Hey Springfield Cadets!

I wanted to issue a little challenge in an unofficial arena, and this is about as unofficial as I can get. So I hope you're paying attention...

I noticed that our squadron isn't doing so hot with the PT passing rate. Why is that?

Our cadets need to do two things in order to pass the CPFT. First, you need to get out and exercise. One cannot simply will an 8:00 mile; there's going to be practice involved. That said, you also need to believe you will pass. You need to want to improve.

I've not run a mile since at least 2001. I can't do more than about two push ups right now due to my shoulder injury. I haven't done a shuttle run since high school. I am an old and slow senior member who enjoys talking about my cadet days and eating donuts; I am injured and weak and feeling rather lazy. All the cadets in our squadron are younger, faster, and stronger than me.

My challenge to you is to keep up with me. Can the cadets in our squadron improve and do as well as an old, tired, boring senior member? Sure, a few of you can run faster and push harder than me now, but can you operate as a team in order to accomplish the goal of beating my improvement rate as a squadron? If you think you can handle such a simple task, let me know and we'll talk ways to measure it.

If you're more inclined to believe a 27 yr old injured lazy senior member can out pace you, that's fine. I can keep being lazy. I've got some new video games I want to spend some more time with. The squadron can continue having issues with PT. Or you can utilize all the advantages you have as cadets and as a team to beat me, improve PFT scores, and build a better team. Your call...

Extra bonus points if you all can get the squadron push up average above 1st Lt Carr's percentile score. Just a few months ago, she couldn't do many. Now she can do 26.