Optimizing the ROTC Occupational Physical Assessment Test
The US Army is transitioning to a new physical fitness test called the Occupational Physical Assessment Test (OPAT), which all new cadets must perform in order to join. Davidson’s ROTC program, as a feeder program to the US Army, has to implement this test process. The OPAT test involves 4 stations of testing: standing long jump, seated power throw, strength deadlift, and an interval aerobic run. Each participant must complete all four of these events in a single setting and their results in each event must be recorded by a trained facilitator. The goal of this project is to mathematically model the entire testing process in order to find the most efficient process for optimizing “put-through” of the cadets within the system. “Put-through” refers to the ease of the process for both cadets and facilitators and a successful process would result in the smoothest possible flow of cadets through the system, seeing no bottlenecks at any station. A successful project would result in a more efficient testing process for Davidson’s ROTC program that faces fewer bottlenecks and less time wasted while conducting the OPAT.