Physical Fitness Assessment

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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 Assessmentarrow-glossaryPhysical 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. (PFAarrow-glossaryPFAPhysical 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.

Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA)

Print a copy of the Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) worksheet. Take the worksheet with you when you complete your fitness assessment. Have the examiner fill in all of the information on the form and make sure he/she signs and dates the form.

After you have completed the PFA, use the worksheet (filled out by your examiner) to enter your results electronically in the fields provided. You will also need to scan/upload the completed and signed PFA form. Faxed copies WILL NOT be accepted.

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 upload a doctor's note in place of the PFA form. The doctor's note should describe the nature of the injury and state that you cannot complete the PFA.

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.
  • 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.
  • Do not get too nervous; remember, there are no minimum standards, so you cannot fail.

NOTE: We will not accept any PFA scores/tests from any other branch of service to include the United States Air Force Academy (USAFAarrow-glossaryUSAFAUnited States Air Force Academy ). Also, if you live in an area where the weather is bad in the winter, please do not wait until the deadline is approaching to take the test. There will be no exceptions on extending the deadline due to the weather.