The purpose of the Fourth Class Physical Education Program is to ensure that all cadets develop a base level of physical ability, physical fitness and motor skill. The emphasis is on the cadet's development of physical capabilities, movement skills and self-confidence so that they can meet the future physical requirements of the United States Military Academy and Army. All cadets are required to pass the following core developmental courses during their Fourth Class physical education experience: PE105 Combatives I (Cadet Basic Training); PE117 Military Movements-Gymnastics; PE110-PE113 Survival Swimming; PE115 Combatives II, Self Defense I (women only); PE116 Combatives II, Boxing (men only) and Muscular Fitness Lab (MFL). In addition, cadets must participate in a competitive sport experience (intramurals, clubs, corps squad sports).

Third Class Physical Education Program

The purpose of the Third Class Physical Education Program is to enhance physical readiness, self-confidence and personal wellness. Cadets are required to pass PE205 Combatives III (Cadet Field Training); PE210 Introduction to Wellness; and PE212 Combatives IV. The Combatives emphasis during the Third Class year serves to prepare cadets for ground grappling and situational self-defense. The Introduction to Wellness course serves as an academic component of the Army's Master Fitness Trainer Program at USMA. Cadets are introduced to concepts of wellness and other health-related issues that impact health, fitness and quality of life for leaders and soldiers. The Wellness class lays the foundation for the follow-on courses (Personal Fitness and Unit Fitness) in the Master Fitness Trainer curriculum. In addition, cadets must participate in a competitive sport experience (intramurals, clubs, corps squad sports).

Second Class Physical Education Program

The purpose of the Second Class Physical Education Program is to ensure cadets continue to develop optimum levels of physical fitness and understand the principles and theories that lead to a healthy, active lifestyle. All Second Class Cadets are required to pass PE310 Personal Fitness and may elect to enroll in PE412-PE451 Lifetime Sports. The Personal Fitness course serves as the second step of the Master Fitness Trainer sequence. Cadets build upon the concepts from the Introduction to Wellness course, as they learn and apply the principles required for developing a lifetime habit of personal physical fitness. The DPE Lifetime Sports Program is designed to develop a foundation of skills, knowledge, and personal attributes, which will enable cadets to successfully participate in lifetime sports, provide motivation for continued improvement and establish a pattern of physical activity for a lifetime. Second Class cadets completing a Lifetime Sport during their Second Class year will have their first choice for a Lifetime Sport during their First Class year. All Second Class cadets must participate in a competitive sport experience (intramurals, clubs, corps squad sports). The Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) is also formally evaluated semi-annually during the Second Class year.

First Class Physical Education Program

The purpose of the First Class Physical Education Program is to enhance a cadet's physical fitness, movement and leadership skills. Cadets are required to complete PE410 Unit Fitness and PE412-PE451 Lifetime Sports. The Unit Fitness course serves as the capstone of the Master Fitness Trainer (MFT) Program at USMA. Cadets apply the knowledge gained from their Introduction to Wellness and Personal Fitness courses to soldiers within a unit setting. Unit Fitness includes the development and submission of a comprehensive Physical Development Portfolio. Enrollment in one DPE Lifetime Sport is mandatory for all First Class Cadets. The DPE Lifetime Sports Program is designed to develop a foundation of skills, knowledge, and personal attributes, which will enable cadets to successfully participate in lifetime sports, provide motivation for continued improvement and establish a pattern of physical activity for a lifetime. In addition, cadets must participate in a competitive sport experience (intramurals, clubs, corps squad sports). The Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) is also formally evaluated semi-annually during the Second Class year.