OTS prospect touts the importance of fitness

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Nick Wilson
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  President John F. Kennedy once said, "Physical fitness is not only one of the most important keys to a healthy body, it is the basis of dynamic and creative intellectual activity."

This quote holds especially true for Gerard Cawelti, a 22-year-old graduate of the University of Central Missouri who hopes to earn a commission as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. His ultimate goal is to become a remotely piloted aircraft operator.

Throughout his childhood as a 'military brat,' Cawelti has always been physically active and involved with different sports. Since the Air Force requires its members to also be active and physically fit, Cawelti thought it would be a good idea to join the Air Force.

"Fitness is a part of my lifestyle," Cawelti said. "In order to be a well-rounded individual, you have to focus not only on academics, work, interpersonal relationships and things of that nature, but you also have to focus on yourself and making sure you can live a long and successful life. Being physically fit will help in all aspects of life because everything encompasses fitness."

At Officer Training School, fitness is one component that will decide whether officer candidates survive the course or are asked to pack their bags, said 1st Lt. Kevin Knutson, 509th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle management flight commander.

"When my OTS class graduated, 96 percent of us graduated with a 90 or better on our physical training test," Knutson said. "When candidates first show up at OTS, the one factor they have control over is their fitness level. That is also the one thing they'll be immediately dismissed for if it doesn't meet the standards."

Knutson was commissioned into the Air Force through the same process Cawelti will go through.

"The way the OTS leadership team sees it, if you aren't physically fit you aren't mentally fit and you're in no good position to make decisions on the behalf of other people," Knutson said.

Since physical fitness is tied very closely to mental fitness and overall health, being in solid shape is key to being a leader and making good decisions, Knutson said.

For Cawelti, the benefits of physical fitness are self-evident.

"Having a physically fit body can help the brain retain a lot of information," Cawelti said. "It also gives you a break from all the stress of home, work and school."

Along with easing stress, fitness also can help an individual increase his or her self-confidence, Cawelti said.

"Fitness is important because you can exert all of your self-assurance, and it makes you feel like you are ready to take on the world," Cawelti said.

This boost in self-reliance that fitness can provide also helps Cawelti set goals for himself both in and out of the gym, he said.

One of Cawelti's goals is to travel around the world performing various missions for the Air Force.

"As a child, my father served in the Air Force and was able to get assigned overseas with my family," Cawelti said. "That sparked my interest in the Air Force."

Born at the now-closed Clark Air Base in the Philippines, Cawelti grew accustomed to traveling around the world. He has also lived at Kadena Air Base, Japan, and Ramstein Air Base, Germany.

"My family did a lot of traveling while stationed in Japan and Germany," Cawelti said. "It was a really cool experience overall."

As a history major with a minor in world languages and customs, Cawelti aspires to see more of the world while serving his country.

"Being a history buff, reading a lot about World War II and seeing the patriotism that was rampant in the 1940-1950 era really made me feel like it's the right thing to do," Cawelti said.

With a grandfather who served an enlistment during the pre-Vietnam era as a crew chief and a father who made the Air Force a career, Cawelti seeks to follow in the footsteps left by the men before him.

"I've always wanted to join the Air Force," Cawelti said. "Being a military brat, I was able to see all of the benefits and opportunities the Air Force has to offer."

To accomplish that goal, Cawelti will rely heavily on the solid foundation of physical fitness he has built.

"Fitness helps me stay focused on making improvements in the areas of my life that are important," Cawelti said. "That way I can stay focused on the goals ahead of me."