90 in 90 program changes

Published July 8, 2014
By Senior Airman Jared Duhon
436th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

DOVER AIR FORCE BASE, Del. -- Physical training testing can be a stressful event for military members. Multiple failures can end otherwise promising careers. This process can be even more stressful for Airmen who have fallen out of shape due to injury, childbirth or their own lack of motivation.

Those Airmen may pass their tests by only a narrow margin, but they run the risk of failing if they suffer even a minor setback. The 90 in 90 program was established at Dover Air Force Base in 2012 by John Walters, 436th Aerospace Medicine Squadron fitness program manager, to help Airmen boost their testing scores and build their confidence in their physical conditioning.

"The Air Force had programs for people that were failing, but not a program for Airmen to get people to a 90," said Walters. "I developed the program to get people to a 90 and it was my whole theme."

The program ended July 1, but a tweaked version will return in September with a new name.

Over the years, Walters has helped more than 820 members, with 256 reaching a 90 and 162 of that number reaching a 90 for the first time in their Air Force career. Senior Airmen Marjorie Brooks, 436th Force Support Squadron force management journeyman, said she benefitted from the program.

"Recovering from a knee injury and giving birth to my daughter; I found myself in a downward spiral and out of shape," said Brooks. "The 90 in 90 program was brought to my attention and I pursued it. At first, the profile for on my knee made full participation difficult. I was in terrible shape for my first run after getting off the [physical restriction medical] waiver. But that short stint brought me to a passing score of 88 with a run I didn't think I had in me."

Walters said the program needed a fresh start.

"I am taking the program away because interest is fading," said Walters. "As a fitness manager it is understandable, because in the fitness industry any program you look at has changes. If the names stayed the same its gets stagnate. You have to always be changing and growing."

The 90 in 90 program may be altering its name but not its purpose, said Master Sgt. Joseph Therrien, 512th Maintenance Squadron interim quality assurance superintendent.

"The new program is going to bring up the intensity," said Therrien. "I am very curious how the new program is going to do. Walters is an excellent motivator and has helped so many people.."

Walters has an ability to develop strong programs to form more resilient Airmen and is able to give a little extra motivation to those who need a little extra confidence in themselves, said Brooks.

"This program made me feel empowered and better than I thought I could ever feel," said Brooks. "I'd never strived for a 90 before. But now, I won't accept less."