Performance reports, fitness assessments: Whose responsibility is it?

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Adawn Kelsey
  • 82nd Training Wing Public Affairs
SHEPPARD AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  Have you ever been in the situation where your Officer Performance Report or Enlisted Performance Report and fitness assessment were due at the same time? If this happens and an individual fails to complete the FA before their performance report close out date, he or she is subject to receive a referral EPR or OPR.

Senior Master Sgt. Robert Smith, 82nd Training Wing staff agency superintendent, said the best way to avoid the situation is to plan ahead.

"If you know your fitness assessment is due in May and your EPR is closing out June 1, give yourself ample time to complete it," he said. "If I know my fitness assessment and EPR are due in February I purposely test early to ensure I pass and bad weather doesn't lead to a referral EPR."

Master Sgt. Kevin Taylor, 82nd TRW unit fitness program manager, said requests to extend the close out date of an EPR or OPR due to weather may or may not be granted.

"A person who was unable to take a test because of weather must get a waiver from the Air Force Personnel Center," he said. "These waivers are accepted or denied based on each case. If a member is unable to complete any mandatory portion of their fitness program, such as the fitness intervention classes or their FA, the member must get a written waiver and approval from the unit commander."

Master Sgt. Micheal Mire, 82nd Training Wing unit fitness program manager, said if an individual is exempt from the same component of the FA in a one-year period or four components in 24 months, they will be put on the deployment availability working (DAWG) group list.

"The DAWG list are Airmen who will be considered for a medical board based on their condition and the reason they did not fully complete the fitness assessment," he said.

Sergeant Mire said if a member knows their test is coming up and they are on a profile, they should go to the Health and Wellness Center to start the process of getting their Air Force Form 422. The AF Form 422 provides documentation for the exemptions and recommendations for the individual.

"It can take up to five days to process and receive the AF Form 422," he said. "Do not wait until the last minute or you may not end up testing on time. The fitness assessment cell will not test a person on a profile without their 422."

Sergeant Mire said ultimately each individual is responsible for planning, completing and preparing for his or her fitness assessment and should be familiar with AFI 36-2905.

"Ultimately it is your responsibility, it's your career," he said. "The UFPMs are here to help you know when you are due to test, but it is your responsibility to schedule, be prepared and have all the necessary paper work before you become over due. Being familiar with this AFI will help reduce confusion and prevent misunderstandings of what is required."