Explosive Ordnance Disposal has been added as the next combat arms career field to require special sex and age neutral fitness standards.
EOD joins other fields with heightened entry level and sustained physical fitness requirements. These requirements acknowledge that sustained endurance is necessary to tackle long hours in physically and mentally-taxing conditions.
The other specialties that utilize occupationally specific physical fitness assessments are in the Special Warfare community. Both communities started developing their fitness standards in 2015.
Starting Aug. 1, EOD Airmen will begin taking the new assessment that will measure their ability to perform tasks necessary to accomplish critical mission objectives. During an adaptation period over the last year, EOD Airmen took an unofficial version of the test. Results after July 31 will be part of an EOD Airman's official record.
The assessment will include four exercises to assess muscular strength and endurance, anaerobic capacity and cardiorespiratory endurance:
- 1000-meter row
- 20-lb. medicine ball toss
- Trap bar lift
- Gruseter drop-roll-lift-run maneuver
EOD Airmen with a 3E8XX Air Force Specialty Code and EOD-qualified officers assigned to a 32E3H duty position are currently exempt from the Air Force Physical Fitness Assessment and have begun training for the EOD OSPFA.
"Maintaining our strategic advantage is about building a ready force capable of engaging against any threat to the United States across the spectrum of operations from competition through crisis and if deterrence fails, to prevail in conflict," said Brig. Gen. Brian Hartless, Civil Engineers director. "Our EOD Airmen are crucial to preserving our nation's security."
The 1000-meter row measures cardiovascular fitness, which relates to EOD operations such as bombing range explosive hazard removal and bomb suit operations to defeat improvised explosive devices.
