Disgracefull: A Rant

[Bateluer]

Originally posted by: sygyzy
What's the issue with the ERGO test, other than how scared it made the subjects, driving many of them to cheat it? It seems to me it's a perfectly good test. I think professional cyclists use it to measure their optimal output.

Because it tracks only the heart rate, an individual can smoke a cigarette before the test and pass, while an fit individual can fail simply because they are a little nervous about the test.

There were many instances of heavy smokers and drinkers passing the test, while nonsmokers/drinkers failed. Not to say that smokers and drinkers cannot be fit, but the numbers should have favor towards the nonsmokers/drinkers.

A lot of people didn't like it because they didn't understand how the computer was calculating its %. Even though they knew it was based on their heart rate, they had no idea how it actually calculated its final number. I don't actually know either.

When the AF first switched over to the new standard, there were several incidents of individuals who had passed their ERGO tests recently having heart attacks at their first unit PT sessions. Ironic.

There is also a lot of variation in people's heart rates. I work with an individual who has an abnormally low heart rate. I know there is nothing physically wrong with him, he eats decently and PTs with the rest of us without any issues. He recently had a knee condition that required him to complete the ERGO test. He scored in the high 90s because of his low heart rate. Even though several people, including myself, can run circles around him at the track, he still scores better than we will on the ERGO tests because our heart rates are more in line with the average.

It was a horrible test, trust me. The new system is much much better.

I failed it myself 3 times, even though I had the time I was running 20 to 30 minutes every night. Odds are, I'd fail it today, even though I'm running 10Ks every day.

 

[Whitecloak]

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
Meh.

fatty

 

[sandorski]

10 minute miles are pretty sad, but so is this rant!

2/10

Rant too long, ran out of breath reading it, and an AF Member would have to run slower just to finish it in a Mile.

 

[gwrober]

Just my .02 as an AF vet:

-The ergo test had a good idea as a basis, but was a joke. I've failed that test a few times. The problem with standardization is that it'll weed out those that don't fit into standards - but that doesn't make them bad, or fat, etc. necessarily.

-Our command had their own PT program on top of the ergo - so no excuses.

-We also rotated to the middle east on a regular basis, yes in harm's way, no stupid "AF doesn't see combat from their chairs" BS. :| I carried small arms and an M16 most days, out in the open, working on comm equipment. I've seen overweight troops in the desert sun 12+ hours not complain a bit, but still be unable to pass a PT test.

-A lot of my coworkers/fellow airmen had desk jobs too. We had missions to support and computer work to do. AND we had deployments, live training, etc.

-No we may not be as 'hardcore' as the Marines or Army, but that doesn't mean we aren't military, or soldiers. And it definitely does not mean we couldn't hold our own in combat.

-AF doesn't do combat??? "Accidentally"?? What about the convoys that deliver supplies? Or the communication guys working on dishes and lines, getting shot at? MP? CC? Pararescue? Heck even the admin pop-tarts are seeing combat. When 9/11 happened I was in the middle of briefing the brass in my command in an air condition conference room in south Texas, and right after volunteered to go help with the efforts up north. I guess that was an "accident" huh.

-Yes it was wrong of the SNCO to blame the OP. But he got busted down for failing, which is how the system should be. He has no one to blame but himself. :thumbsdown:

I get sooo tired of the "AF/Army/Marines are better" fight. My last base was multi-service, and we all got along fine. We all trained together, fought together. One of my mentors is a Navy Chief, my dad was an AF SNCO (bomber crew), my sister an Army soldier, my wife an AF NCO, my friends a mix of all, and I'm an AF vet.

 

[Regs]

Originally posted by: Chiller2
Are you in the Air Force because evidently you have NO idea what their duties are. Except for Pilots and SAR they don't do combat and they support and maintain the equipment and pilots who do.

WTF does that have to do with anything?

He said they're active military personnel. Killing machines (sorry for the term) need to stay in shape or in some form of compliance with the standards of the USA Military.

What do you even think Boot Camp is - Batting practice?

 

[nakedfrog]

Originally posted by: Whitecloak

Originally posted by: nakedfrog
Meh.

fatty

Shut up and bake me a pie.

 

[JulesMaximus]

Well, it is the Air Force...you're either working on planes or flying them...how much PT do you need to do that?

 

[j00fek]

Originally posted by: ShockwaveVT
Sit.
Push Buttons.
Mission Complete.
http://chairforce.com/

:laugh: