U.S. Army ROTC cadets take APFT at Clemson University

U.S. Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps cadets gathered on the field of Clemson University's Rock Norman Track and Field Complex to take the Army Physical Fitness Test January 14.

The "Fightin' Tiger Battalion" is organized into a cadet battalion modeled after an Army light infantry battalion. Like a normal Army battalion, cadets must maintain the Army standards in all things including physical fitness. Physical training is conducted formally twice a week at 6 a.m., and cadets are expected to train on their own on top of that. They must pass an APFT every semester.

The instructional book each cadet is given - called the "Orange Book" - states: "As a Cadet at Clemson University, and a future Army Officer, it is imperative that you achieve and maintain a high level of fitness. PFT two days a week will not accomplish this. Physical fitness is an individual responsibility and one must be self-disciplined to achieve and maintain a high level of fitness."

In addition to the cadet battalion staff, there a three companies each consisting of two platoons with a cadet chain of command. This structure provides opportunities for leadership and practical experience in problem solving. The cadet battalion staff plans, organizes, and conducts much of the training and other activities -- including the APFT, where upperclassmen grade and count reps for lowerclassmen during the sit-up and push-up portions of the event, and time them during the two-mile run.

Fightin' Tiger Battalion Cadets wear the United States Army ROTC uniforms. According to Cadet Command Regulation 670-1, this uniform is indistinguishable from the U.S. Army enlisted Soldier uniforms, other than by insignia. While wearing the uniforms Cadets must meet prescribed Army standards of bearing and appearance in accordance with Army Regulation 670-1.

Army ROTC, Military Science, was established as an integral part of the academic curriculum of Clemson University beginning in 1893 with the institution's first full-time academic year of operation. Clemson's long association with Army ROTC began in the context of a Military College with an all-male corps of cadets.

On April 6, 1917, the United States declared war on Germany, and Clemson's senior class volunteered to President Wilson en masse. A total of 1,549 served and 25 were killed in the line of duty. Medals of Honor were presented to Ensign Daniel Sullivan and Sergeant Evans Foster. During World War II, Clemson supplied more Army officers than any other institution except for Texas A&M. A total of 6,475 served and 370 were killed in the line of duty. A Medal of Honor was presented to LTC Jimmy Dyess, a member of Clemson's Class of '31

Clemson ROTC offers a general military subject curriculum. This enables the program to produce officers available for a wide variety of Army assignments in most branches.

At present, both the two-year and four-year programs are offered as a part of the Army ROTC curriculum. This curriculum is a viable academic career program for both men and women students who desire entry into the Active Army, Army Reserve, or Army National Guard as a Commissioned Officer.