"Colonel relieved of command for failing fitness test"

2015-07-10T14:51:19-04:00

From: USA Today
--
The Air Force removed the commander of the Grand Forks Air Base in North Dakota because he failed his physical fitness test.

Col. Tim Bush is no longer in command of the 319th Air Base Wing at the base as of Wednesday, Maj. Mike Andrews, spokesman for Air Mobility Command, said in a statement. The wing's vice commander, Col. Christopher Mann, is interim commander until a replacement is found.

Bush had failed the physical fitness test because his waistline was measured at 41 inches, 2 inches above the limit, he said.

"Bush was not relieved for alleged misconduct or wrongdoing," a news release from Air Mobility Command said.

The colonel told his airmen the same day, announcing it at the end of a routine commander's call.

"I closed by discussing our Air Force traditions, our core values and our standards, and that we are the greatest Air Force the world has ever seen because we have standards and we enforce those standards and we hold people accountable," Bush told Air Force Times. "In this case, I didn't meet it, so I need to step down as commander.

"I offered the wing a final salute and then I left the stage," Bush said.

Until that point, Bush had an enviable record. His previous assignments include serving as presidential advance agent for Air Force One, aide-de-camp to the commander of U.S. Joint Forces Command and deputy director of mobility forces for U.S. Air Forces Central Command at Al Udeid Air Base, Qatar. He was a 1988 Air Force Academy graduate.

His military decorations include the Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal and Air Force Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf clusters.

Maj. Gen. William Bender, the Air Force Expeditionary Center commander who oversees administrative control for six wings and two groups within Air Mobility Command, made the decision to relieve Bush of command.

When talking about the abrupt end of his Air Force career, Bush stressed repeatedly that the Air Force has its standards for a reason and no one should be exempt from them.

"As a wing commander, I have a duty and responsibility to adhere to and enforce all Air Force standards, and in this particular case, I did not meet an Air Force standard," Bush said. "When you don't meet the standards as the commander, you can't be the commander."

He expressed no ill will toward the Air Force for relieving him of command.

"A tough decision for my chain of command, but in terms of enforcing equitably up and down all ranks, the Air Force made a fair and just decision," Bush said.

This was not the first time Bush has had problems with the physical fitness test. After having shoulder surgery a year ago, he was unable to complete it, he said. After some recovery, he passed the test in May but still could not do the pushup portion of the test.

On his latest test, he was able to pass everything except the waist measurement.

"I'm always confident that I can pass situps, pushups and run; I never had a problem with that, but I've been a big guy all my life," Bush said. "I'm not a string bean, but I think I'm prepared to do what my Air Force and nation ask me to do," Bush said. "However, in this particular situation, I did not meet the standard, and so I have to step down as the commander."

The Air Force's fitness standards have been a "moving target" since Bush graduated from the Air Force Academy in 1988, he said. "But we have better standards now than we did when I joined the Air Force in the '80s, and we have a better Air Force because of it."

Laurie Johnson, Bush's sister, remembers one moment that shows just how deeply Bush believes the Air Force makes the right call.

Johnson, who also was in the Air Force, was passed over for promotion to lieutenant colonel because of an error on someone else's part, she said. When she told her brother about it, Bush told her to fight the decision.

"I remember his words to me, too. He said, 'Sis, the Air Force is fair and sometimes their initial decision might not be a fair one; however, the thing I love about the military is that there are always ways to come around and have your stuff looked at fairly,'" she said.

Ultimately, she won and was promoted.

Bush was a true mentor to noncommissioned officers who went the extra mile — celebrating with them when they were promoted, Johnson said.

"He was the one who flew down on his own dime, a lot of times, to be at their ceremonies to congratulate them — to actually be that presence and not just send a note but actually be there," she said. "You just don't see that in all the leadership."

For Bush, who has requested to retire, the future suddenly has become uncertain.

