Giving a 'whoopin' to Father Time

Published Feb. 14, 2006
By Senior Airman Shaun Emery
88th Air Base Wing Public Affairs

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio, (AFMCNS) -- Achieving a goal he set out to accomplish two years ago, Lt. Col. Gary Hopper, 88th Mission Support Group deputy commander, scored a 100 percent on his Air Force fitness test. What made the achievement more impressive was what his scores were for the under-25 age group.

Colonel Hopper will turn 51 this month. But, with hard work and the determination to reach his goal, the colonel showed that age is only a state of mind. He tried to hit his goal last year while at Cannon Air Force Base, N.M., but failed. He said he trained hard but found it wasn't enough. This year he shed 10 pounds and upped his interval training significantly.

"This venture was personal, but certainly not out of the ordinary," said Colonel Hopper. "There are little goals to chase around every corner. After failing last year, it was time to turn up the heat and test my ability to focus."

While he can claim to be in better shape than many Airmen half his age, the test score wasn't the most important part of the challenge. The colonel said being in good shape allowed him to meet his personal goals.

"There are a lot of reasons for fitness, just take your pick," he said. "I definitely have more than one. The top three for me are having the ability to defend my family and home, to be able to train and compete in sports along side my son, and, of course, to lead men and women in the Air Force."

Colonel Hopper takes his training seriously. He understands the importance of strength training, but explains that many people overlook overall conditioning. He also said that training is not an easy task, taking will and determination.

"To hit this score was difficult, and it was not about athleticism for sure," he said. "On an average day, I am at best a "C" athlete. My feet are pretty flat, I'm bowlegged, and my hips, knees and shoulders are failing.

"It does not matter what shape you're in, what injuries plague you or what your schedule is. Find time for yourself, for your life, your health. Squeeze in a few minutes each day or every other day. Break the training into small periods over the course of the day. It all adds up. But only good training adds up to good conditioning."

In battle, the first few minutes are critical, the colonel said. The ability to act in stressful situations could mean the difference.

"If you find yourself in a significant emotional event like a firefight, the first couple of minutes may depend on the high end anaerobic capacity and fast twitch muscles," he said. "Then, it may be time to scramble out of the area for a long haul."

With time catching up to him, Colonel Hopper said he is taking the steps he knows will ensure he is fit to fight.

"Old age ain't for sissies," he said. "You better get up and move with a purpose or Mother Nature and Father Time are going to whoop your butt."

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio (AFMCNS)