55th CONS wins inaugural fitness award

  • Published
  • By David R. Hopper
  • 55th Wing Public Affairs
OFFUTT AIR FORCE BASE, Neb. --  The 55th Contracting Squadron set the standard for fitness by earning the inaugural 55th Wing Most Fit Squadron of the Year Award.

This new award recognizes the squadron with the best physical fitness record for an entire year.

With a 100 percent pass rate, 77 percent excellent and 10 percent receiving a perfect 100, 55th CONS has provided a benchmark for other squadrons in the Fightin' Fifty-Fifth.

"I attribute the squadron's success to excellent Physical Training Leaders who organize and execute consistent squadron work out sessions," said Lt. Col. Trent Tuthill, 55th CONS commander.

The award was presented to 55th CONS by Lt. Gen. Robin Rand, 12th Air Force commander, during his recent visit to Offutt. Rand is a strong proponent of fitness and how it affects the mission.

"You know who suffers when unfit Airmen can't do their job," Rand asked. "It's the Soldier, Marine, Sailor and Airman on the ground [in combat] that was counting on that Airman to do their job," Rand said."

"When it comes to being fit and having your eye on the top, there is no secret," said Tech. Sgt. Alexander Larsen, member of 55 CONS who earned a 100 percent on his PT score. "It is all about hard work, dedication and will power to push yourself to meet your goal."

Staff Sgt. Scott Deloera, 55 CONS, also received a perfect score and had this to say about the secret to getting that perfect PT score.

"My secret to getting a perfect score is to map out the time intervals that I need to run, and train at that pace," Deloera said. "After running at the desired pace for a couple of weeks, my body acclimates to running faster than normal. When testing time comes around, not only do I know the correct pace to run at, but my body is already used to it."

From the time children are in grade school they are being taught about nutrition and exercise but there is one factor they don't teach and that is motivation and inspiration.

"My father inspires me to get a perfect score," Deloera said. "He served in the Army for 22 years and always maxed out his PT score."

"When I first joined the AF 8.5 years ago it was all about wanting to get the perfect score," Larsen said. "Now that I have been in a while, I continue to score a 100 so I can push my people harder to improve their scores. I wouldn't be able to ask my troops and fellow Airmen to push themselves if my score was lacking."

Larsen went on to say that it is great having a commander like Lt. Col. Tuthill who continuously pushes himself to set the example by earning a perfect score on his PT test.

One of the common reasons people don't work out is monotony, so perhaps there is a secret to staying fit to fight.

Deloera had this to say about fitness success.

I think [our success] is a testament to the excellent job our PTLs do to mix up PT sessions and avoid losing interest.

Tuthill, Larsen and Deloera all agree on a few points. Make fitness a daily routine, change it up and don't let your workouts become boring and last but not least push yourself to reach your goals.