Leading a Culture of Fitness

http://www.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a542909.pdf


Leading a Culture of Fitness

Lieutenant Colonel J.D. McCune


Airplanes require proper fuel and maintenance—so do Airmen. Lack of physical fitness in the military has profound strategic implications for a nation at war. Poor fitness carries with it significant repercussions while even moderate fitness yields considerable benefits. The United States Air Force (USAF) is improving after decades of disturbing trajectories, but a force wide fitness ethos remains unrealized. Organizational culture and inertia remain the crux of the issue. USAF priorities must reflect the importance of fitness in order to finally achieve a culture of fitness. Leadership provides the example, communicates the message, supplies the incentive, and motivates the behavior that will ultimately succeed.

This SRP is submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements of the Master of Strategic Studies Degree. The views expressed in this student academic research paper are those of the author and do not reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Army, Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government