Summary

The purpose of this evaluation is to determine the factors that

influence failed physical training tests in the University of Tampa ROTC
program. The evaluation process used three sources of data collection;
surveys, interviews and previously collected data. From these three different
sources, improvements for the future were discovered. It was found that the
test the cadets had the most difficulty with is the 2-mile run. The cadets also
believed that the preparations from the physical training (PT) did not
properly prepare them for the tests at the end of the semester.
University of Tampa ROTC Program Background
The University of Tampas Reserves Officer Training Corps (ROTC)
program is offered through the department of Military Science and
Leadership (MSL) at the University. With this program, students can train for
the Army at the University. This nationally recognized program provides
students with the knowledge and leadership skills necessary for their future
success in the military. Leadership skills are in high demand, not only in the
military, but industry and business as well. Therefore, the young students
that enter this program are not only prepared for their military careers but
their life long success.

University of Tampa ROTC Program Mission Statement

The mission of the Army Reserve Officer Training Corps (ROTC) is to
recruit, retain, develop and commission the future officer leadership of the
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United States Army and motivate young people to be better citizens through
support of local JROTC programs.
The University of Tampa's Army ROTC program is designed for full-time
undergraduate or graduate students seeking an officer's commission in the
Army, Army Reserve or Army National Guard.
Excerpted from www.ut.edu/rotc/army/
Purpose of the University of Tampa ROTC PT Program
The success of the cadets is not only important in the classroom, but
outside of it as well. The programs goal is to instill leadership qualities with
all the cadets. There are many aspects that develop these qualities and one
of those is the physical training (PT) program within the ROTC training. The
PT program is an integral part of the ROTC program military wide.
Each ROTC department is independently run by their respective
university. Which enables them to create their own PT program for the
semester to ensure that their cadets are adequately prepared for the APFT.
The intent of the Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) is to provide an
assessment of the Physical Readiness Training (PRT) program.
At the University of Tampa their current PT program focuses on a timed
four mile run, along with a mix of push up and sits up to in order to allow
cadets to exceed the standard when it comes to the APFT. Physical fitness
testing is designed to ensure the maintenance of a base level of physical
fitness essential for every Soldier, regardless of Army Military Officer Status
(MOS) or duty assignment. The APFT provides a measure of upper and lower
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body muscular endurance. It is a performance test that indicates a soldiers

ability to perform physically and handle his or her own body weight.

Description of Evaluation Plan

The need for this evaluation came to light, when LTC.Greco noticed that
some of the cadets were failing their physical training tests, despite all the
training efforts that occur during the semester. Whether it was one part or
all, it is a priority that all the cadets pass their PT tests. The type of activities
for the PT varies day to day but generally consists of cardio, strength
training, and agility training. With the current program in place, it has worked
successfully in the past but with the failed PT tests, the ROTC program is
alarmed and needs to know how to resolve the issue. With this evaluation,
the cadres hope to develop an understanding of why cadets are failing the
tests.
In order to do this, the plan of evaluation is to determine the factors
that affect the cadets from performing to their peak. This includes, their
current living habits, knowledge of physical tests and environmental factors
that may inhibit them from reaching their potential. Information will be
collected cadres and cadets, in face to face meetings and electronically as
well.

Description of Participants
Description of Cadres:
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The cadre who are in charge of the University of Tampa ROTC program
are all current active duty military personnel who have been assigned by the
Army to the University of Tampa as their duty station. The current program
has 5 active duty cadre and 2 civilian contractors who run the overall
operations for the department.

Description of Cadets:
The cadets are students currently enrolled in the University and a part
of the ROTC program. They range from freshmen-seniors; are both
contracted and uncontracted. When a cadet is contracted, it means that they
are on scholarship and have committed to serving their country in the Army
in exchange for an academic scholarship. There are approximately 80 cadets
in the ROTC program at the university, the number fluctuates each semester
as the graduating class and incoming freshmen differ.
Description of Data Collection
Methods:
Data was collected from three different sources. Which included,
analyzing the fall semesters APFT Scores, conducting interviews and
administering surveys. The APFT scores were previously collected by the
program. The interviews were in person with the cadres, the surveys served
as the communication with the cadets.

