ROYAL AIR FORCE MILDENHALL, England -- “Embracing the suck together creates a different type of, ‘I see you, I’m here with you’ understanding on the team”, said Senior Airman Jade Cox, 100th Comptroller Squadron financial analyst, noting how the 100th CPTS physical training initiatives had strengthened community relationships. Cox has been a PT leader since arriving at RAF Mildenhall in the summer of 2025 and has seen the difference consistent unit PT has made in her working environment.
In the height of COVID, the 100th CPTS noticed decreasing PT scores as gym access was limited and people were advised to stay home as much as possible. The unit sought a solution in weekly mandatory PT. Around that same time, Tech. Sgt. Alexus Tejeda, 100th CPTS financial analysts supervisor, arrived at RAF Mildenhall and was heavily involved in the program from its inception. Twice a week, every week, every Airman, regardless of rank, was expected to be present for morning PT.
Tejeda showed up to mandatory training each week, even while social distancing was still enforced. Over the following five years, Tejeda saw phases of growth and development within the program and watched the program help several of her colleagues stay in the Air Force.
While serving as a Physical Training Leader, Tejeda was scoring a PT test for an Airman who had failed several PT tests in a row and knew that his final opportunity to pass was soon approaching. She, along with her leadership, showed up for this Airman, taking turns running with him in the mornings on the days squadron PT was not held. On the day of his PT test, Tejeda held the stopwatch that confirmed he had passed.
“When I saw that he had finally passed that test, I was so happy for him”, said Tejeda. “I wanted to cry.”
Experiences like these are crucial to unity in any organization, especially within the military, said Tejeda. Accomplishing meaningful and difficult tasks as a team first thing in the
morning creates a more unified, synchronized team. The goal was always to focus on their weak areas and then to exceed expectations over time. Their PT sessions always included running, even before the Air Force introduced new PT standards that included a longer run. As a unit that runs a 5k frequently, they are making plans to run a 10k as a team in the near future.
In the summer of 2023, Maj. David Lee took command of the 100th CPTS, and the already strong PT program began to flourish.
“For me, doing PT as a team is less about the exercise itself, and far more about learning to set and reach goals as a unit—fitness is just the vehicle”, said Lee. “It’s important to be present at each and every session, that way, all the Airmen experience interaction with one another and myself in a less formal setting, and so that the unit knows, expectations of attendance don’t fluctuate based on rank or position. “
In the PT sessions Lee organizes, there is no such thing as accomplishing the work out quickly in order to leave early. The squadron begins and ends morning PT as a unit.
“If you finish early, go back for the last person”, Lee said. “Modern culture tends to focus on selfishness, and we’re trying to build a culture of self-sacrifice and service on our team.”
He added that people are only motivated to show up and participate when their commander is bought in as well. He shows up for them, bright and early, and they show up for each other with their energy and determination.
When Airman Cox first started working as a PTL in 2025, she was excited to get involved in the program. She had always enjoyed physical fitness and hoped to help those in her unit improve their PT scores. Over time, her participation in the program began to produce outcomes and results beyond her original expectations.
The program originally allowed individuals to come dressed in civilian attire, but that standard changed to PT gear to improve unit cohesion. Just the mere switch to a different set of clothes made a difference in how unified their team felt. Cox began to see how the program made her teammates visible, and that merely running with someone else next to you made you more aware of who your team was, and that it was each person’s responsibility to not let anyone fall under the radar.
“Your leadership should be there to push you, but your peers should be by your side along the way”, said Cox.
Unit PT has been the vehicle for increased morale, a strengthened community, and a dedication to timeliness for the 100th CPTS. It has also allowed each squadron member to turn outward and become a member of a team rather than solely an individual. For Lee, “most things in life are a team sport”, and his team is stronger for training like one.