Chief Humphrey was at Tinker AFB and offered to administer a practice PAST for anyone that was interested in CCT. It gave me a chance to see where I stand fitness wise and what I need to work on. I surprised myself with the swim time. I finished so quickly that I started questioning my ability to count laps. I was also surprised by how heavy my legs were only a mile into the run. I also need to improve on upper body endurance. The pushups are my weak spot. Well here are my scores.

1500 meter swim - 24 minutes
3 mile run - 21:36
pullups - 14
situps - 67
pushups - 56

SrA Bracken,

Damn good swim time, an 8min 500 pace isn't easy to keep. Keep working on the other numbers, and they'll come. How long have you been training?

-Stephen

[]SrA Bracken,

Damn good swim time, an 8min 500 pace isn't easy to keep. Keep working on the other numbers, and they'll come. How long have you been training?

-Stephen [/]

I have been working on my swim since January. I work with two separate swim coaches 3 times a week to improve my form and the rest of the time I do garbage laps. I did the first 750 with Rocket fins on but had to ditch them due to a severe cramp in my arch. I really feel that doing laps with nothing but my legs has improved my cardio more than anything. I put my arms out in a streamlined position and doing 10 50's with nothing but legs, with a 60 second break in between intervals.

And let me finish off my reply by saying ROLL TIDE! <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

I made a thread about this on a forum I go to. Majority of people said I was out of shape and they could easily pass the test. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" /> Guess I need to take my fat butt to the gym more often.

Did they require you to wear fins on the new test?

[]Did they require you to wear fins on the new test? [/]

No, optional. I was flying with them on but the cramp became to much to deal with. I pulled them off one at a time while gliding under water. Took me about 3 lengths of the pool to get them completely off.

what's your 1500M w/out fins?

[]what's your 1500M w/out fins? [/]

Never timed myself without fins. I have done 1500 meters freestyle, just never paid attention to the clock. I know my 500 meter without fins is 9:17.

Wait, they allow you to wear fins for the PAST now?!?!? I thought that the only allowable gear was a swim suit and some goggles!

[]Wait, they allow you to wear fins for the PAST now?!?!? I thought that the only allowable gear was a swim suit and some goggles! [/]

Do not quote me on this but I was told it was the same standard as the fitness test for ATC graduation.

One 1500-meter surface swim. This swim is conducted using the freestyle or sidestroke. Maximum time limit is 34 minutes (34:00). The swim is conducted wearing fins and mask, snorkel is optional. The swim is continuous (non-stop). If a member stops any time during the swim, the test will be stopped and considered a failure for the entire PAST. After completion of the swim, allow a 30-minute rest prior to the next event. Members should carefully stretch for the run during this break time.

I am confirming this information and will post the answer ASAP. It is changing, just confirming the fins.

The new CCT PAST standards for cross-trainees have not gone into effect yet. A message change will likely be sent out soon. As always, I'll post the info once I get it.

TE,
Do you know if those new standards might be going into effect in the next month or two? This way I can adjust my weekly PAST test to reflect the new standards during the time I have remaining before CCOC starts.

Thanks

No idea...it was supposed to be done in May but didn't happen...

TE,
Thanks for the quick response

Just because the PAST doesn't reflect the new proposed standards yet, doesn't mean you can't raise the bar yourself to better prepare.

AA...are you trying to up your post total by stating the obvious? <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

[]Just because the PAST doesn't reflect the new proposed standards yet, doesn't mean you can't raise the bar yourself to better prepare. [/]

Chief giving us this practice PAST gave me a great idea of were I was physically and what I needed to focus more on. And if the new standards don't go into effect and I test on the current PAST standards, I will be ahead of the power curve somewhat.

I took the PAST on the 23rd of this month. I'm stationed at Lackland AFB. They made me take it by the new standards and I was not allowed to use fins. I had thought I could and trained accordingly, but doing the test without fins made my perfomance significantly weaker.

[]I took the PAST on the 23rd of this month. They made me take it by the new standards and I was not allowed to use fins. [/]

No fins? I thought that the new x-train/PS PAST was the ATC graduation standards.

Lars,
Was the time the same without the fins?