Tool Administration:
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The first tool that was used was the interviews. There were a total of
three interviews conducted with Cadres from the program. The first
interview was conducted with Senior Professor of Military Science LTC Greco.
He is in charge of the entire Army ROTC program and during our meeting he
discussed the expectations of the overall evaluation. The second interview
we conducted was with Assistant Military Professor MSG Workman. He is in
charge of enforcing all day to day regulations for the Army ROTC program.
The final interview we conducted was with CDT Nofel who is in charge of the
PT program for the entire ROTC program. These interviews set the need for
evaluation in motion. One of the cadres felt that more running needed to be
incorporated into the program because he found success with it to increase
all of his PT scores.
The second tool was electronic survey. These surveys were sent out to
all the cadets and cadres within the ROTC program at the university. The
surveys were available via survey monkey and listed ten multiple choice
questions for the participants to answer. The surveys asked the cadets of
their gender, age, status within the ROTC program, sleep patterns, exercise
routine and other factors that would influence their PT success.
The third tool was previously collected data that was obtained from
the ROTC program directly. This information was of the fall semesters APFT,
which gave direct insight into which tests the cadets are failing. With this it
allowed for a specific view of how the cadets are performing and any trends
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that needed to be addressed to the cadres. The APFT stands for the Army
Physical Fitness Test. The APFT scores are the scores that the cadets achieve
when they complete the PT testing at the end of every semester. In order to
be contracted with the Army, the cadets must pass the tests, as well as
continue to pass once they are contracted through the contracts entirety.
The cadets are tested on three aspects, their push-ups per minute, sit-ups
per minutes and their 2-mile run times. All of the passing scores for the tests
are varied based on age, gender, height and weight class. From this data, the
types of questions for the surveys were determined.

Results
The interviews with the three administrators of the program started the
need for the evaluation of the PT. LT. Greco saw that there needs to be
improvement of the training but did not know how to best evaluate it. From
this interview, the interview with CDT Nofel led to an understanding of how
he runs and plans the weekly trainings. The cadet has added in additional
running to the PT because it had helped his own AFPT scores. With this
information, we saw that he mainly incorporated long distance running.
The Army Physical Fitness Test (APFT) scores that were collected in the
fall of 2015, gave valuable information about the cadets and the PT program.
The data revealed that a total of 13 cadets failed the APFT at the end of the
2015 fall semester. Of those 13, one failed more than one test. The majority
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of the cadets had issues passing the 2-mile run portion of the test. From this
information, questions were developed for the survey that was distributed to
the cadets.
A survey was sent out to approximately 80 cadets and 10 cadres in the
ROTC program at the University of Tampa. The survey was available for 48
hours and received 53 responses, which is a high response rate for only a
brief window to complete the survey. The majority of the responses came
from the contracted cadets within the program. The high response rate from
the contracted cadets can be due to increase motivation because they are
contracted and have high level of interest in their program. From this, the
information can be viewed as valid and reliable.
The survey found that the cadets are mostly male, ranging in age from
18-24 years old. From these participants, their average nights sleep
consisted from 6-9 hours and on nights before PT their sleep decreased. The
less sleep could account for the early time that the training sessions occur.
On average the cadets have missed 1-3 PT sessions, 25% have missed none
session and the other 25% missed more than 4 sessions. The early time
could also be an effect to the missed sessions.
The cadets feel that the training sessions do not prepare them for the
final test at the end of the semester, yet that it does benefit their overall
health. The cadets feel that there needs to be more of a variety added to the
PT sessions for better success. The addition of yoga, manual resistance,
CrossFit, powerlifting and speed/agility training. The cadets believe that for
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better success their bodies need to be pushed further with a variety of

exercises, rather than one or two of the same ones.
Discussion
During the evaluation of the University of Tampas ROTC PT program,
there were some aspects that need to be further looked into. The program
has failed to adapt over the course of its inception. This may be due to the
tradition that the military up holds and the lack of desire to change from the
past. If the program is to be more successful and lessen the failure rate,
there are new exercise concepts that need to be incorporated into the
weekly training sessions. If the ROTC program is willing to adapt to new
ways, then they and their cadets should be more successful in the future.

Recommendations for Improvement

For the future improvement of the ROTC PT program, there needs to be
a concentration on the 2-mile run training. Many of the cadets failed that
portion of the test and there needs to be more cardio endurance training to
be done. In order to aid this, adding a variety of exercises can benefit the
physical fitness of the cadets. To prevent more failed tests, the cadres should

also implement more varied forms of running into the program, sprints and
long distance activities to push the cadets further.

Recommendations
Increased awareness of the failed 2-mile running tests
Incorporating a more varied exercise plan. (weight training, sprints and
long distance running, non-running cardio intensive workouts, etc.)
Be flexible to try new exercises to benefit the cadets PT.
Instill a general importance of taking care of your body to the cadets,
proper sleeping and eating habits, that are needed for the demand of the
PT.

Appendix I: Survey Questions

1. What is your status within the University of a Tampa Army ROTC
Department?
A. Cadre
B. Contracted Cadet
C. Non Contract Cadet
2. What is your Gender?
A. Male
B. Female

3.How many hours of sleep do you average per night?

A. 1-3
B. 4-7
C. 7-9
4. How many hours of sleep do you average the night before you conduct
PT?
A. 1-3
B. 4-6
C. 7-9
5. How many times have you missed PT this semester?
A. 0
B. 1-3
C. 4-6
6. On average how many days in a week do you workout not including
scheduled PT?
A. 1-2
B. 3-4
C. 5-6
7. Do you find the PT workouts to be beneficial to your overall fitness?
A. Yes
B. No
8. Do you feel the current PT program adequately prepares you for the PT
test?
A. Yes
B. No
9. What other workouts would you like to seem implemented within the PT
program?
A Speed/Agility
B. CrossFit
C. Manual Resistance Training
D. Yoga
E. Power Lifting
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10. Do you enjoy conducting PT?

