"Inclusive Excellence" Becomes Physical Excellence as VMI Reverts Back to Merit Based Fitness Requirements

Since 2019, the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) has steadily revised how it defines and enforces physical readiness for its Corps of Cadets. At the center of these changes is General Order 31 (GO31), Corps of Cadets Physical Training Program, which dictates fitness testing, training schedules, and remedial measures. The evolution over the 2019 standard, through the "Inclusive Excellence" period of 2024, to the new 2025 Version represents a fascinating evolution—a uniform, single-test system, then a more flexible, inclusive model, and now back toward a more merit-based, performance-oriented standard. In 2019, VMI's fitness test (VFT) demanded three events: two-minute sit-ups, a 1.5-mile run, and pull-ups (no time limit). All cadets needed to achieve at least 60 points per event, and VMI could not take full points for substandard effort in one event. ROTC cadets also remained obligated to complete the VFT unless exempted by a branch requirement, and remedial physical training (RPT) remained centrally administered and obligatory for any failure. This method was severe and rudimentary, but inflexible—all cadets received the same test irrespective of commission track, sports standing, or age. The 2024 update of GO31 effected sweeping changes designed to allow for branch differences and variation for varying cadet backgrounds. VMI replaced push-ups with pull-ups, increased the run distance to two miles, and replaced the uniform standard with age- and gender-normed scoring. The ROTC cadets might fulfill the Institute requirement through passing their branch examination—the Army ACFT, Navy PRT, Marine Corps PFT, Air Force PFA—instead of having redundant testing. NCAA student-athletes were treated differently, with their Athletic Department laying out remedial programs as necessary. Remedial PT also decentralized—ROTC units and athletics departments took care of their under-performing cadets, and RPT was administered solely by the Commandant's staff for non-commissioning cadets. The "Inclusive Excellence" method expanded participation and minimized conflict with other training, but made enforcement more lenient. Thresholds for passing were lower (60% per event), and body composition tests were not required for those who passed. The 2025 update of GO31 represents a decisive shift back towards measurable greatness and Corps-level responsibility. Instead of the 2024 "either/or" policy, the 2025 GO31 puts all of the ROTC and VMI tests under one umbrella of PFA. The test becomes cadet category dependent: Army ROTC: Army Fitness Test (AFT) – 2-minute push-ups, plank, 2-mile run Navy ROTC: Navy PRT – 2-minute push-ups, plank, 1.5-mile run Marine Option: Marine Corps PFT – pull-ups, plank, 3-mile run Air Force ROTC: Air Force PFA – 1-minute push-ups, 1-minute sit-ups, 1.5-mile run Coast Guard AUP: PFE – 2-minute push-ups, 2-minute sit-ups, 1.5-mile run Non-commissioning cadets: VMI VFT – same format as Air Force PFA Higher Passing Standards Cadets must now achieve at least 75% of the total available points and meet minimum scores in each event—equivalent to 225/300 for most ROTC tests or 75/100 for the VFT. This raises the bar from the 2024 requirement of 60% per event (180/300 total implied). The failure of an event will result in a "0" and will fail the VFT as a whole. Body Composition Enforcement All cadets are now weighed and measured every term. Non-commissioning cadets are held to Army Regulation 40-501 standards; commissioning cadets follow their branch's. Cadets over the weight table undergo the Army's tape test. Exceeding body fat limits places cadets in a remedial track even if they pass the performance events. Centralized Remediation: FIP & FitPro Fitness Improvement Program (FIP): Developmental track for cadets below standard—the program consists of counseling, customized training programs, and required RPT twice a week. Fitness Probation (FitPro): A restrictive status for cadets who fail to improve – loss of grade, confinement to post, and restricted privileges until specific goals are achieved. In contrast to 2024, failed ROTC and NCAA cadets now enter the Institute's remedial process, and we now have a single Corps-wide baseline.Rank is directly related to passing the PFA and body composition requirements. Retesting occurs for failed cadets before the forfeiture of rank, and they have the option of reapplication in the subsequent school year following passage. Effect on the CorpsThe new standard translates into some cadets who "passed" in 2024 now "failing" on the 75% system. This likely inflated counts in FIP during the first-semester implementation. While FIP is framed as developmental rather than punitive, action from FitPro for those not progressing creates real-world consequences. Sport competitors, especially those in size-related sports, now must deal with body fat issues. Inclusion of athletic strength staff in FIP counseling is key in balancing performing in one's sport and compliance. ROTC IntegrationThe ROTC cadets now see their branch standards applied and upheld as VMI's own. This cohesive method avoids seams in accountability and more equally synchronizes preparation toward commissioning success. Cultural ShiftVMI has moved from "meeting minimums" to "pursuing excellence." The change reinforces physical readiness as non-negotiable, with a support system for improvement but clear penalties for falling short. The 2025 GO31 reestablishes fitness as an essential component of cadet life—the traditional VMI objective of educating leaders who are intellectually disciplined, morally centered, and physically prepared. Philosophical Arc: 2019 to 2024 to 2025 2019: One-size-fits-all enforcement of the rules 2024: Agile, inclusive, distributed enforcement 2025: Coordinated system, elevated standards, systematic remediation, and complete responsibility. The records referenced in the article are available for download in the online version of this article at: https://cadetnewspaper.com/