Goal days are in your hands

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Tiffany M. Grigg
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  Airmen of the 48th Fighter Wing are doing excellent when it comes to aircraft readiness, medical readiness and career development course pass rates. However, when it comes to personal responsibility, the wing is coming up short by failing physical training tests and driving under the influence, which is keeping the base from earning a goal day - a free day off given by the base commander.

"It's all about personal responsibility," said Capt. Adam Christopher, 48th FW wing executive. "Maintain your fitness and be a good Wingman. (PT failures and DUIs) are the biggest factors in preventing goal days."

Goal days can be granted once a quarter, or four per year. In order to receive one, 15 points out of a possible 21 points must be achieved. Points can be awarded through maintaining excellence in five categories:

· Aircraft readiness at 75 percent

· Medical readiness at 75 percent

· 90 percent of Airmen passing CDCs the first time

· Avoiding DUIs

· 90 percent of Airmen passing PT tests the first time

For the last two categories, DUIs and PT, the wing is not meeting the standard, which is causing the loss of goal days.

"Our biggest inability to meet the goal day comes from (lack of) personal responsibility," said Col. Mark Ciero, 48th FW vice commander. "We're doing a great job teamwork-wise. We're doing a great job producing jets. We're doing a good job with education training, making sure people are passing their CDCs, but when it comes down to personal responsibility, measuring fitness and measuring alcohol related incidents, specifically DUIs, is where we're having the most drawback on our ability to make our goal day."

There are programs available to help ensure Airmen meet the standard in these critical areas.

"The fitness center offers ten classes that increase cardiovascular and strength endurance," said Staff Sgt. Alexandro Ramos, 48th Force Support Squadron sports director. "The gym is open Monday through Thursday from 4:30 a.m. to 11 p.m., Fridays from 4:30 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. and Sundays, holidays and family days from 12 p.m. to 8 p.m."

Even when the gym is closed, there are always other options available to help Airmen maintain their fitness.

"We also have the RAF Feltwell gym that is open 24/7," said Ramos.

"The track is also always available," added Tech. Sgt. Timmy Odom, 48th FSS NCO in charge of health promotion.

If you are looking to quickly improve yourself physically but don't have much time, the Health and Wellness Center offers an intense 30-minute class that works out every area.
"The HAWC offers high intensity interval training which encompasses a total body workout. It's offered Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays three times a day from 6:30 to 7 a.m., 10:30 to 11 a.m. and 11 to 11:30 a.m.,"said Odom.

There are also measures to avoid DUIs, such as taking a cab, having a designated driver or calling Airmen Against Drunk Driving.

"If you're with a friend that's been drinking and you let them get in the car and drive away, you're to blame too for that DUI because you were there; you could have escorted them home. It's about taking care of ourselves and taking care of each other," said Christopher.

If Airmen can apply the same effort to their self-maintenance as they do to their job performance, a goal day can be achieved.