The Indoor Obstacle Course Test (IOCT) is a test of full-body functional physical fitness administered by the Department of Physical Education (DPE) at the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. DPE considers the IOCT to be one of the best evaluations of total body fitness given in the Army. Cadets who earn an A− (2:38 or less for men and 3:35 or less for women) are authorized to wear the IOCT Badge on their athletic shorts.
Description
DPE administers the test in historic Hayes Gymnasium, built in 1910. The IOCT is similar in concept to the obstacle course seen on the TV show American Gladiators, with the addition of a quarter mile sprint at the conclusion of the course. DPE administers the IOCT to all third, second, and first class cadets through the academic year. Large crowds of cadets, officers, and other onlookers gather to watch.
Relevance
Army Regulation 350-1, Army Training and Leader Development, specifically supports functional fitness and the IOCT by specifically naming numerous skill related components of fitness, like balance, agility, and coordination by stating "Preparation for the APFT is of secondary importance. Maintenance of the military skills listed below will also be emphasized."
The IOCT is often cited or studied in articles concerning high intensity human performance and obstacle courses. This is due to the large amount of available data due to the lengthy history of the course. It has been administered with few changes since 1944.
Test sequence
The test consists of 11 events performed sequentially: low crawl under barrier, tire footwork, two-handed vault, 8 ft horizontal shelf, horizontal bar navigation, hanging tire, balance beam, 8 ft vertical wall, 20 ft horizontal ladder, 16 ft vertical rope, and 350 m sprint (carrying a 6 lb medicine ball for the first 120 m, a baton for the second 120 m, and empty-handed for the remaining 110 m). Because of the unique level of athletic skill needed to pass the test and the tremendous level of effort needed to excel at it, the IOCT holds a special place in the hearts of all West Point Cadets and graduates. A search of YouTube will return many videos about it, both serious and comical. The IOCT is both feared and revered by the members of the Long Gray Line and is seen as a link between graduates of long ago and cadets of today.