BAPT prepares Airmen for PAST

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Hailey Haux
  • 86th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
RAMSTEIN AIR BASE, Germany --  When cross training into a special operations carrier field, Airmen must take the physical ability and stamina test in order to be eligible for the job.

The Battlefield Airmen Prospect Training's main focus is to assist those Airmen who want to cross train into special operations jobs with passing the PAST.

"The program was set up in summer 2011 by Command Chief Master Sgt. Bruce Dixon (435th Air Ground Operations Wing command chief) to aid Airmen in preparing for the PAST as well as the week long assessment following the PAST," said Tech. Sgt. Joshua Morrissette, BAPT team leader. "Everything we do to prepare, we do as a team."

The workouts done during their sessions involve buddy carries, push-ups, running and much more.

"We do a lot of water confidence work as well," Morrissette said. "We have everyone do mask and snorkel recovery, underwater swimming and sometimes teach the basics of swimming."

The PAST requires high levels of physical training and is very strict on the form that's used by the Airmen and trainees.

"All our workouts are focused on form," Morrissette said. "It's quality over quantity. The program is a real eye-opener for those who are trying to cross train into these jobs. It takes about a month of working out with us for someone to decide if it's for them."

Occasionally, some of the guys need a little motivation to keep going during a workout and not give up.

"I pull their first and most recent PAST and remind them of how far they have come," Morrissette said. "Everything we do, we're doing together. Everyone is sweating and having a hard time together."

For some, they have seen a huge improvement from their first PAST and most recent test.

"The first PAST I took I did awful. I couldn't finish 10 laps (down & back) in the pool or do 25 meter under-waters," said Senior Airman Tuifua Akau, BAPT participant. "After working out with BAPT for a little over a month, I retook another PAST. My numbers drastically changed. I completed all 10 laps in the pool, was able to do both 25 meter under-waters and not even break a sweat. Lastly, the thing I'm most proud of is that I ran my 1.5 miles in 9:57."

For more information on the BAPT program contact Tech. Sgt. Morrissette at DSN: 480-5014 or commercial: 06371475014.