EMT takes Airmen to the edge

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Jason Barebo
  • 509th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
WHITEMAN AIR FORCE BASE, Mo. --  The Extreme Military Training class is one of the many options available to members who have failed their PT test. Mrs. Farrah Thompson, EMT Instructor, brought the idea from Kadena Air Base, Japan, where she was a Fitness Improvement Instructor during her husband's tour of duty.

The class is open to all Active Duty and Reservists and is targeted for Airmen who have failed their PT test or feel they are borderline.

Maintaining fitness helps ensure Air Force Global Strike Command can continue its mission by providing combat ready forces to support the President of the United States and Combatant Commanders.

"Our senior leadership has gone to great lengths to ensure every Airman stays fit year-round," said Chief Master Sgt. Mark Long, the Air Force chief of enlisted promotions. "We want all Airmen to take fitness seriously. We intend that the days of 'cramming' for the annual fitness test will be replaced by an emphasis on year-round fitness. We were the only military service who did not test at least twice a year, and it's a definite step in the right direction to change the Air Force fitness culture."

When an Airman fails, he or she must attend classes that will teach them better eating and exercise habits and must take approved exercise sessions at the fitness center and be signed off that they attended, or they can ask their physical training leader to provide a more tailored workout.

"(At Kadena) we had a 98 percent pass rate," Mrs. Thompson said. "When we moved here in May, I proposed the idea to the fitness center and have received a lot of support from Master Sgt. Maria Machado, (509th Force Support Squadron), and Lt. Col. David Stanfield, (509th Force Support Squadron commander)."

Mrs. Thompson is enthusiastic each day she teaches the class.

"I love this class," Mrs. Thompson said. "Having a group workout session is very motivating, challenging and supporting. My students are always cheering each other on as well as competing with each other."

"This class is a real test of discipline," said Staff Sgt. David Gott, 509th Maintenance Squadron. "Coach drives us to the breaking point and takes us a little further. There's a point where you think to yourself, 'I can't do any more sets.' This is when Farrah drives us to push harder, and when you know you are getting a good workout."

In addition to providing exercise instruction, Mrs. Thompson tries to accompany her students on their test dates.

"I think having a familiar voice motivating them is comforting," she said. "Also after being in my class for several weeks, I can tell whether they are able to push harder or if they're already at their limit."

The EMT class meets Monday and Wednesday from 6:30 - 7:30 p.m., Tuesday and Thursday from 5:30 - 6:30 p.m. and Tuesday through Friday from 9 - 10 a.m. For more information or to sign-up, call (660) 687-5496.