The Air Force ROTC Scholarship program for high school students is a great chance to pay for college so you can get the most out of your college experience.
Air Force ROTC uses the Physical Fitness Assessment
Physical Fitness AssessmentPFA - an exam consisting of three events—crunches, push-ups, and a 1.5-mile run-- used to determine physical fitness level as part of the application process for the college scholarship program. (PFAPFAPhysical Fitness Assessment ) as an indicator of your physical fitness. You must complete the PFA before you can be eligible for the Air Force ROTC Scholarship. The PFA consists of three events: push-ups, crunches and the 1.5-mile run. The PFA events are the same for both males and females. There is a maximum of five minutes rest between events. All events must be tested on the same day.
Scheduling
You should coordinate the PFA with a high school official who will administer the test and certify your results. The test administrator can be any faculty or administrative official in your high school (e.g., teacher, counselor, athletic coach, principal, etc.). You should discuss the PFA with your test administrator so you both understand the requirements of the PFA, how it is conducted and how to complete the letter of certification.
The Letter of Certification
Prior to attempting the PFA, you and your parent or legal guardian (if you are under the age of 18) should complete Parts 1 and 2 of the letter of certification. After completing the PFA, your test administrator completes Part 3. Mail the Letter of Certification » to:
HQ Air Force ROTC/RRUC
551 E. Maxwell Blvd.
Maxwell AFB, AL 36112-5917
Remember: You must have it postmarked to Air Force ROTC by January 9, 2010.
Exemptions
Air Force ROTC will accept only one type of exemption for the PFA: a documented physical injury (e.g., a broken arm, leg, etc.) that would preclude you from completing the PFA. If you have a physical injury and cannot complete the PFA, you must send written notification to Headquarters Air Force ROTC/RRUC at the address listed above. You must include a letter from your physician describing the nature of the injury and stating that you cannot complete the PFA by January 9, 2010. Failure to provide such notification by January 9, 2010 will make you ineligible for further scholarship consideration.
Candidates to Military Service Academies
The PFA required to compete for an Air Force ROTC scholarship is different than the Physical Aptitude Exam (PAE) required of candidates to all military service academies.
Qualifying Scores
There are no minimum requirements for the PFA. However, your performance will be considered by the scholarship selection board as one factor in their “whole person” evaluation of your application.
Tips for preparing for the PFA
- Make sure you and your high school official understand the PFA requirements.
- Make sure you both understand each event and the proper techniques.
- Select a facility and arrange a mutually convenient time to conduct the PFA.
- Make sure you have a reliable timer or stopwatch to record the time for each event and time between each event.
- Do not get too nervous; remember, there are no minimum standards so you cannot fail.
PFA Event Sequence
You will complete the PFA in the following order: push-ups, crunches and a 1.5-mile run. The rules for each event are included below:
Push-Ups
Your hands will be placed on the floor, slightly wider than shoulder width apart, with your fingers pointing forward. You must lower your upper body until your upper arm is at least parallel to the floor (elbows bent at 90 degrees) before pushing back up to the starting position. If you do not come down that far, the push-up will not count. Start in the up position with your elbows fully extended, feet no more than 12 inches apart and your weight supported by your arms and toes. You must keep your back straight at all times and lower your upper body until your upper arm is at least parallel to the floor then return to the up position (arms fully extended). This is one repetition. Keep your hands and feet on the floor if you need to rest. Any resting must be done in the up position. You have one minute to perform as many push-ups as you are able. The correct number of push-ups will be counted out loud. Incorrect push-ups will not be counted, and the number of the last correct push-up will be repeated. You will be told what you are doing wrong until you correct the error. The total number of correct push-ups in one minute is recorded as your score.
Crunches
Lie on your back with your heels flat on the floor, knees bent at 90° angles and your arms crossed in front of the chest such that your hands/fingers remain in contact with your shoulders or chest. If a toe hold bar is used: Anchor your feet to the ground by hooking your feet/toes under the bar. Your heels may not rise off the ground while you perform the assessment. If a toe hold bar is NOT used: Your feet will be held down with your monitor’s hands. Your legs cannot be held behind your calves. Let your monitor know if you need your feet held differently prior to beginning the assessment (e.g., You are holding my ankles/feet too tight or not enough). Your hips must remain on the floor at all times (do not lift your hips off the floor to gain momentum). Your shoulder blades must touch the floor between each repetition. In the up position, you will touch your elbows to your knees or upper thigh and then return down until your shoulder blades touch the floor (your hands may not lose contact with your shoulders/chest at any time). This will count as one crunch. You have one minute to perform as many correct crunches as possible. Any resting must be done in the UP position. The correct number of crunches will be counted out loud. Incorrect crunches will not be counted, and the number of the last correct crunch will be repeated, and you will be told what you are doing wrong until you correct the error. Your score will be the total number of correct crunches completed in one minute.
1.5-Mile Run
You will be directed to line up behind the starting line and instructed to begin running as the monitor starts the stopwatch. No physical assistance from anyone or anything is permitted, however pacing is permitted if there is no physical contact and is not a hindrance to other runners. You are required to stay on the course and complete the entire marked course. Leaving the course is disqualifying. If at any time you are feeling of poor health, you are to stop running immediately, and you will be given assistance. Your completion time will be recorded when you cross the finish line. At completion of the timed run, you must complete a cool down for approximately five minutes.
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