About

The Department of Physical Education and Athletics is an integral component of the Academy’s Four Pillars, supporting the mission of the institution by fostering leadership development through high-level competition, challenging academics and physical fitness.

The Department of Physical Education and Athletics additionally offers two PE&A Concentrations; Shipboard Medical Care Concentration and Ships Wellness Coordinator Concentration.

 

Physical Education Course Descriptions

PE&A 110 Basic Swimming 1 credit, 2 hours per week

Required course offered first and second terms to fourth classmen

Students receive instruction in the various strokes and procedures, which may be utilized in water survival situations. Students also develop their fitness component through their work in the pool. Individual remedial instruction is available for students with little or no experience in the water. This course fulfills STCW requirements in selected Aquatic Survival techniques. Basic Swimming is the first course to improve a student’s aquatic ability.

 

PE&A 120 First Aid .5 credit, 2 hours per week

Required course offered first, second and third terms to fourth classmen

This course is designed to train students to recognize and provide elementary care for victims of illness and injury according to current first aid standards. Students will learn to administer proper respiratory and cardiac care in emergency situations.  This course contains multiple STCW Knowledge, Understanding and Proficiency (KUP) concerning the knowledge and application of varying First Aid processes. 

 

PE&A 125 Self Defense .5 credit, 2 hours per week

Required course offered first, second and third terms to fourth classmen

This course is designed to train midshipmen to defend themselves during combative situations while out at sea, on liberty, or working in the maritime industry. The course covers basic techniques, and strategies of self-defense. During the course Midshipmen learn physical techniques as well as strategies to avoid potentially dangerous situations. The Midshipmen actively practice defensive skills, and have the opportunity to utilize both physical and non-physical skills in real-life simulations. Students will be taught a variety of self-defense tactics including; Fight or Flight Response/Acute Stress Response, Non-violent Self Defense (NSD) Theoretical approach, and social de-escalation.

 

PE&A 130 Aquatic Survival 1 credit 2 hours per week
Required course offered second and third terms to fourth classmen

Students learn how to react in a correct manner during water emergency situations, take measures appropriate to his/her own survival and to the survival of others.  Students also receive instructions in the prevention of aquatic emergencies and the use of survival equipment. This course fulfills STCW requirements in selected Aquatic Survival techniques. Aquatic Survival is an advanced course to improve your aquatic ability.

Prerequisites: PE&A 110

 

PE&A 200 Medical Care Provider 1 credit, 2 hours per week
Required course offered to second or first classmen

This course is designed to train students to provide emergency medical care with a degree of competence to increase chances of survival at sea. Midshipmen will be versed in anatomy, physiology, emergency medical techniques and equipment, as well as their proper application.  This course contains multiple STCW Knowledge, Understanding and Proficiency (KUP) concerning the knowledge and application of varying First Aid processes. This course is required for all Midshipmen and is offered throughout the academic year.

Prerequisites: PE&A 120

Electives

PE&A 400 Lifeguarding 3 credits
Students receive instruction in Lifeguarding skills. Each student will develop the necessary knowledge and skills needed to help prevent and respond to aquatic emergencies. This includes land and water rescue skills as well as first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillators (AED). The knowledge and skills will be presented in a Lecture/Lab format. The Lifeguard Training Course will be the next aquatic course following Basic Swimming and Aquatic Survival. Upon successful completion of this course, each student will receive a two-year certification, from the American Red Cross, in Lifeguarding, First Aid, CPR and AED

Prerequisites: PE&A 110, PE&A 130

 

PE&A 410 Surface Rescue Swimmer Fitness Training (SRS) 2.5 credits

Students receive instruction in Surface Rescue Swimmer Fitness Training. Each student will develop the necessary knowledge and fitness capabilities similar to the SRS development program. This includes rigorous land and water fitness training. The course content administered will follow the Surface Rescue Swimmer Development Program: Prepared by Military Sealift Fleet Support Command, Workforce Development Division. Areas that will be addressed are muscular endurance, muscular strength, and cardiovascular endurance.

Prerequisites: PE&A 110, PE&A 130

 

PE&A 420 Lifetime Activities for Business and Leisure 1 credit

This course is designed to familiarize students in the physical activities of racquetball, golf and tennis. The course will enable students to learn the rules for each activity. They will become familiar and practice the basic skills associated with each activity. The knowledge and experiences learned while participating will enable the students to participate in each activity post-graduation. The course does not include any STCW competencies. The course is an elective offered to 1/C Midshipmen.

 

PE&A 430 Emergency Medical Technician (Basic) 6 credits

This course prepares Midshipmen for the EMT certification. The State of New York Department of Health, Bureau of Emergency Health Services and national EMT-B standards mandates the content and sequence of the course materials. The Midshipmen will learn the skills and knowledge needed to provide definitive care for a patient rapidly and safely as a situation dictates. The Midshipmen will gain proficiency in CPR, oxygen therapy, as well as assessment and treatment of various medical and traumatic illnesses and injuries.

 

PE&A 440 Health and Wellness 3 credits

This course is designed to educated and train students on the health and wellness issues confronting American Society. The course serves as a tool that will allow students to build a wellness plan based on the principles and concepts of health and wellness. The course emphasizes basic human physiology concepts and the mechanisms by which the body adapts to physical training. Students will learn how to assess, monitor, develop, and maintain their wellness in all full components: cardio respiratory, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, and body composition.

 

PE&A 450 Medical Person in Charge 3 credits

This course is designed to train students to be in charge of a medical emergency and treat the medical emergency with competence to increase chances of survival at sea. Midshipmen will be versed in emergency care, aspects of nursing, diseases and prevention of diseases, dental care, alcohol and drug abuse, pregnancy and childbirth, hygiene, death at sea, external assistance and record keeping.  This course contains multiple STCW Knowledge, Understanding and Proficiency (KUP) concerning the knowledge and application of varying First Aid processes. This course is an elective for 1st class Midshipmen and is offered throughout the academic year.

Prerequisites: PE&A 120, PE&A 200

 

PE&A 460 Medical Person in Charge – Bridge Course 1.5 credits

This course will cover all the subjects of the MPIC course, but is for those midshipmen who successfully complete the EMT-Basic course. It will bridge the EMT course to the STCW requirements of MPIC.

Prerequisites: PE&A 120, PE&A 200, PE&A 430

 

PE&A 470 Combative Sports 1 credit

Combative Sports is designed to train midshipmen in a range of combative sports including: Boxing, Wrestling, and Jui-Jitsu. The course covers basic and advanced techniques and strategies of each discipline. During the course the Midshipmen will be taught how to safely and accurately perform the technique in each sport. The Midshipmen will actively practice all techniques, and have the opportunity to utilize their training in live competition with other midshipmen in the class

Prerequisites: PE&A 125

 

PE&A 480 Mental Skills Training 2 credit

This course is designed to teach skills that are consistent with the mental training principles used by the navy seals, the Army Center for Enhanced Performance, athletes, exercisers, business professionals, and those pursuing other lifetime achievement goals. The skills taught include: self-awareness training, goal setting, imagery and visualization, cognitive strategies, intensity regulation, stress management, and focus control. The history and theory of each mental skill will be taught and a practical application to that theory will be covered and used by the students. The course will conclude by covering the application of the mental skills learned in class into professional and career skills to be used as an officer in the Merchant Marine.