The AF is only interested in pursuing the model of "health" exemplified by Gen Schwartz and Gen McPeak before him--i.e., the anorexic twig who can't even lift their own weight, much less that of a wounded comrade.

You are right. For the commander of a heavy unit to only have 2100 hours in 25 years is pretty sad. But, I guess the only way to get that command position is to get out of the cockpit and do the staff/headquarters thing. I had a few commanders that had very little flying time; I never really respected them or trusted them when it came to operational things. If you haven't "been there done that" how can you expect to lead the troops and have them follow you?

Wow. He's barely qualified to be my FO.

My experience in the army was that the guys that just seemed moderately strong and were fairly skinny were the ones that could haul the most gear over distances. Ruck, m60, etc. I think most of the armed forces are trying to go for rounded performance, but they have different ways of trying to get there. It was almost never some 225lb muscle bound 5'11" guy that was killing the obstacle course, carrying the gear, etc. The special forces guys I knew were tough as nails, but so much of it was mental. The AF should have some systems like the MC or Army for determining this BF thing, but you have to be careful it doesn't promote more unfit airmen, which really just depends on the exact program specifics.

Not all mental. SOF operators maintain a high level of cardio and strength performance by working both very hard. They are typically stronger pound-for-pound than a gym-rat who focuses on muscle mass, but slower than a pure-endurance athlete who doesn't carry any extra weight. It's a constant tug-of-war between strength and cardio, slack off on one and you'll know it fast. You must have a natural endurance ability as a basis for that sort of regimen..anybody can build strength with diet and weights.

That's not what I said. I said "Barely qualified to be my FO" which is exactly true come Aug 1st based on his aeronautical experience. That was congress and the FAA's judgement, not mine.

I'm not saying he's a bad guy, he seems well-liked and certainly dealt with this adversity in a stand-up manner. But even I know enough about the AF to wonder what he's been doing his whole career that his time is that low...that would be a reasonable total for a pointy-nose guy. Separate issue from the waist size thing.

In the Navy nobody gets to be an O6, and most especially operational command, without doing their "MOS" job, and a lot of it.

That's what I mean. They aren't "muscle-bound" like hollywood depicts, their physical appearance might even shock some that think they know but have never interacted. But with a good balance between the two, the rest is the mental toughness and conditioning. Even in a gym you can choose to be balanced in your fitness, it's just that many choose not to.

Huggy,

I agree with what you wrote. But I have to say, 2100 hours for a heavy guy is remarkably low. Doesn't mean anything about his command ability (or probably his flying ability), but it is an interesting number.

Wasn't he a non-flyer prior to going to UPT? People always don't enter the Air Force initially to fly. Also, I know fighter guys with less than 2100 hours and I can assure you they are more than qualified to be anyone's FO.