Programs help Airmen pick up the pace

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman David Dobrydney
  • 48th Fighter Wing Public Affairs
ROYAL AIR FORCE LAKENHEATH, England --  With new Air Force physical training standards in full force, many Airmen are looking for ways to gain a few extra points on their scores.

When it comes to the 1.5-mile run portion of the test, units are setting challenges and Airmen are starting programs designed to motivate testers and help them shave seconds to minutes off their time.

One such Airman is Staff Sgt. Eduardo DeSouza, an independent duty medical technician with the 48th Medical Operations Squadron, started the PT Pacer program in July. Individuals give the time they wish to achieve on the run and a pacer is assigned to help them make that time.

"It's basically the principle of 'if you can do it, I can do it too,'" said Sergeant DeSouza, who said a pacer serves as both a motivator and companion to the runner.

"We're going to help you battle your fears. Most people, even before they start running at the track, are already scared," he said. "By giving you a pacer, we take away that fear of time and loneliness, especially when you're way back at the far side of the track. With a pacer, we're ahead of you and talking to you."

In addition to the Pacer program, Sergeant DeSouza also operates a PT Run class. Starting with an easy run Monday, each subsequent session builds upon the last, finishing with a mock PT test every Thursday. Sergeant DeSouza said running mock tests has an important psychological effect.

"The more mock PT tests you do, the less chance you have to be anxious when the real thing comes around," he said.

Sergeant DeSouza has run similar programs at his previous assignments and has always had the same result.

"I have not had anybody fail the PT test with a pacer," he said.