Fitness center boosts efforts to plan events, acquires new equipment Published April 16, 2012 By Tech. Sgt Mark R. Bell Minot Air Force Base Public Affairs MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. -- In today's Air Force, there are many roles and responsibilities Airmen must adhere to in order to uphold high standards and core values. From wearing uniforms correctly to upholding customs-and-courtesies, members show how well they can comply with those standards every day. However, certain policies are not set in stone, as change is consistent in today's military. Some of the most recent changes include the stand-up of Air Force Global Strike Command and changes to performance reports. Today's performance reports put more emphasis on a member's fitness and holds them accountable. Not adhering to today's fitness standards leads to administrative counseling and mandatory enrollment in classes at the Health and Wellness Center. Motivating and keeping Airmen engaged with physical activities and their own fitness goals falls in line with the standards the Air Force has set, and the Airmen who work at the McAdoo Sports and Fitness Center have created a barrage of events and activities to help with those fitness goals. Approximately 16 Airmen are assigned to the fitness center and this year they have established an events roster that triples the number of events from the previous year's events roster, said Tech. Sgt. Kendall Mills, 5th Force Support Squadron non-commissioned officer in charge of the fitness center. Mills smiled as he explained the brainstorming process for some of the fitness center's events. "No idea that the staff comes up with is overlooked," Mills said. "Once we start putting our tweaks to the idea we can make anything work." "We wanted to offer more things for people to do," said 1st Lt. Angelica Hayes, 5th Force Support Squadron sustainment services flight commander. Not only is Hayes the flight commander for the fitness center but she is also an avid participant of many of the events as well, having recently won the female category for a 5K race earlier this year. Getting the word out about these events proves to be its own challenge though. The fitness center recently tried to start up a dodgeball league, but had to cancel the event because they were unable to get enough participation. "We are going to try again later this year," said Hayes. She seemed a bit frustrated, but hopeful, as she explained that 50 percent of the people who filled out a local questionnaire said they were likely to participate in a dodgeball league if it was initiated. The fitness center continues to create all kinds of opportunities for an active force. A little-man slam-dunk contest and an indoor soccer league are some of the crazier ideas, Mills said. "I also just ordered about $20,000 of cross-fit equipment and some of it is already starting to trickle in," Mills said. The 'biggest loser' is one of the more popular fitness events with about 30 participants. Hayes explained it is funny to hear people talking about the program when she is in the locker room and that it's nice to see the engagement. "When we start the process of creating new events-- I tell the staff to think completely out-of-the-box," said Mills. Sometimes they will put ideas together on the board and if it works out on pen and paper, they make it happen, explained Mills. On any given day the fitness center caters to an average of 750 people, said Mills. "Our numbers peak in the winter seasons and trail off as the weather gets warmer," he said. "I really can't give a set number or a percentage, but the numbers have definitely increased as far as participation," Mills said. "Everything depends on the type of event we hold, some events target a certain audience-- but not everyone is into triathlons and decathlons." Regardless, the fitness staff will continue to do its best in hosting events, emphasizing the importance of fitness in today's military.