Department of War's Update to Fitness and How It Has Impacted Fighter Pilots

In 2025 fitness testing and policy through the Department of War shifted to incorporate gender neutral testing for combat arms, as well as bring back more stringent and mission-driven fitness policies. For most fighter pilots, the only noticeable change was that even if they scored above a "90%" on their fitness test, they still will need to test every 6 months to ensure they are "fit to fight."

In the last month, active duty, reserve and guard squadrons have been attempting to incorporate additional regulation and oversight into fitness programs. In my squadron, we are now required to "log" our gym sessions in the fighter pilot gym. Official DoW policy is that members are required to do vigorous physical activity/exercise every duty day. On days where you are spending 9 hours in the vault prepping, briefing and debriefing, while spending 3 hours in the airplane--it can be tough to prioritize getting to the gym. Our squadron requires logging 2x sessions a week in the fighter pilot gym, and personal accountability for the additional duty days of how you incorporate your physical activity for the day.

One way to get any fighter pilot to do something is to make it competitive. Over the past month my squadron members have started tracking each other's time and it's become quite competitive between fighter pilots and the sister squadrons as to who is logging the most gym time. Fighter pilots never do anything half-way. If we do it, we do it right.

How do you compete? Are you prepared for the DoW's fitness policy? What is one thing -fitness wise-you've done this month that you are proud of? Mine is logging 30 running miles last month.

Fights On!