May 10, 2009 Fort Rucker security unhappy about physical fitness test www.privateofficer.com
Dothan AL May 10 2009
Dothaneagle.com
The company which contracts the security officers at Fort Rucker recently changed and as a result the 130-plus officers will have to take an unexpected physical fitness test.
Retired Command Sgt. Major Johnny Oliver, who works security at Fort Rucker, said the officers did not know they would have to take the test before the end of May until a few weeks ago. Oliver, who serves as the local union representative for United Government Securities Officers of America, said Fort Rucker officials sent out a letter in October to the officers, who work at the gates of the post, saying a new version of the physical exam would be required, but they did not say when.
“There’s no consideration for age, sex, or disability for the PT test,” Oliver said. “I’m not worried about it myself, but we have a lot of guards that if they had until October, they might pass. There’s no consideration for how this will affect people’s lives.”
Oliver said the security force normally takes the physical fitness test each year in October, giving them plenty of time to prepare. He said the last-minute notice and the updated, more strict test will likely cause 40 to 50 percent of the current security force to fail the exam, possibly losing their job.
Ryszard Zurek, another union representative, said the age range of the security force at Fort Rucker varies from 22 to 65, and includes about 20 to 30 percent who are military veterans.
“The government is not taking into consideration the age disparity,” Zurek said. “We’ve got to remember these people are not first responders.”
Zurek said the security officers have been told since a new company has been contracted they have to take the physical fitness test again after they already took one in October 2008. He said some of the requirements of the new physical fitness test include running 1.5 miles in 17 minutes and 30 seconds, 22 pushups in two minutes and 29 situps in two minutes. He said they will also be required to sprint 300 meters in 81 seconds. Previously, he said the older security officers would get more time to perform each of the physical fitness requirement.
“What we’re looking for is ample time to go ahead and practice, and secondly give us some age requirements,” Zurek said. “Otherwise what they’re looking for is people who are 25, blond, blue eyed and in top physical shape, and that’s just not going to happen.”
Lisa Eichorn, the public information officer for Fort Rucker, said any dispute the security officers may have is between them and their employer, Santa Fe Protective Services, which was recently awarded the security contract at the post by the government.
But Oliver disagreed and said it’s a dispute between the security officers and the contracting office on Fort Rucker.
Butch Makie, the owner of Santa Fe Protective Services, said he’s been told by officials at Fort Rucker the security officers have known about the physical fitness test for a year. Makie said that according to the contract they entered with Fort Rucker, the officers will have to take the physical fitness test by the end of May.
“This has been going on across the country as security levels have been increased,” Makie said. “I imagine if they can’t pass, if we’re forced to release them, we’ll hire other people from the local area.”
Dothaneagle.com
The company which contracts the security officers at Fort Rucker recently changed and as a result the 130-plus officers will have to take an unexpected physical fitness test.
Retired Command Sgt. Major Johnny Oliver, who works security at Fort Rucker, said the officers did not know they would have to take the test before the end of May until a few weeks ago. Oliver, who serves as the local union representative for United Government Securities Officers of America, said Fort Rucker officials sent out a letter in October to the officers, who work at the gates of the post, saying a new version of the physical exam would be required, but they did not say when.
“There’s no consideration for age, sex, or disability for the PT test,” Oliver said. “I’m not worried about it myself, but we have a lot of guards that if they had until October, they might pass. There’s no consideration for how this will affect people’s lives.”
Oliver said the security force normally takes the physical fitness test each year in October, giving them plenty of time to prepare. He said the last-minute notice and the updated, more strict test will likely cause 40 to 50 percent of the current security force to fail the exam, possibly losing their job.
Ryszard Zurek, another union representative, said the age range of the security force at Fort Rucker varies from 22 to 65, and includes about 20 to 30 percent who are military veterans.
“The government is not taking into consideration the age disparity,” Zurek said. “We’ve got to remember these people are not first responders.”
Zurek said the security officers have been told since a new company has been contracted they have to take the physical fitness test again after they already took one in October 2008. He said some of the requirements of the new physical fitness test include running 1.5 miles in 17 minutes and 30 seconds, 22 pushups in two minutes and 29 situps in two minutes. He said they will also be required to sprint 300 meters in 81 seconds. Previously, he said the older security officers would get more time to perform each of the physical fitness requirement.
“What we’re looking for is ample time to go ahead and practice, and secondly give us some age requirements,” Zurek said. “Otherwise what they’re looking for is people who are 25, blond, blue eyed and in top physical shape, and that’s just not going to happen.”
Lisa Eichorn, the public information officer for Fort Rucker, said any dispute the security officers may have is between them and their employer, Santa Fe Protective Services, which was recently awarded the security contract at the post by the government.
But Oliver disagreed and said it’s a dispute between the security officers and the contracting office on Fort Rucker.
Butch Makie, the owner of Santa Fe Protective Services, said he’s been told by officials at Fort Rucker the security officers have known about the physical fitness test for a year. Makie said that according to the contract they entered with Fort Rucker, the officers will have to take the physical fitness test by the end of May.
“This has been going on across the country as security levels have been increased,” Makie said. “I imagine if they can’t pass, if we’re forced to release them, we’ll hire other people from the local area.”
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