Curriculum

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, [email protected]

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, [email protected]

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, [email protected]

Personal Conditioning I

Midshipmen will learn lifelong habits of physical education, develop a personal fitness plan that is adaptable to any environment, as well as understanding the key elements of nutrition. Personal Conditioning is a sixteen (16) week class offered in the spring.

"The pillars of cardiovascular endurance, strength, and mobility will serve as a foundation as Midshipmen gain an appreciation for human physiology, nutrition and exercise science. By the end of the course, Midshipmen [will] ultimately optimize their own performance and that of the men and women they will lead in the Navy and Marine Corps."

-Prof. Carla Criste, [email protected] 

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, [email protected]

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, [email protected]

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, [email protected]

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. Jim McNally, [email protected]
• Introduction to Climbing
  • Basic techniques of rock climbing, top rope belay and tie-in, use of basic safety equipment and knots and hitches
    • Instr. Rory Quiller, [email protected]
• Advanced Climbing
  
  • Acclimate students with lead climbing/belaying, top rope anchor principles, and belay take-over and rescues
    • Instr. Rory Quiller, [email protected]
• Fitness Testing & Assessment
  • Expands upon Personal Conditioning I, learn basic principles of effective exercise programming and testing/assessments
    •  
• First Aid
  • Knowledge & procedures of basic first aid and injury care 
    • Instr. Joe English, [email protected]
• Golf
  • Introduce rules, knowledge, etiquette, and skills associated with beginner golf
    • Prof. Rich Miranda, [email protected]
• Kayaking
  • Learn basic safety, gear, and techniques of sea and whitewater kayaking
    • Prof. Carla Criste, [email protected]
• Gymnastics
  • Progressively build strength, flexibility, and basic gymnastic ability on floor exercise and men's and women's apparatus
    • Prof. Craig Holt, [email protected]
• Marine Corps Martial Arts
  • Follows MCMAP curriculum, successful completion results in Marine Corps belt certification
    
    • Maj Alfonso Meidus, [email protected]
• Advanced Marine Corps Martial Arts
  • Follows MCMAP curriculum with more advanced techniques and belt certifications
    • Maj Alfonso Meidus, [email protected]
• Pickleball
  • Develop knowledge and skill to play pickleball, including rules, strategies, and court positioning for multiple game formats
    • Prof. Karen Boyle, [email protected]
• Squash
  • Teaches basic understanding of rules, strokes, tactics, and conditioning value of squash
    • Prof. John Officer, [email protected]
• Swim Conditioning
  • Enhance physical fitness and capabilities in the water beyond the required USNA swim curriculum
    • Prof. Mark Liscinsky, [email protected]
• Tennis
  • Learn forehand, backhand, serve, volley, approach shot, lob, drop shot, return of serve, overhead, and singles/doubles play
    • Prof. John Officer, [email protected]
• Triathlon
  • Introduction to triathlon training and racing
    • Prof. Karen Boyle, [email protected]
• Volleyball
  • Gain knowledge of fundamental skills of team volleyball
    • Prof. Michael Schwob, [email protected]
• Weight Lifting
  • Effectively perform Olympic lifts and provide instruction/guidance for individual fitness goals
    • Prof. Cliff Dooman, [email protected]