Army Col. Nicholas Gist is this week’s guest on The American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast. He discusses his role at West Point where he oversees the Department of Physical Education and how it develops leaders.
Army Col. Nicholas Gist, known as the “Master of the Sword” for his role at West Point, is this week’s guest on The American Legion Tango Alpha Lima podcast. With 29 years of service, Gist has spent the past eight in the Department of Physical Education at the U.S. Military Academy.
“It’s a historical title,” he admits. “I don’t actually have a sword or teach swordsmanship. But going back to the late 19th century and early 20th century, one of our (department’s) responsibilities was to teach fencing or swordsmanship. It’s a neat title and a privilege to have.”
With the swords retired, Gist instead leads a 71-person staff that focuses on physical education courses such as boxing, personal fitness, jujitsu and others. The “classrooms” are boxing rings, wrestling mats and other similar areas.
“That’s where we develop leaders,” he explains. “Leaders of character who are physically fit and mentally tough.”
Citing an example of a mandatory boxing for all cadets, Gist also talked about just how far to push. “We want to develop a warrior ethos, a mindset of mental toughness. That is something that gets developed in those crucible moments.”
It’s worth noting that one-fourth of West Point cadets are recruited as Division I athletes. “There is no doubt we see outstanding cadet athletes among that group,” he said. “But even outside that group, the other 75%, we see outstanding cadet athletes. They may have been high school athletes who came here and pursue excellence.”
Also this week, after a brief hiatus, co-host Ashley Gutermuth is back! Gutermuth, along with co-host Jeff Daly, share their thoughts on:
• The American Legion is leveling up with its new partnership with Regiment Gaming.
• This must be bliss. Starting this October, Fort Bliss will be mandating manual leave for servicemembers.
• The Marine Corps being left without a commandant, a subject American Legion National Commander Vincent J. "Jim" Troiola wrote about last week.
Check out this week’s episode, which is among more than 180 Tango Alpha Lima podcasts available in both audio and video formats here. You can also download episodes on iTunes, Google Play or other major podcast-hosting sites. The video version is available at the Legion’s YouTube channel.
- Tango Alpha Lima