Wednesday, May 14, 2008 Soldiers to undergo physical fitness test
NEW Armed Forces Chief Alexander Yano said the officers and men would be considered for promotion to key positions in the military only after a physical fitness test (PFT).
A day after assuming the highest post in the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) last Monday, Yano vowed that he is enforcing to the letter existing regulations on the physical fitness test, regardless of their rank or the military major service they are affiliated.
Yano made the declaration after he presided over assumption of Lieutenant General Rodrigo Maclang and Brigadier General Romeo Lustestica as the new AFP deputy chief of staff for administration and AFP deputy chief of staff for operations, respectively, in rites held at Camp Agunaldo.
"What is certain is we will vigorously push for the conduct of the physical fitness test not only in GHQ (general headquarters) but AFP-wide so I hope that should be clear to all of us as a prerequisite for designation to key positions and promotion, any rank in any major service regardless," said Yano.
He said physical fitness has always been as old as the organization itself and "it has been a requirement for everybody to be generally fit of military service and there is no exception, it doesn't say that generals are exempted."
"So we will tow the line. Henceforth, the chief of staff, the vice of chief (Lieutenant General Cardozo Luna) and the TDCS (the deputy chief of staff) will lead the way in taking the physical fitness test. Whether its semestral or quarterly and we will make sure that we not only take but pass the test," he said.
"I hope that this is heard very clear that everybody even my service commanders. I don't think I'm violating any policy in doing that so will make sure that physical fitness is a prerequisite not only for designations to key positions, promotions but even in foreign deployments and schooling abroad so it should be a very strict requirement," Yano said.
"We don't even have to talk about other qualifications, first and foremost we have to take and pass the PFT even before you are considered for promotions, designations and deployment and other privileges that a military officer or enlisted personnel should enjoy," he said.
Yano said the PFT, which include a two-mile run, sit-ups and push-ups, appeared to have been neglected by military commanders in the past.
"We will implement it strictly. Perhaps in the past it may not have been given due importance but at present, I will make it as a requirement and just implement it and I will do it myself and lead the way as I have done as Army chief," he added. (VR/Sunnex)