"My wife and I are exploring any and all opportunities," he said. "My daughter will graduate high school here in Grand Forks on May 26, so we'll stay here in the local area until she graduates."

Bush hopes airmen can use his experience as a teachable moment.

"I think the airmen need to know it doesn't matter whether you have one stripe (or) you've got bars, stars, leaves or eagles; you are accountable to meet the Air Force standards," he said.

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2013/03/25/air-force-colonel-waistline/2017841/

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 10 at 2015 2:54 PM

2015-07-10T14:54:06-04:00

This is an old one, but I do think this was a bit over the top. There was a time when a single PT failure would not destroy a career. Now, I'd almost rather get a DUI than fail a PT test.

Response by MSgt David Haupt made Jul 10 at 2015 2:59 PM

2015-07-10T14:59:31-04:00

Once again the waist measurement is a joke. I don't care. I have seen people who are over the waist limit and run, push and sit their ass off. He is good man for stepping down and abiding by the rules. So what ever happen to the ten day retest. Umm three inches in ten days is not that hard to loose. How is it that there are Commanders out there that don't run or walk and still command? I am so glad I retired.

Response by SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz made Jul 10 at 2015 3:01 PM

2015-07-10T15:01:15-04:00

That's a first.

Response by COL Jean (John) F. B. made Jul 10 at 2015 3:02 PM

2015-07-10T15:02:06-04:00

I agree that the standard is the standard and nobody is exempt. Having said that, seems to me that other options were available, or, maybe they had all been exhausted.. it is unclear from the article.

Also, I am not aware that having a 41" waist is a failure. Passing the PT test and meeting the height/weight/body fat requirements are what matter, not the size of the waistline.

Response by SGT Roberto Mendoza-Diaz made Jul 10 at 2015 3:07 PM

2015-07-10T15:07:15-04:00

I think there is another side to this story. Something else must had happened because this doesn't makes sense. He should have got two more tries to pass the test. This situation smells fishy.

Response by CH (MAJ) William Beaver made Jul 10 at 2015 3:11 PM

2015-07-10T15:11:34-04:00

Is the CO in the photo using his hands to describe the waistline?

Response by Cpl Jeff N. made Jul 10 at 2015 3:35 PM

2015-07-10T15:35:51-04:00

You would have to be pretty darned tall to make a 41" waist line look good. What would you need to be, 6" 6+ to make that work? My guess is he had more than one chance to fix this. The Air Force is pretty lenient in this area.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jul 10 at 2015 4:09 PM

2015-07-10T16:09:34-04:00

Seems like a trivial reason to lose the investment the Air Force has made in him.

Response by MSgt James Mullis made Jul 10 at 2015 4:12 PM

2015-07-10T16:12:18-04:00

He's been in his current position at Grand Forks for a little over two years and his prior command was stateside as well. Something tells me that his next assignment would have been at a short tour to someplace unpleasant. I wonder if this wasn't an active decision on his part. Go out with a bang rather than be forced to endure another year away from his family. Its happened before.

Response by MSgt John Grollimund made Jul 10 at 2015 5:13 PM

2015-07-10T17:13:39-04:00

Col Bush was my Wing Commander. He is 6'4 inches tall. One of the best commanders I ever had. He did not look bad in a uniform. There were no underlying factors. I believe it was Air Mobility Command's push to make sure that it was understood that no one was exempt from the PT standards. The Air Force lost a great leader that day.

Response by CW2 John Brookins made Jul 10 at 2015 5:40 PM

2015-07-10T17:40:59-04:00

I'm not sure what to say to this. From the picture it doesn't seem possible. I generally applaud ensuring the rules are applied to all, they should be. But something doesn't seem right here.

Response by MSgt Steven Holt, NRP, CCEMT-P made Jul 10 at 2015 5:52 PM

2015-07-10T17:52:44-04:00

And so the Air Force loses another skilled leader and proven professional all because he doesn't fit the "image".

