Department of Physical Education
Department of Physical Education (DPE)
 | |
| Type | Physical Education Department |
|---|---|
| Established | 1846 |
| Department Head | COL Gregory Daniels |
| Location | , |
| Nickname | The Department with a Heart" |
| Website | www.usma.edu/dpe |
The Department of Physical Education is the academic department that oversees the physical development program at the United States Military Academy at West Point, NY. DPE is headquartered in the Arvin Cadet Physical Development Center. DPE has 24 Military faculty and 25 civilian instructors and professors. The head of the department holds the ceremonial title of Master of the Sword, known within the department as the MOS. This title dates back to when the Cadets at West Point were taught swordsmanship as part of their military training, and this responsibility fell to DPE. The current Master of the Sword is COL Gregory Daniels, who has held the position since 2004.
Courses
DPE is responsible for teaching several core classes that all Cadets must take. To accomplish this, the department is organized into "committees", which each instructor specializes in. The current DPE committees are: Military Movement, Boxing, Combatives, and Swimming.[1] Each committee is responsible to teach at least one core course. The following are the core courses and the class years taught: PE117 Military Movement (taught to Plebes), PE116 Boxing - taught to plebes, PE115 Self Defense - taught to plebes, PE110 Survival Swimming - taught. In AY2009, the Combatives Comittee will begin teaching Advanced Combatives to the Firsties.