A. Yes
B. No
Appendix II: Survey Results

Question 1

Question 2

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Question 3

Question 4

12

Question 5

Question 6

Question 7

Question 8
13

Question 9

Question 10
Appendix III: Analysis of APFT Scores

Test

Pass number

Fail number

Failure Percentage

Push-up

75

1.3%

Sit-up

72

5.2%

2 Mile run

67

11.8%

Appendix IV: Interview Questions

Interview Background:
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How long have been serving with the Army?

Have you ever worked anywhere else?
How long have you been working as an instructor?
How long have you been an instructor with ROTC, University of Tampa?
Do you require to go through any special training in order to become and
instructor?
Initial Question
What in your role in ROTC, University of Tampa?
What are program activities?
what are your role and what do you accept from your cadets in PT?
Have your program ever been evaluated earlier?
Do you have any other instructor assisting you with your job?
How many cadets participate per PT class?
How long do you commit for the PT program every week?
What does you training entail?
The biggest challenge you face with the program?
What are your greatest success?
How can you make the program more effective?
Do you think students are committed to PT?
Do their progress report get evaluated?
Do you ask cadets to follow a specific diet plan to improve endurance?
Do cadets have to perform any activity before and after the PT?
Do less performing cadets get extra attention?
How do you help cadets to get motivates?

Appendix V: Interview Question Answers

Interview Background: LTC Greco
How long have been serving with the Army? 14 years
Have you ever worked anywhere else? No
How long have you been working as an instructor? 1 year
How long have you been an instructor with ROTC, University of Tampa? 1
year
Do you require to go through any special training in order to become and
instructor? Training classes in seminars in FT. Knox Kentucky
Initial Question
What in your role in ROTC, University of Tampa? PMS
What are program activities in relation to PT? AGRs, Full body workouts, PRTs
What do you accept from your cadets in PT? Cadet will attend PT regularly
and pass APFT standards per semester
Have your program ever been evaluated earlier? No
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Do you have any other instructor assisting you with your job? 6
How many cadets participate per PT class? Avg 75
How long do you commit for the PT program every week? 4 hours
What does you training entail? Depends on the scheduled day
The biggest challenge you face with the program? Increasing APFT scores
What are your greatest success? Helping those cadets who struggle with
their low PT scores
How can you make the program more effective? Increase the level of
competitiveness within the PT program
Do you think students are committed to PT? Yes
Do their progress report get evaluated? Yes
Do you ask cadets to follow a specific diet plan to improve endurance? No
Do cadets have to perform any activity before and after the PT? Stretching &
cooling exercises, AAR
Do less performing cadets get extra attention? Yes, Remedial PT
How do you help cadets to get motivates? By stressing the importance of
leading by example as a officer.
Interview Background: MSG Workman
How long have been serving with the Army? 17 years
Have you ever worked anywhere else? No
How long have you been working as an instructor? 3
How long have you been an instructor with ROTC, University of Tampa? 3
Do you require to go through any special training in order to become and
instructor? Training classes in seminars in FT. Knox Kentucky
Initial Question
What in your role in ROTC, University of Tampa? Military Professor
what are your role and what do you accept from your cadets in PT? Show up
to PT regularly
Have your program ever been evaluated earlier? No
Do you have any other instructor assisting you with your job? Yes 5 other
Cadre
How many cadets participate per PT class? 60-70
How long do you commit for the PT program every week? 4hours
What does you training entail?
The biggest challenge you face with the program?
What are your greatest success?
How can you make the program more effective?
Do you think students are committed to PT?
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Do their progress report get evaluated?

Do you ask cadets to follow a specific diet plan to improve endurance?
Do cadets have to perform any activity before and after the PT?
Do less performing cadets get extra attention?
How do you help cadets to get motivates?
Interview Background: CDT Nofel
How long have been serving with the Army? 4 years
Have you ever worked anywhere else? Brick mason
How long have you been working as an instructor? 0
How long have you been an instructor with ROTC, University of Tampa? 0
Do you require to go through any special training in order to become and
instructor? no
Initial Question
What in your role in ROTC, University of Tampa? PT Planner
what are your role and what do you accept from your cadets in PT? Attend
PT
Have your program ever been evaluated earlier? No
Do you have any other instructor assisting you with your job? No
How many cadets participate per PT class? 70
How long do you commit for the PT program every week? 4 hours
What does you training entail? AGRS, Speed Agility, Push up, Sit up
The biggest challenge you face with the program? Raising PT scores
What are your greatest success? Helping other cadets in C group
How can you make the program more effective? More PT with various
workouts
Do you think students are committed to PT? Yes
Do their progress report get evaluated? APFT
Do you ask cadets to follow a specific diet plan to improve endurance? No
Do cadets have to perform any activity before and after the PT?
Do less performing cadets get extra attention? Remedial PT
How do you help cadets to get motivates? Army Song

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