I don't know how tall or what type of body composition Colonel Bush has but from the picture above he appears to be rather tall and broad framed. I know with my own 6' tall frame, I could never reach that ideal 32" waist the AF seems to be looking for. For that matter, the last time I had a 32" waist was when I was 14 years old. And I was considerably more overweight and out of shape than I ever was while on active duty.

Response by SMSgt Judy Hickman made Jul 10 at 2015 11:47 PM

2015-07-10T23:47:10-04:00

I have not doubt that I would be fired and on my way to retirement if I fail my fitness test. I am glad he had the opportunity to take this challenge and handle it with grace. I work in the hospital and we have a lot of truly broke airman (we have some not so broke airman too, who play the system), but these broke airman need time to recover from a surgery, instead they are worried about being exempt from a portion...because it might hurt your career. Nobody cares why you were exempt, you just were and therefore you must be a slacker. If we spend more time trying to get people fully rehabilitated, maybe we wouldn't be paying so much out in disability each year. And we are the ones who are paying it, its our tax dollars.

Response by Maj Mike Sciales made Jul 10 at 2015 11:55 PM

2015-07-10T23:55:01-04:00

Fired for being fat. Then once we get the Force healthy and living longer we cut benefits. Hmmmm. We'd be better off issuing every member over 18 years a carton of Luckies & case of whiskey so they'd die sooner.

Response by COL Charles Williams made Jul 11 at 2015 1:32 AM

2015-07-11T01:32:36-04:00

RallyPoint Shared Content As it should be... Too often, senior leaders fail to meet weight and physical fitness standards, and no one does a thing.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jul 11 at 2015 2:33 AM

2015-07-11T02:33:18-04:00

RallyPoint Shared Content, this is kind of bittersweet for me. On the one hand I'm glad to see that everyone is being held to the same standard.

On the other hand, I think it's kind of silly that the Air Force has waist measurements in addition to height/weight requirements. In the Navy (but this may change based on what I've read) you only get measured if you're over height/weight.

I also think that body fat standards are long due for an overhaul. Not everyone has the same type of body, and not everyone with a 41 inch waist is a fat ass. I've seen skinny people who can't run one lap without puking and I've seen guys with pot bellies absolutely smoke the run. Then there's the people who are into body building and/or cross fit. A guy who is 5'11" and weighs 215 of rock solid muscle is NOT a fat ass, but according to the way the Navy measures body fat he is.

On the other hand, I didn't realize that one PT test failure in the Air Force means you pack your duffel bag and go home. In the Navy it's 3 tests in a 2 year (I think) period.

With that said, and the majority of service members have been saying this for years, it's time to rethink the way the military measures body fat.

Response by TSgt Gwen Walcott made Jul 11 at 2015 2:01 PM

2015-07-11T14:01:36-04:00

But the failure satisfies the chest beating ego-narcissism of the bean counters (and that's all that matters to senior management <== how THEY are PERCEIVED)

Response by TSgt Brian M made Jul 11 at 2015 5:43 PM

2015-07-11T17:43:41-04:00

So two years after this guy was forced to retire, why is this worthy of discussion?

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 11 at 2015 7:43 PM

2015-07-11T19:43:42-04:00

Nice to see that standard applied equally to the officer and enlisted corps. It is routine for NCOICs, First Shirts, Sups to get relieved if they fail.

Many of us do not agree with the current stds but they are the current stds.
That being said the PT test should not include weight or size.....it should be based on performance....The run should take X amount of time, you have to do Y sit-ups, and Z push-ups regardless of age, sex, or size

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made Jul 11 at 2015 7:53 PM

2015-07-11T19:53:06-04:00

Train to lead, lead to train!

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2015 12:05 AM

2015-07-12T00:05:07-04:00

This was a leader and leaders set the example especially when it come to the basics. Passing a PT Test and HT/WT is a must for everyone that wears a uniform. How many enlisted personnel have been sent home for the same thing? Good job Air Force!

