more weeks of comments down, lock lock)

[Jumping_Jack]

Indeed.....

[vecvechookattack]

Quite right....this thread is going nowhere. We would all agree that if you are in the Armed Forces then you should be fit enough to fight. The Fitness test is easy enough...if you can't run for a mile and a half in less than a few minutes you should be asked to return your ID card.

[5 Forward 6 Back]

It may be the rules, but rather than bend over and accept them, surely someone should contest them if they're illegal, as posrep mentions?

I'm all for an "accept the rules or leave" attitude, but not an "accept the rules which we've implemented hastily which are actually illegal or leave" one.

[vecvechookattack]

If the rules that you are concerned about are the Sexual equality regulations then the Armed Forces are exempt. Many other organisations, clubs, societies are also exempt. The Houses of Parliament for instance....and of Course Golf clubs and working mens clubs are exempt.

Thats why we can dictate what standards we expect from our men and our women...and those standards can be different.

[cornish-stormrider]

OOOOOHHHHHHH NNNNOOOOOOOO, the mods have let it too late, it's spluttering back into life

[serf]

2 fitness tests, 1 for females and a harder one for males.............I dont think so............it should be read-an easy fitness test and an easier one for females.

[Charlie Time]

If you can't pass what is, after all a very generous fitness test, then undertake the remedial until you can pass it or accept the consequences. Simple.