No Plans for Space Force PT Test Yet

Space Force guardians must wait a little longer for physical training standards unique to their service as it figures out what requirements best match its needs.

The service won't debut PT policy guidelines until late this year at the earliest, spokeswoman Lynn Kirby told Military.com on Monday, adding that they might not come until next year.

"The Space Force is currently building its first policy to capture the service's comprehensive approach to holistic health and wellness, which will incorporate the physical fitness program," Kirby said in an email, adding that all discussions are still "pre-decisional."

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Space Force members have been told to follow the Air Force's PT guidance for now. That service is in the process of overhauling its PT test; in the new year, it plans to offer airmen a menu of options to fit three existing categories -- one aerobic and two strength.

Airmen soon will be able to choose from the standard, 1.5-mile run; a 1-mile walk; or a 20-meter "high aerobic multi-shuttle run," according to a July 2 news release. They also may choose either traditional push-ups or hand-release push-ups for one strength event; and sit-ups, a cross-leg reverse crunch or planking for the second strength component, officials have said.

Officials have stressed that personnel should make their health an overall priority instead of working out aggressively in the days leading up to a PT test to achieve a top score, something that often leads to injury.

The Space Force has been working to build its own culture since then-President Donald Trump signed the service into existence with the fiscal 2020 National Defense Authorization Act on Dec. 20, 2019.

Trump first surprised Marine Corps Gen. Joseph Dunford, then-chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, in 2018 with his push to form the new branch, with the Pentagon and congressional leadership moving rapidly to establish the service.

The service so far has debuted its unit structure and rank structure; official logo, seal, flag and motto; a dark navy-colored name tape; and a lapel pin. It still lacks an official dress uniform, physical fitness uniform and mess dress uniform; an official song; patch and insignia wear.

Some of these ideas are being crowdsourced to get input from guardians themselves, Chief Master Sgt. Roger Towberman, the service's top enlisted adviser, previously told Military.com

"It's about listening to everyone," he said in an interview last year. "We feel we can craft a service narrative that both honors military traditions and speaks to the things that we want them to speak to the essence of our service, the future of our service."

-- Oriana Pawlyk can be reached at oriana.pawlyk@military.com. Follow her on Twitter at @Oriana0214.

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