Response by COL Jeff Williams made Jul 12 at 2015 1:27 PM

2015-07-12T13:27:17-04:00

More to this than is reported

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2015 1:53 PM

2015-07-12T13:53:37-04:00

This is an old story, but the good news is the USAF woke up a bit and reinstated the alternate BMI test via the waste and neck measurement. So if you pass the performance parts of the test, and you failed the waste tape, you can get the alternate BMI test, and if you pass that you get an overall pass with a 75, nothing more than a 75 regardless of how well you do on the other components.

Response by SN Greg Wright made Jul 12 at 2015 2:01 PM

2015-07-12T14:01:52-04:00

This is ridiculous. Look at that picture. You're telling me that man can't do his job properly? He's not in the least fat! Way to shoot yourselves in the foot, AF. Lose what by all accounts is a competent leader over arcane, inane standards.

Response by SGT James Kimbell made Jul 12 at 2015 2:16 PM

2015-07-12T14:16:49-04:00

What's the female requirements? I've seen some of them, can't pass a PFT, and should have wide load put on their backside, but keep moving up the ranks.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2015 4:57 PM

2015-07-12T16:57:27-04:00

He doesn't look like he would have a 41 inch waist. Is he like 7 feet tall? Yes the waist measurement part of the test is a joke, and not properly weighted. One loses more points based off of the waist measurement than the sit ups and pushups portions of the test respectively. I thought the AF did well by ridding ourselves of the ergo test and weight standard, but the AF just has to continually have an illogical aspect of fitness standards one way or another.

Response by SSgt Jonathan Ayers made Jul 12 at 2015 6:23 PM

2015-07-12T18:23:33-04:00

I call bullshit on this...there had to be more to this. I think he did something else and they used this as a coverup.

Response by Capt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2015 6:55 PM

2015-07-12T18:55:22-04:00

Get rid of the waist measurement, and replace it with pull-ups!!

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2015 7:48 PM

2015-07-12T19:48:24-04:00

There is no way the guy in this photo has a 41" waist????

Response by Maj Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2015 7:50 PM

2015-07-12T19:50:04-04:00

The problem has always been most units follow it to the "T" but some pencil whip it. During my last six years I was in a special unit and our personnel guy just signed off on all the tests. We never asked or directed him to - that was just the way they did it.

Response by Sgt Jerami Ballard made Jul 12 at 2015 8:57 PM

2015-07-12T20:57:11-04:00

Just another reason why the physical fitness standards across the board need to be re-evaluated.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 12 at 2015 10:14 PM

2015-07-12T22:14:05-04:00

I thought the waist measurement was now only used if the member had problems in the other areas. Until they index it for height, it's a complete BS thing to score people (a 36 inch waist on someone who is 5'3" is very different than on someone who is 6'3"... unless you're in the AF).

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Jul 12 at 2015 10:38 PM

2015-07-12T22:38:32-04:00

But can he fight? How chicken! Isn't there a remedial period? What a shame to lose such a talented officer. PT Nazis strike again.

Response by 1LT Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2015 12:04 AM

2015-07-13T00:04:04-04:00

The example come from above! And thank you the Colonel for leading the way!

Response by Capt Jeff S. made Jul 13 at 2015 12:04 AM

2015-07-13T00:04:38-04:00

The Air Force made the right decision.

Response by SGT(P) Jennifer Brande made Jul 13 at 2015 11:20 AM

2015-07-13T11:20:37-04:00

Personally I see no problem with any service member being relieved of a position or command for not meeting the standards the branches put out to others. There is no place, especially nowadays that a person who chooses to serve that they do not meet every standard required they should step aside.

As a medically retired army soldier, I understood the reason why they felt the need to let me go, I simply could not pick up a rucksack and run with a full load in it as well as dodge incoming rounds or fire and knew that going back to my unit would make me the "weakest link" which meant putting my fellow service members in danger.

