Comprehensive Airman Fitness: McConnell Airmen commit to fight for fitness

Published Jan. 5, 2011
By Airman 1st Class Armando A. Schwier-Morales
22nd Air Refueling Wing Public Affairs

MCCONNELL AIR FORCE BASE, Kan. -- The time has arrived for Team McConnell members to fulfill their New Year's resolutions -- but setting the goal was just the first step.

Though New Year's resolutions can vary from improving health to organizing the house, some Airmen have set goals to improve their fitness and their lifestyle.

"The hardest part of any type of New Year's resolution is following through," said Lou Stadler, 22nd Aerospace Medical Squadron health promotion flight chief. "You have to have some willpower, some knowledge about your goal and be dedicated."

Airmen do not have to fight this battle alone, as McConnell's Health and Wellness Center nutrition and fitness experts provide a variety of programs and information to Airmen and their families.

"The HAWC has great resources for individuals looking to make lifestyle changes," said Mr. Stadler. "In each one of the programs we try to incorporate fitness, nutrition and behavioral modification. When we can get all these things together it makes it a lot easier for individuals to accomplish healthy lifestyle goals."

These programs include cholesterol evaluation, body composition improvement and many more opportunities. One of the HAWC's other successful programs included the Holiday Fitness challenge, which challenged 25 Airmen to maintain their weight during the holidays, that concluded Jan. 7, 2010. All the programs are available to Team McConnell members to help with their New Year's resolutions.

"My husband and I want to improve our fitness by spending time together at the gym and following along with workout videos," said Christine Smith, Debs Café barista.

Quality time is only one reason to keep the commitment; another motivation is the Air Force emphasis on a healthier lifestyle.

"My objective is to get down to 10 minutes and 30 seconds on my mile and a half run time," said Staff Sgt. Kevin Franklin, 22nd Force Support Squadron First Terms Airman's Center team leader. "I want to do it because the physical training standards are stricter and it's a serious issue."

Whatever the commitment may be, or the reason behind it, the HAWC recommends using the "smart" model (specific, measurable, achievable, realistic, and timely goals,) along with slow and steady steps to help complete the resolution.

"Having small and realistic goals is probably the most important part of [resolutions], then having proper progression in those goals," said Mr. Stadler.

In Air Mobility Command, Comprehensive Airman Fitness, or CAF, is a culture that includes four pillars of fitness -- physical, social, mental and spiritual, command officials said. There are also five "Cs" of CAF -- caring, committing, communicating, connecting and celebrating.

Started in July 2010, Gen. Raymond E. Johns Jr., AMC Commander, said CAF "reflects our commitment to developing a holistic approach to caring for our people that equips, enables and empowers everyone to grow more physically, socially, mentally and spiritually fit. It's not another program, but rather, a means to enhance mission effectiveness by intentionally investing in one another."

Across AMC, many bases are taking a "forward-leaning" approach to CAF -- including McConnell AFB. McConnell is one of several AMC bases that has developed ways for their community to communicate on issues related to CAF. In late 2010, they put forth initiatives that included an Internet blog and related social media outlets.

"The CAF initiative is very important to this command and to the Air Force," said Lt. Gen. Rusty Findley, AMC Vice Commander in addressing a command-wide meeting on CAF in 2010. "We need to continue to work hard at this...and let people know there are opportunities out there for them and their families."

(Master Sgt. Scott T. Sturkol, Air Mobility Command Public Affairs, contributed to this story.)