TOP STORY > >Black Knight Truth No. 5: Black Knight physical fitness

By Lt. Col. Jon Landis
19th Airlift Wing Director of Staff

- PT Generates Courage

- PT Generates Confidence

- PT Generates Air Power

- PT is My Responsibility

If you happened to check out the current Fitness Program AFI (36-2905), you may have noticed something new just after the Table of Contents … Commander’s Intent:

“It is every Airman’s responsibility to maintain the standards set forth in this AFI 365 days a year. Being physically fit allows you to properly support the Air Force mission. The goal of the Fitness Program is to motivate all members to participate in a year-round physical conditioning program that emphasizes total fitness, to include proper aerobic conditioning, strength/flexibility training, and healthy eating. Health benefits from an active lifestyle will increase productivity, optimize health, and decrease absenteeism while maintaining a higher level of readiness…” (General Norton Schwartz, CSAF)

You may be wondering, “How does physical training generate confidence and courage?” I can think of many examples but the one that stands out is that of Capt Lance P. Sijan, Medal of Honor recipient, and one of my personal heroes. If you haven’t read the book Into the Mouth of the Cat by Malcom McConnell, make it a priority. It is well worth your time.

Sijan was an athlete, most notablya football player in high school and college. He also enjoyed swimming, baseball and various other physical activities. While deployed to Vietnam, he employed a rigorous regimen of strength training. He was keenly aware that he might have to depend upon his physical fitness to survive. When his aircraft went down over enemy territory, Lance P. Sijan was prepared for an ordeal that would go down as one of the most heroic accounts in Air Force history.

Despite numerous injuries sustained during bailout (a compound fracture to his leg, fractured skull and mangled hand), Sijan spent 45 days post-crash in the jungle surviving and evading. No doubt, his unshakable character and physical training enabled such a remarkable feat. He was initially captured when an enemy convoy discovered him lying unconscious near their route of travel. After receiving some food, water and rest, Capt Sijan overpowered his guard and escaped, only to be captured again hours later. He was transported to two prison camps where he was tortured, starved and his injuries were neglected. During this time, he continued his efforts to escape and never once gave sensitive information to his captors or broke faith with his fellow Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen.

So how does PT generate Air Power? Simply stated, it enables you to do your job, and do it better! It’s a scientific fact that fit individuals are better prepared to be productive in accomplishing daily tasks. Whether you maintain, sustain, support, operate or provide care, Black Knights are Combat Airlift. When you show up to work trained and physically fit, you generate Air Power.

Finally, each of us must take personal responsibility for our fitness. The long and short-term benefits are indisputable (increased energy, more alert, improved memory, combats stress and depression, improves sleep, extends life expectancy), but that isn’t my focus. It’s important for all of us to understand that it’s not just required by AFI, but it’s essential. It’s an integral part of what we do every day. It makes us better than our adversary and ensures we are able to answer the call, no matter when or how great the challenge. Lance Sijan did that. So instead of “adhering” or “incorporating” it, we need to own it. See you at the gym.