Engine mechanic by day; body builder for life Published March 6, 2014 By Staff Sgt. Rachelle Blake 325th Fighter Wing Public Affairs TYNDALL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- At 6-feet 2-inches tall, a 245-pound male with a BMI of 31.5, is considered obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, But for one 14-year Airman and Pensacola, Fla., native, these standards couldn't be further from the truth. Master Sgt. Randy Aiken, 325th Maintenance Squadron test cell section chief, joined the Air Force at 19 year old, after attending several years of college perusing a pre-medical degree. "I joined the Air Force because I wanted something different," said Aikens. "I was in college and had never been anywhere other than my own little area. I wanted to get away and see the world." In his younger years, he participated in several sports, but it wasn't until entering the service, that he found his true passion. "I did play football and ran track and field in high school, but fitness wasn't a hobby until I joined the Air Force," said Aikens. "Over the past 10 years, I have become pretty serious about it and in the past six years, I have been a personal trainer as well. Training is really why I do what I do. I like holding people accountable, which in turn forces me to be held accountable." He said he finds personal training to be the most rewarding feeling in the world. "It is like training someone in the military," said Aiken. "You take this new Airman who knows nothing about the job or the service, and two years later you see them become a Senior Airmen. Concentrate that into training, and it takes six months instead of years. You see someone go from nothing, as far as their knowledge and ability, to this completely different person. It really changes their confidence level and quality of life." For his Airmen brethren, he finds fitness to be one of the most vital aspects of the Air Force lifestyle. "I think fitness is important in the military because it keeps us healthy and without being healthy you can't do your job, you can't make good decisions," said Aikens. "It is the backbone of what we do and I really like where the service is going now; there is much more emphasis on fitness." His drive is noticed by all who work with him. "Sergeant Aikiens is my go-to-guy," said Senior Master Sgt. Sean Brooks, 325th MXS propulsion flight chief, and Los Angeles native. "He is dependable, reliable Senior NCO and great mentor to the Airmen and NCOs in our shop. They all look up to him and I am very fortunate to have him working for me." Some have even trained alongside him. "I commend him for doing something he truly enjoys; most of us cannot say that," said Brooks. "I've trained with Aikens quite a few times; I am always learning something from him. His workouts can be brutal, but fun at the same time. We never do the same workout; he always switches things up, keeping the body guessing what's next." Eventually, those around him in the training world drove him to take his passion to the next level. "Everyone would say 'you are a big guy, you should do competitions,' and last year I did it and I haven't looked back since," said Aikens. At the end of 2012, he competed in the 2013 Panhandle Showdown in Pensacola and won first place in the novice heavy weight division, novice overall, and fifth in the open heavyweight division. Since then, he has even picked up sponsorships. He said he couldn't have done it without his support team. "Body building is unique because it is an individual sport," said Aiken. "It seems like it is really narcissistic, but realistically it took a lot of people to get me to this stage. The team and teamwork is what really pushed me. Many people supported me and I didn't even know I had that much support; it was eye opening." To maintain his body, Aikens balances nutrition and working out. "I work out six days a week and four of those days, I work out twice," said Aikens. "Six workouts are strength training and the other four are cardio. The cardio is usually around 30 to 45 minutes and the strength training is usually an hour." Although he dedicates a huge amount of time to the gym compared to most, he said getting fit is easy. "Nike has the best slogan in the world," said Aiken. "You may not know what to do, but you need to do something, so just get up and do it; just do it. Along that process, you go from sitting on the couch, to getting up and walking. Then, as you start to get better, it is time to start looking for help and that is why people like me exist." When Aikens retires from the military, he hopes to take his body building even further. "Eventually, I would like to see how far I can take body building, but it probably won't be until I separate from the Air Force and can focus on it," said Aiken. "While I am in, I will go as far as I can, while still being able to do what I need to do for Uncle Sam." But for now, his next goal is to showcase the sport to Tyndall. "I'm helping to bring my sport to the base," said Aiken. "We will be holding the first ever Checkertail Classic Body Building show in April." For more information on the competition contact Sly Ajaye at (850) 217-4076.