OVERARCHING GOAL:

Graduates are warrior leaders of character who are physically fit, mentally strong, and prepared to confront the physical challenges inherent in world-wide military operations and the duties required of a commissioned officer in the U.S. Army

Rationale and Amplification

The requirements of Officership are inherently physical, and necessitate 21st century leaders who possess the physical and mental courage needed to meet the diverse challenges of leading soldiers in today’s dynamic and fluid environment.   Leaders must be physically ready and capable of leading from the front at all times. To that end, successful leaders must confront challenges, overcome fear, negotiate obstacles to victory, and demonstrate an enduring will to win. 

In addition to role-modeling high levels of physical fitness and an unyielding mental toughness, Army officers must live an active and healthy lifestyle for their Soldiers to emulate.  Achieving personal and professional balance as well as successfully overcoming adversity are the hallmarks of successful leaders, and contribute immeasurably to mission accomplishment.

The Physical Domain exposes developing leaders to challenges that demand physical and mental toughness, and offers these emerging leaders an opportunity to learn the principles, develop the skills, and adopt the behaviors necessary to ensure the physical readiness of themselves and their Soldiers.

What Graduates Can Do

Graduates understand the scientific theory of physical fitness development, and apply fitness and wellness principals to plan, organize, execute, and assess scientifically based personal and unit fitness programs.  Graduates develop and maintain high levels of the health-related components of physical fitness: muscular strength and endurance, cardiovascular endurance, flexibility, and body composition.  Equally important, graduates are capable of applying the skill-related components of physical fitness, which include agility, balance, coordination, power, and speed to meet the demands of leadership and military service.  The Academy implements the Physical Domain by providing cadets with formal education, competitive sport opportunities, physical fitness testing, wellness instruction, and consistent evaluation and feedback.  Through this broad spectrum of developmental experiences, graduates emerge as warrior leaders of character who are physically fit, mentally tough, and fully prepared to lead Soldiers from the front.

Physical Domain Outcome Goals 

Graduates who:

1. Demonstrate the knowledge, skills and abilities to promote and maintain personal and unit fitness for themselves and their Soldiers
   
   
   • Maintain and improve their personal fitness level
   • Apply and promote fitness principles to plan, organize, and execute scientifically based personal and unit fitness programs
   • Adapt fitness programs for special populations and extreme conditions (cold, heat, elevation…etc.)
   • Evaluate and assess personal and military fitness programs, activities, and training
   • Lead by example and be a physical role model for Soldiers
   
   
2. Demonstrate the courage needed to accomplish challenging physical tasks
   
   
   • Demonstrate the combative's skills necessary to survive in close combat
   • Demonstrate necessary fundamental skills to survive in theater-specific aquatic, urban, and field environments
   
   
3. Demonstrate a personal and professional commitment to participation in sports and physical activity
   
   
   • Demonstrate skills and knowledge of recreational and competitive activities to promote lifetime participation
   • Demonstrate proficiency in a wide range of movement skills with a focus on military applications
   
   
4. Live a balanced and healthy lifestyle
   
   
   • Demonstrate appropriate time management techniques
   • Execute a personal and proactive wellness plan
   • Meet the Army’s body composition standards
   
   
5. Recognize the impact of adversity and implement measures to reduce stress
   
   
   • Successfully apply, maintain, and evaluate physical, professional, personal, and social management of stress techniques for themselves and their Soldiers
   • Implement activities and programs that enhance stress hardiness and the resiliency of their Soldiers
   • Recognize and manage the physical and mental manifestations of fear
   • Perform duties under stress