The swimmers also box or take self-defense. The corps squadders, every one of them, do the things that time has demonstrated contribute to success as an Army officer in the area of physical fitness. And, the instructors are full-time trained professionals. The obstacle course or Plebe swimming is not the issue. Rather, the point is that physical development at West Point is not corps squad athletics.
Any cadet can graduate without so much as a minute on a corps squad.
No cadet can graduate without a full experience in the basics of the PE program. Corps squads are superb supplements and make major contributions to personal and professional development. Each affects only those cadets who participate, and, perhaps, the public. If we can have great strength development areas for both groups, great.