page_title: Department of Physical Education
section_title: Academic courses
hierarchical_section_title: Department of Physical Education / Academic courses
caption_attribution_description: English: The Departmental Photo for AY 08-09
context_page_description: The Department of Physical Education 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 24 Military faculty and 25 civilian instructors and professors. The head of the department holds the ceremonial title of Master 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 and physical training. The current Master of the Sword is COL Nicholas Gist, who has held the position since 2015. The department's stated mission is:
  The Department of Physical Education develops warrior leaders of character who are physically and mentally tough by engaging cadets in activities that promote and enhance a healthy lifestyle, physical fitness, movement behavior, and psychomotor performance.
context_section_description: DPE is responsible for teaching several core courses.  To meet this requirement, the department is organized into four "committees".  All 49 instructors are a member of one of the four committees.  The current DPE committees are:
caption: DPE Faculty AY08-09[2]
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