Response by MSgt Matthew Meindl made Jul 13 at 2015 1:24 PM

2015-07-13T13:24:36-04:00

Waist measurement is NOT a measure of fitness, it is an appearance item. Has absolutely no place in the fitness exam. This use to be identified independently during weigh in on birthday annually, not tied in with fitness. He should not be subjected to such extreme measures on ONE failure.

Response by SMSgt Bob Swanson made Jul 13 at 2015 1:26 PM

2015-07-13T13:26:42-04:00

The waist measurement is as arbitrary a standard as I have ever seen. It makes no sense. That being said the other aspects of the AF PT test are too low to be a good standard of fitness. But it is a good tool to thin the herd when necessary.

Response by MSgt Paul Skinner made Jul 13 at 2015 2:49 PM

2015-07-13T14:49:58-04:00

Thank you for your service Col. Bush, I also struggle with the weight rquirements during my 20.5 years in the Air Force, I loved my career and job, I was a Crew Chief in the Air Force , and retired as a Master Sgt. I Salute you Col. Bush.

Response by SFC Michael Hasbun made Jul 13 at 2015 3:44 PM

2015-07-13T15:44:47-04:00

I don't understand how we can publicly get rid of a top performer for such an arbitrary, stupid reason and not be deeply ashamed of ourselves...

Response by SGT Michael DeLaGarza made Jul 13 at 2015 3:46 PM

2015-07-13T15:46:49-04:00

A "True Leader" Knows when to step aside; I salute COL Bush. He is what a Leader is and should be. I wish him and his family the very best in the future.

Response by CMSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 13 at 2015 5:32 PM

2015-07-13T17:32:25-04:00

No AF weight standard...just waist, aerobic and strength standards.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jul 14 at 2015 5:56 AM

2015-07-14T05:56:41-04:00

He at one time must have passed the waist measurement test. He didn’t go to bed one night with a 39” waist and wake up with a 41”+ waist. He knew the standards and sometime during his career had to enforce standards with subordinates. He may have been a great commander and a great guy, but great guys need to meet the standard too.

Response by Col Dick Rauschkolb made Jul 14 at 2015 9:29 PM

2015-07-14T21:29:56-04:00

Absolute bullshit! How the hell did Bender make General?! You need to command with some common sense Bender. It is you who' should be relieved for poor judgement! I can't believe horseshit like this going on in our Air Force. I am glad I never worked for and asshole like you Bender!

Response by SSgt Tara Bunke Meyers made Jul 25 at 2015 12:32 AM

2015-07-25T00:32:35-04:00

I always thought the waistline measurement was faulty. You could have a short person with the same size waistline as tall person. The short person may have a much greater BMI as the tall person but still pass. Just didn't seem fair. I haven't been in for 7 years now. I hope they corrected that by now.

Response by A1C Private RallyPoint Member made Aug 10 at 2015 4:33 PM

2015-08-10T16:33:10-04:00

I am happy to see that he was such a man on being forced to retire. I know a lot of people who would have caused a ruckus, blamed other people or the Air Force etc...

I also believe that he should not have been forced out over the waist measurement. I am a very small person (5'6") and have always had a small waist, even before I joined when I was out of shape. Just because he had a little bit of a bigger belly, doesn't mean he wasn't fit enough to fight and he proved that by passing all the other parts of the PT test.

