Utah Air National Guard EOD Flight First to Launch New Career-Specific Fitness Test Published Aug. 6, 2025 By MSgt Nicholas Perez 151 Wing Roland R Wright ANG Base, Utah - This past weekend, the 151st Civil Engineer Squadron's Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Flight became one of the first in the Utah Air National Guard to officially conduct the newly implemented Occupationally Specific Physical Fitness Assessment (OSPFA), a milestone moment that reflects a nationwide shift toward career-specific fitness standards in the U.S. Air Force. The OSPFA, now mandatory across the Total Force for all EOD personnel, replaces the general Air Force fitness assessment with a test designed to mirror the physical demands of the EOD mission set. Developed over several years with input from operational EOD teams, the test measures job-relevant strength, endurance, power, and functional agility, elements critical to safely executing the high-risk tasks associated with disarming explosives and maneuvering in protective equipment. "This feels a lot more applicable to what we do in the field," said Senior Airman Ryan Bigham, an EOD technician with the 151st CES and the first Airman in the unit to complete the new test. "We've been working on this for the last couple of years, trying to get the right components approved. The weighted vest, the sandbag carry, the trap bar deadlift, those are movements we train and operate with. It just makes more sense for us than sit-ups and push-ups." The OSPFA comprises four components: a trap bar deadlift (measuring lower-body strength), a 1,000-meter row (for cardiorespiratory endurance), a medicine ball toss (for explosive power), and the gruseter, a grueling combination of weighted sprints, sandbags, and agility movements performed in a 30-lb vest. Each component is scored on a 1–5 scale, with a minimum of 1 point required in each area to pass. Scores are categorized as Marginal (4–7), Satisfactory (8–15), or Excellent (16+), but EOD members must maintain at least a "Satisfactory" score annually to remain current. A passing OSPFA score also exempts members from the traditional Air Force Physical Fitness Assessment. "The phased implementation began August 1, and we're tracking everyone's requirements based on when their last PT test was due," said Master Sgt. Derrin Creek, EOD Flight Chief. "Some of our folks will test this month, some in October or January. It's going to take flexibility on the drill-status side, but this is the direction we've been preparing for." For over a year, many EOD Airmen had fitness waivers while the Air Force finalized and validated the new test, but those exemptions have now expired. For Guard members, scheduling the assessment during Unit Training Assemblies will require deliberate planning, given the need for trained administrators and available equipment. Two certified Physical Training Leaders (PTLs) must be present for each assessment, and every component must be completed on the same day. According to AFMAN 36-2930, which governs the new standard, the OSPFA is not adjusted for age or gender. It exists to ensure all EOD-qualified members possess the strength and stamina to safely operate in extreme conditions, wearing bomb suits, dragging robots, and transporting explosive materials under duress. "Recruits will face this standard from the start," Creek said. "Once they get to Naval School EOD in Florida, they'll be introduced to the OSPFA format. But they already have to pass a PAST test to even qualify for training, so they're coming in with a baseline of fitness." He emphasized that while prospective Airmen shouldn't attempt OSPFA-style training without supervision, they should arrive in excellent physical shape. "A solid fitness foundation is essential," Creek said. "But once they're in, that's when they start learning how to perform the job—and train their body to match it." More than just a test, the OSPFA is a cultural shift. It aligns with broader Department of Defense priorities to tailor fitness standards to mission readiness. For EOD, where seconds count and physical failure can mean catastrophic consequences, the new standard is not just welcome—it's essential. "This is a good first step," said Creek. "It highlights the kind of work we do and the higher demands of our career field. And I wouldn't be surprised if we see more career fields adopting similar tests in the future. The mission requires us to be ready." As the Utah Air National Guard's EOD Flight leads the way in this transition, it underscores what has always defined the Airmen behind the blast suit: technical precision, physical resilience, and an unshakable commitment to keeping others safe, no matter the weight they must carry.