[]Lars,
Was the time the same without the fins? [/]

I hope not, 1500 meters without fins in 34 minutes will be tight for me. Guess I need to start swimming even more.

It was still 34 minutes. freestyle or side-stroke.

Going to get clarification from my MPF as to what the new standards are.

As I said earlier...the change is not official yet...this was a "practice" PAST. The new standards (when implemented) will require fins for the prior service PAST per the CCT fact sheet...

TE,
Is it going to be the same for the Prior Service PJ/PAST?

Not at this time. There is discussion about changing the PS PJ PAST, but for now its the same point system for all.

[]As I said earlier...the change is not official yet...this was a "practice" PAST. The new standards (when implemented) will require fins for the prior service PAST per the CCT fact sheet... [/]

Thank you.

Could they have then given me the wrong test? The test I took was not supposed to be a practice PAST. Everything else that I have heard says the test is with fins and is not even in effect yet. The test I took was the new standards and without fins. Either way I am still trying to improve, but if I took a harder test than I had to it is a little discouraging.

Whomever "they" are are WRONG...have them contact me directly if they have questions...bottom line, your test was not "official"...ergo, your enlistment may not be legal...

I'm already in the Air Force so there are no problems with my enlistment. I know that I need to do the PAST test so i can cross-train. "They" are the cadre at the Combat Control schoolhouse at Lackland. I don't mean to be rude, I'm just trying to find out why I had to take a test that everyone else says is wrong. Prior to the day I tested they told me that the test was to be done with fins. Only about five minutes before I got in the water did anyone say different.

"They" are mis-informed...have them double check with Mr. Norrad and/or the 720th STG.

Thanks for the help. I'll do that.

[]As I said earlier...the change is not official yet...this was a "practice" PAST. The new standards (when implemented) will require fins for the prior service PAST per the CCT fact sheet... [/]

There seems to be some confusion about this up at MPF. Is there a concrete reference I can point to that states I need to have a documented PAST by the current 500 meter/1.5 mile standard?

I would ask to see a message, or instruction, that states the new one is in effect. This also effects us in Recruiting Service and we haven't received anything stating the old PAST isn't valid.

Is your MPF saying the new test is in effect? Agree w/AF Recruiter, ask for a message change...I'll triple check with Wayne Norrad tomorrow...

[]Is your MPF saying the new test is in effect? Agree w/AF Recruiter, ask for a message change...I'll triple check with Wayne Norrad tomorrow... [/]

They are not sure which standard. I am ready to submit my retraining packet if it is by the old standard. I would have to take a another PAST by the new standards if they are in place already.

Just got confirmation from Wayne Norrad, it is not official yet...the latest official guidance is the CCT PAST message located here:

http://www.specialtactics.com/cctpastmessage.shtml

[]Just got confirmation from Wayne Norrad, it is not official yet...the latest official guidance is the CCT PAST message located here:

htp://www.specialtactics.com/cctpastmessage.shtml [/]


Do appreciate it.

Thanks for the help. I appreciate it.

Does anyone know the reason for changing the PAST standards for retrainee's and not everone? Why was it not changed for new airman entering the Air Force? Just want to know. Is because reatrinees have been performing poor in the pipeline or just to keep more retrainees out of the pipeline? Thanks in Advance for Answering the Post

Also one more thing a retrainee takes the PAST next week by the current standards he will be grandfathered correct??

Thanks Again

You will not have to take the new PAST...the reason for the xtrainee higher standards is that they are going to be the leaders of the class and are supposed to be disciplined enough and mature enough to train to higher standards to get in...

Makes sense, Thanks TE never looked at it like that.

I'm shure this has been brought up if you go to usmilitary.about.com and type past in the search you get the new past for prior service retrainees. Hope this helps anyone also dont know much about this site so don't know how good the info is. TE if this is posted on this site I apologize not trying to take anything away from this site.

I get my info directly from the source. The info on the "about" site is old, and I've seen some things directly taken from this site (without permission).

Hang around long enough and you'll know a lot about his site, and realize just how good the info is.

I was not aware of that TE I was trying to help some of the people that have helped me. Now that I know what I know I will be more careful where I get info from. I would hate to give someone bogus info.

No worries.