We will start this program on 1 January 2004 so there is plenty of time for us to get ready. You can use me as a benchmark. I am currently recovering from abdominal surgery and am not allowed to run for another two weeks. I won't be able to do any situps for another month. During the first week in January I plan to lead all Air Force General Officers in the Pentagon and the Washington, DC area in the PT test. During the same week, Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force Murray will do the same thing with our Command Chiefs in the area. We will follow that with the colonels, the remaining chief master sergeants, etc. We will ask the MAJCOM commanders to lead similar efforts as their operational situations allow.
I think all of us can agree that we were disappointed with the fitness standards we found when we came into the operational Air Force. We expected to be required to sustain the standards required in basic training, the Air Force Academy, ROTC, or Officer Training School. Let's not disappoint ourselves any longer. The message is simple: if you are out of shape, fix it. If you have people in your squadron who need help, help them. January 2004 is the date. Be ready.
(Signed)
General John P. Jumper
