PT savior

  • Published
  • By Senior Airman Robert Hicks
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas --  As the Chinese proverb states, "Give a man a fish; you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish; you feed him for a lifetime." This is the philosophy of Master Sgt. Ashley Aikin, 317th Airlift Group safety, whose efforts are changing the lives of Dyess airmen.

Six airmen on the verge of ending their careers prematurely because of physical training scores turned to Aikin, who vowed to change their lifestyles.

"I wanted to change their life to the point where they didn't have to worry about their next PT test," Aikin said. "I was always worried about my next test; finally I got fed up and tired of waiting a month before my next test to start training. I wanted to be able to test at anytime."

During a four month deployment, Aikin lost 60 pounds and improved his push-ups, sit-ups and run time.

He explained when he returned and everyone saw his results, they wanted help doing the same thing. It was like a chain reaction.

Some days Aikin spends more than three hours at the gym working with his pupils to ensure they get the workout they need to succeed.

"I think he puts so much effort into people because of one simple fact, he cares," said Capt. Earl Arnold, 317th AG safety chief. "He simply helps where he can and watches the effects of his hard work unfold."

"The exercises we do depend on what they need to work on," Aikin said. "We do weight training, sprints, several abdominal workouts and most importantly stretching."

In extreme cases, the savior goes into their homes and replaces the junk food they have with a healthier alternative. He also teaches them how to cook different kinds of meals.

The participants take a PT test each week and Aikin inputs their progress in an app called Dayta, which allows him to monitor their abdominal circumference, push-ups, sit-ups and run time.

"I really don't think he does it for any other reason than someone asked for his help," said Tech. Sgt. Amber King, 317th AG safety. "They asked for help, he saw they needed the extra guidance and again, he will help out anyone. But they have to be willing to put in the work and help themselves too. It's just the right thing to do; to look out for each other."

Aikin did just that, all six of the airmen passed their PT test and continued their careers in the Air Force.

The Dyess Fitness Center provides airmen with a variety of classes including step, yoga and water aerobics for those interested in improving their physical fitness.

Not only are physical fitness classes available, the Dyess Health and Wellness Center located in the fitness center provides classes for nutrition, stress management, cholesterol education and more.

For more information about available classes, logon to http://www.dyessfss.com/fitness-center.html or call the HAWC at (325) 696-4140.