DPE faculty photo in 2022 taken at the entrance of Arvin Gym.

Department of Physical Education

"Set the Standard...Maintain the Standard"

Mission

To educate, train, and inspire the Corps by challenging each cadet in activities that promote holistic health and optimal physical performance, commissioning physically fit and mentally tough leaders of character.

Vision

Cultivate a culture of physical fitness excellence.

Kinesiology Major

2-mile start of the Department of Physical Education's Army Combat Fitness Test.

Staff & Faculty

Cadets foot marching during Cadet Basic Training

New Cadets - CBT Preparation

Department of Physical Education instructor at Daly Field

Prospective Faculty - Apply to Join

Physical Program

The Physical Program focuses on the physically demanding requirements of an Army Officer. The program develops the ability to maintain personal and unit fitness, fosters the Warrior Ethos, builds appreciation for teamwork & inspires the will to win.

Curriculum. The program has a four-year curriculum which includes boxing, military movement, survival swimming & combat applications.

Fitness Testing. Fitness tests are administered regularly, which include the Army Combat Fitness Test (ACFT) and the Indoor Obstacle Course Test (IOCT).

Competitive Sports. All Cadets are required to participate in the Competitive Sports program during each academic term. The program consists of three categories of competition: Company Athletics (CA), Competitive Club Athletics (CCA), and Corps Squad (intercollegiate) Athletics. The rigorous and iterative nature of competitive sports at West Point not only requires that “Every Cadet is an athlete,” but also that “Every Cadet is challenged.”

Cadet Summer Training. The Physical Program includes an intense and progressive summer Physical Readiness Training (PRT) Program. This program is designed to prepare Cadets for the physical demands of military service. Summer training provides each cadet repeated opportunities to apply principles learned during the academic year’s physical education curriculum.

Competitive Sports Program

All Cadets are required to participate in the Competitive Sports program during each academic term. The program consists of three categories of competition: Company Athletics (CA), Competitive Club Athletics (CCA), and Corps Squad (intercollegiate) Athletics. The rigorous and iterative nature of competitive sports at West Point not only requires that “Every Cadet is an athlete,” but also that “Every Cadet is challenged.”

Company Athletics offers 11 sports between the Fall and Spring seasons with over 2,800 Cadet-athlete participants. Fall sports often include Basketball, Flag Football, Soccer, Foundations of Fitness, Functional Fitness, and Submission Grappling. Spring sports often include Flickerball, Ultimate Frisbee, Team Handball, Orienteering, Foundations of Fitness and Submission Grappling. Select Cadets are also authorized to complete the fall and spring term competitive sport requirement through participation in Sandhurst.

Competitive Club Athletics consists of 16 competitive teams with over 500 Cadet-athlete participants. DPE is the sponsoring organization for the Competitive Club Athletics Program, and the Directorate of Cadet Activities (DCA) is responsible for providing administrative and financial support.

Corps Squad Athletics consists of 28 NCAA teams. The Office of the Director of Intercollegiate Athletics (ODIA) has responsibility for the conduct of the Corps Squad Athletics Program.