The Department of Physical Education (also known by its initials DPE) 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 21 Military faculty and 23 civilian instructors and professors. The head of the department holds the ceremonial title of M
aster 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 & physical training. The current Master of the Sword is COL Nicholas Gist, who has held the position since 2015. Because of the department's tough and exacting standards and its role in evaluating physical fitness for the entire Corps of Cadets (and formerly the USMA faculty as well), DPE has for years been known euphemistically as the "Department with a Heart." DPE embraces this unofficial nickname, and it can be seen embossed upon its departmental coin. Instructors and professors in DPE have a wide range of duties and responsibilities. In addition to teaching one of the core physical program courses, instructors may also teach an elective lifetime sport and/or a cognitive exercise science or applied fitness course. Instructors also serve on additional committees such as the Competitive Sports, Testing, & Assessment committees, or may work with the department's operations & plans, or personnel sections.
