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36 OG staff 360s to 90

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Marianique Santos
  • 36th Wing Public Affairs
When one technical sergeant had a couple of days left before his permanent change of station, he received a challenge that he couldn't refuse.

Before Tech. Sgt. Kenner Sagorsor, 36th Operations Group resource adviser, got his orders for his next assignment, he received a challenge from Col. Randy Kaufman, 36th OG commander, to finish a three-month fitness program in 15 days.

"I'm about to PCS and our secretary is egging us to finish the 360 challenge in 15 days," said Sergeant Sagorsor. "The commander finished it in 30 days before, so he was thinking that it could be done in 10, but we stuck with 15. This time around, he finished in eight days and I finished it in 14."

The 36th OG's 360 challenge is comprised of three physical fitness activities: running, swimming and cycling. Each activity has 60 check-mark boxes that represent a distance that the participant needs to accomplish in order to track their progress.

"It has three 60s, which is why we call it the 360 challenge," said Colonel Kaufman. "The name is also to pay tribute to the 36th Wing."

Challengers initially had to run 60 miles, bike 60 miles and swim 360 laps in the pool in order to complete the challenge. Each check box may either represent running one mile, cycling one mile or swimming six laps. The participants have up to three months to finish their 360 goal.

"We've recently changed the biking from 60 miles to 120 miles because I thought the staff could use more of a challenge," said Colonel Kaufman.

The previous group commander started the program, but Colonel Kaufman continues to improve the program and motivate his staff.

"I think the program is outstanding," said Sergeant Sagorsor. "It calls forth the staff's competitive nature, which it brings out the best in you. It helps in your physical training tests and being a healthy Airman in general."

Aside from the fitness benefits, staff members can also win prizes for finishing the challenge. First-time finishers receive a shirt with the 360 challenge logo and work their way up to four consecutive finishes to get a gym bag, receiving a different quarterly award along the way.

"We added small prizes to make it a little more interesting for those who want to participate," said Colonel Kaufman. "I wanted to find a way to incentivize it for everybody in the staff. Since we started giving these small prizes, we've seen the success rate go from 10 percent to about 90 percent."

According to the 36th OG staff, along with purchasing the prizes himself, Colonel Kaufman sets the standards by participating in the challenge and holding the record for finishing the challenge in eight days.

"The colonel shows great leadership; he leads by example," said Sergeant Sagorsor. "He worked hard to finish the challenge in record time, and set the standard to what everyone should aspire to do."

With physical fitness being a huge part of Airmen's lives, along with the 36th Wing's goal of getting 90 percent of the Airmen on base at 90 or above on their fitness tests, the 36th OG staff leads the way in getting creative for a healthy cause.

"Fitness is very important to the Air Force, our own personal readiness and our mental wellbeing," said Colonel Kaufman. "90 at 90 is where this wing wants to go, and the Operations Group plans to be the first group to get there."