Response by SMSgt Daniel Yoder made Oct 17 at 2015 3:35 PM

2015-10-17T15:35:04-04:00

Not saying Col. BUSH is a bad person but it is about dame time. To many times during my 30 year career did i see one standard for airmen and NCOS and one standard for officers. This includes SNCOS who I am putting myself in the group of leadership that I felt sometimes may have been passed under circumstances where a airmen would not have been. PT has been a issue for some time in the Air Force and has not been consistent in its treatment and the way measurements and weight were calculated within the PT exam. I served with many airmen near the end of my career in 2010 to 2012 that were immediately kicked out of the service without consideration for the purpose of the failure but told that they did not meet the standard no matter what there performance was. Some of these airmen and junior NCOS were men and women who in all regards could run faster and were much stronger then some of those that were not fit enough to pass all phases of the PT test. I can personally say that I served under a Squadron Commander and a Mission Support group commander who could not do a pushup, situp to save there lives and were noticably over weight too but consistently seem to pass that PT test every year. Funny sometimes I never saw them even take the test.

Regardless I am glad the Airforce is starting to hold everyone to the same standard as everyone else whether that person is a airmen, NCO, or Officer. I commend Col. BUSH for being candid and honest about his physical condition and excepting responsibility not only to his peers but subordinates.

Response by Lt Col John (Jack) Christensen made Jul 10 at 2016 1:21 PM

2016-07-10T13:21:42-04:00

I feel for Col Bush and understand his predicament. For my entire career in the Air Force I was on the ragged edge of being him, it actually started before coming in the AF. I had from December to May to get from my football playing weight of 220 down to the AF maximum of 194 for my height. Obviously I succeeded, but this was a constant battle for the rest of my time in the AF. I agree that standards are there for a reason and every member of the military understands the consequences of not meeting those standards. Given his rank and position, I'm reasonably sure there is a back story that wasn't discussed in the article.

Response by Capt Tom Brown made Jul 10 at 2016 4:30 PM

2016-07-10T16:30:54-04:00

RallyPoint Shared Content Does the AF have the same standards in place as when this was first posted??

Response by MSgt Mark Bucher made May 23 at 2017 1:51 PM

2017-05-23T13:51:21-04:00

I remember getting the old tape BMI prior to going to the NCO Academy. 18.5" neck, 38" waist, 54" chest, I weighed 252. My BMI was 16.5, but under the new system, I'd have been booted out. It's all bullshit the beancounters have jammed down the throat of the AF. The vast majority of them have also never heard a bullet fired in anger. Nuff said.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Jan 22 at 2018 12:55 AM

2018-01-22T00:55:17-05:00

If the gentleman in the picture is considered out of shape as to body fat and image, than perhaps the AF needs to change its standard. While I salute the integrity of the Colonel and his willingness to maintain a professional approach to this, as well as take personal responsibility, this individual was not selected as a Wing Commander for the number of holes in his belt he uses, but rather the skills, knowledge, and leadership he possessed and demonstrated during his career. I remember having Airman under my supervision during Vietnam who were some of the best Crew Chiefs in the AF, who could work 16 hour days, and could sling a 150 lb piece of cowling like it was a feather but were forced out because they were overweight by 5-6 lbs. (Usually only after they got back to world-I guess being overweight when they needed your ass in a combat zone didn't count)) I know that there will be those who criticize my comments or approach, and use the overused throwback that standards are standards. But it was my experience that those who usually took that line were the ones who looked good, but couldn't do the job of getting an airplane off the ground if their life depended on it.

Response by SGT Cort Landry made Feb 19 at 2020 3:40 PM

2020-02-19T15:40:04-05:00

I had to google his name to see how bad he was over the waist limit for physical readiness. He was no fat tub of lard at all. The Army did the TAPE test back in the day which to me was bull crap. Wait to neck ratio is idiotic. Give me a water buoyancy test any day a PT test. I will pass with flying colors.

Response by SGT Ruben Lozada made Jun 6 at 2023 3:03 PM

2023-06-06T15:03:33-04:00

Good afternoon. Excellent post. Thank You for sharing this. This would come sooner or later. I've seen a few senior officers who normally get away with it if He or She doesn't pass a PT test. But, in reality it shouldn't happen. Because if that officer can't pass a PT test, then that individual shouldn't be in that particular billet, let alone be in a leadership position as well.