Civilians authorized participation in fitness, wellness programs

  • Published
  • By Mark Wyatt
  • 66th Air Base Group Public Affairs
HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. --  Members of the Department of Defense civilian workforce here are able to participate in the Air Force Materiel Command fitness and wellness initiative that permits up to three hours each week of voluntary physical fitness or participation in wellness programs.

Interested employees must first initiate a request to their first-level supervisor containing the appropriate approval from their primary care provider certifying there are no limiting physical conditions. The request form is not necessary for participation solely in wellness activities, but is required for participation in fitness activities.

Kathy Owens, chief of the 66 FSS Employee and Labor Relations office, said the parameters for participation are very clear and can be found in the recently negotiated Air Force Instruction 36-815, Chapter 10, "Absence and Leave," as well as negotiated bargaining agreements that can be found on the HanscomNet under the Quick Links section.

"Fitness activities suitable for excused absence should address cardiovascular and aerobic strength, strength endurance, flexibility and body conditioning," she said. "Wellness program activities offered on Hanscom include, but are not limited to, annual health assessments, health education classes for nutrition, exercise, stress and weight management, and tobacco cessation."

According to the World Health Organization's website, adults ages 18 to 64 should participate in at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic physical activity or 75 minutes of vigorous-intensity aerobic physical activity throughout the week -- or an equivalent combination of moderate- and vigorous-intensity activity.

For Hanscom's full and part-time civilian employees, this can be done easily by actively participating in the Air Force Materiel Command civilian fitness and wellness initiatives. Owens recommends that those interested use one hour minimum to 1 ½ hour maximum per session each week.

According to the negotiated bargaining agreement, on base facilities may be utilized. However, alternative arrangements may be worked at the local level for employees located off the installation.

Fitness and wellness activities can be combined with authorized breaks or in conjunction with regularly scheduled lunch breaks. Specific times for participation may be dictated by mission requirements.

Unused time cannot be banked and carried over to the next week.

Additional information regarding participation in physical fitness activities can be found in AFI 36-815 and the Hanscom negotiated bargaining agreements. 

For questions related to the guidance mentioned above, please contact the Employee Relations office at 781-225-1401.