(This was sent to all IMAs and PIRRs 23 Dec 2025. If you did not receive it in your personal email, please log in to the vMPF and make sure you have a good personal email in that system.)

RIO Buzz                                                                                Vol 109

IRs,

Happy New Year from the HQ RIO team. As we begin 2026, we appreciate your continued professionalism and flexibility as we work through several updates and transitions. Please review the information below for important reminders and guidance.

PT Testing Update

(Per HQ AFRC/A1KK)

• All ARC Airmen will test once per year under updated Physical Fitness Assessment (PFA) standards (implementation guidance & updated DAFMAN 36-2905 release pending).
• Test components will include:
• 2-mile run or HAMR
• Push-ups: 1-minute traditional or 2-minute hand-release
• Core: 1-minute sit-ups, 2-minute cross-leg reverse crunch, or timed plank
• Waist-to-height measurement (scored component)
• Minimum and excellent score thresholds will increase.
• Commanders are expected to allow duty time for PT; fitness centers are expected to support flexible access.
• Fitness Assessment scores will populate:
• OPBs beginning with the Col SCOD (28 Feb) – Updated form release pending
• EPBs beginning with the CMSgt SCOD (31 May) – Updated form release pending

Transition Guidance

• RegAF PFAs are paused effective 1 January 2026.
• Due to government shutdown impacts, non-current AFR Airmen may test under legacy PFA standards through 28 February 2026.
• Active Duty Fitness Assessment Cells (FACs), while paused, can still administer tests for members who are non-current.
• Airmen with an Unsatisfactory PFA as of 31 Dec 2025 will continue testing under legacy standards on their due dates.
• Airmen not current as of 1 January 2026 must complete a scored assessment under legacy standards as soon as possible and no later than 28 February 2026. (If an Airman fails this test, they fall under the Unsatisfactory category above.)
• Additional transitional guidance applies for Airmen with performance report closeout dates between 28 February and 31 May 2026.

We recognize there are additional questions regarding implementation and applicability, and we are awaiting further guidance.

Retirements Update – New POC - TSgt Michael V. Penaso

HQ RIO has designated a new point of contact for retirement applications. Effective immediately, all new retirement applications should be routed to TSgt Michael V. Penaso at michael.penaso@us.af.mil. If you have already submitted a retirement application, no further action is required. Please do not reroute previously submitted packages. Your application will continue to be processed, and you will be contacted directly if any issues arise.

For instructions and/or more information on how to submit a Retirement or the IR Retirements checklist, please visit: https://www.hqrio.afrc.af.mil/Career-Management/Retirement/

New Process for Urgent myFSS Requests

If you have an urgent request requiring action within three business days, please submit a myFSS case under “AFR IMA HQ RIO REQUEST.” In the body of the request, clearly state “Urgent.” Requests must meet one of the following urgent categories:

• Pay and/or benefits affecting issues
• Travel within three business days with DTS authorization not yet approved
• Orders starting within three business days and the 938 is not certified in AROWS-R
• Order modification not processed within 14 business days and required for a DTS voucher or continuation of pay & entitlements
• AD Commander case submissions
• Mobilization Assistant (MA) case submissions

Some members have also experienced issues commenting on open or closed myFSS cases. If you are unable to comment on an existing case, please create a new case, explain why you could not update the original, and include the previous case number.

IR All Call Reminder

HQ RIO will host a virtual IR All Call on 30 January at 1400 MT. The All Call will provide updates related to the expiration of the current Continuing Resolution (CR) on that date, as well as other topics of interest to IRs.

Additional information is available at: https://www.hqrio.afrc.af.mil/Guidance-Updates/Article/4357667/hq-rio-to-host-virtual-ir-all-call-on-jan-30-at-2-pm-mt/

v/r,

HQ RIO