Curriculum

Swimming

4th class swimming tests midshipmen in the elementary backstroke, breaststroke, 5-meter tower jump, 40 foot underwater swim, as well as the 200 meter swim. 4th class swimming is a sixteen (16) week class offered in the spring.

"In order for our graduates to truly lead others in and around an aquatic environment, they need to be able to have the aquatic skills and experience to not only help themselves, but others. [Completion of] 2.5 semesters of required swim will greatly increase their chances of success in any aquatic emergency in which they are expected to lead."

-Prof. Bill Roberts, robertsw@usna.edu

Swimming

3rd class swimming tests midshipmen in the crawl stroke, abandon ship drill, 50 foot underwater swim, inflation, sidestroke, 400 meter swim, as well as the Navy third class swim test. 3rd class swimming is a sixteen (16) week class offered in the fall.

Prof. Bill Roberts, robertsw@usna.edu

Boxing

The boxing class awards midshipmen grades based on proper form, offensive and defensive techniques, fortitude, and ring craft during a competitive bout against an opponent of the same size, experience, and gender. Boxing is an eight (8) week class offered in the fall.

"Boxing is the best way to put you into an environment of controlled stress where you have to learn to think and react under fire using the skills you learned in training while remaining calm" 

-Prof. Jim McNally

Wrestling

Wrestling participants are awarded grades based upon their ability to execute skills such as; take-downs, rides, escapes, reversals, and pinning combinations during a live wrestling match. Opponents are categorized by gender and body weight. Wrestling is an eight (8) week class offered in the fall.

" Wrestling provides Midshipmen with the knowledge and skill necessary to defend themselves from and neutralize a threat. Live wrestling [in class] is conducted in a safe environment which promotes a fighting and winning spirit. A well rounded wrestler must challenge themselves to learn, adapt and overcome."

-Prof. Lloyd Rogers

Swimming

2nd class swimming is an eight (8) week class dedicated to teaching midshipmen the skills necessary to pass the thirty (30) minute swim test in khakis. 2nd class swimming is offered in the fall.

Prof. Bill Roberts, robertsw@usna.edu

PE Remediation

This course is for midshipmen who have outstanding P.E requirements in swimming, wrestling, martial arts, and boxing. Those who have passed their P.E. requirements will have a free block. P.E. remediation is an eight (8) week class offered in the fall.

Prof. Michael Schwob, schwob@usna.edu

Martial Arts

The Martial Arts course is an application of Marine Corps & Mixed Martial Arts ground fighting techniques. Martial Arts is a sixteen (16) week class offered in the spring. 

"[Martial Arts will] instill upon the midshipmen the basic concepts of personal defense, fear management, and situational awareness. All three concepts directly contribute towards the desirable qualities of a professional and competent officer in the Navy and Marine Corps."

-Prof. Mark Goers, goers@usna.edu

Electives

Midshipmen have the opportunity to acquire skills in lifetime sport activities. The physical education department offers seventeen (17) electives including:

• Advanced Boxing
  • Review and expand upon skills learned in Plebe Boxing
    • Prof. Blake Baldi, baldi@usna.edu
• Introduction to Climbing
  • Techniques for navigating vertical terrain, top rope climbing, introduction to belaying/rappelling/rope systems (hitches & knots)
    • Instr. Rory Quiller, quiller@usna.edu
• Advanced Climbing
  
  • Sport climbing/belaying, anchor systems, and introduction to climbing rescues
    • Instr. Rory Quiller, quiller@usna.edu
• Fitness Testing & Assessment
  • Expands upon Personal Conditioning I, learn basic principles of effective exercise programming and testing/assessments
    •  Dr. Wally Bixby, bixby@usna.edu
• First Aid
  • Knowledge & procedures of basic first aid and injury care 
    • Instr. Joe English, jenglish@usna.edu
• Golf
  • Introduce rules, knowledge, etiquette, and skills associated with beginner golf
    • Prof. Rich Miranda, miranda@usna.edu
• Kayaking
  • Learn basic safety, gear, and techniques of sea and whitewater kayaking
    • Prof. Carla Criste, criste@usna.edu
• Gymnastics
  • Progressively build strength, flexibility, and basic gymnastic ability on floor exercise and men's and women's apparatus
    • Prof. Craig Holt, holt@usna.edu
• Marine Corps Martial Arts
  • Follows MCMAP curriculum, successful completion results in Marine Corps belt certification
    
    • Maj Carter Reading, creading@usna.edu
• Advanced Marine Corps Martial Arts
  • Follows MCMAP curriculum with more advanced techniques and belt certifications
    • Maj Carter Reading, creading@usna.edu
• Pickleball
  • Develop knowledge and skill to play pickleball, including rules, strategies, and court positioning for multiple game formats
    • Prof. Rich Miranda, miranda@usna.edu
• Squash
  • Teaches basic understanding of rules, strokes, tactics, and conditioning value of squash
    • Prof. Rich Miranda, miranda@usna.edu
• Swim Conditioning
  • Enhance physical fitness and capabilities in the water beyond the required USNA swim curriculum
    • Prof. Mark Liscinsky, liscinsk@usna.edu
• Tennis
  • Learn forehand, backhand, serve, volley, approach shot, lob, drop shot, return of serve, overhead, and singles/doubles play
    • Prof. John Officer, jco@usna.edu
• Triathlon
  • Introduction to triathlon training and racing
• Volleyball
  • Gain knowledge of fundamental skills of team volleyball
    • Prof. Michael Schwob, schwob@usna.edu
• Weight Lifting
  • Effectively perform Olympic lifts and provide instruction/guidance for individual fitness goals
    • Prof. Cliff Dooman, dooman@usna.edu