Army World Class Athlete Program Entry Standards
1. The Army World Class Athlete Program (WCAP) supports and guides nationally ranked Soldier-athletes who compete and succeed in the Olympic and Paralympic Games, while maintaining military careers and promoting the U.S. Army to the world. WCAP was established to provide Soldiers of world-class caliber with the opportunity to train full time for national and international sports competitions leading to selection and participation with United States national teams, while maintaining their military specialties. Soldiers selected to participate in the program serve in this assignment at the discretion of the Army and may be released and reassigned from the program at any time based on the needs of the Army.
2. In furtherance of this mission, only Soldier-athletes who meet the criteria below will be considered for admittance into the program. Any athlete applying to the WCAP who fails to meet the criteria should expect to have their application denied. Furthermore, merely meeting the entry standard does not guarantee admittance into the program. The standards laid out are the minimum for consideration of a potential applicant.
3. Soldier-athletes who meet the standards below are deemed athletically qualified for entry into the Army WCAP and will be considered for acceptance in to the program for the 2020 Summer Olympic Games at Tokyo, Japan and the 2022 Winter Olympic Games at Beijing, China.
2020 SUMMER OLYMPIC SPORTS:
ARCHERY: a. A current member of the U.S. Senior National Recurve Archery Team and eligible for funding from the National Governing Body; by-name selection must be made by the Senior U.S. National Team Coach. b. Competed in the sport of Recurve Archery at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Archery can be found at http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Archery |
BADMINTON: a. Qualified to represent the U.S. at a Senior World Championship, Pan-American Games, or World University Games within the past 12 months immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. b. Competed in the sport of Badminton at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Badminton can be found at http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Badminton |
BASEBALL: a. A current member of the U.S. Senior National Team and eligible for funding from the National Governing Body; by-name selection must be made by the Senior U.S. National Team Coach. b. Competed in the sport of Baseball at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Baseball can be found at https://www.usabaseball.com/ |
BOXING: Men: a. Finished in the top-4 at the U.S. National Championship or the National Golden Gloves Championship within the past 12 months immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. If less than six competitors in applicant’s weight class then must finish in top-2 at both U.S. National Championship and National Golden Gloves Championship. b. Finished in the top-2 at the National Police Athletic League Championship within the past 12 months immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. If less than six competitors in applicant’s weight class then must finish as champion of weight class. c. Champion at the Junior National Golden Gloves Championship or the Junior Olympics National Championship within the past 12 months immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. d. Competed in the sport of Boxing at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. Women: a. Finished in the top-4 at the U.S. National Championship or the top-2 at the National Golden Gloves Championship within the past 12 months immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. If less than six competitors in applicant’s weight class then must finish in top-2 at U.S. National Championship and must finish as champion of weight class at the National Golden Gloves Championship. b. Finished in the top-2 at the National Police Athletic League Championship within the past 12 months immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. If less than six competitors in applicant’s weight class then must finish as champion of weight class. c. Champion at the Junior National Golden Gloves Championship or the Junior Olympics National Championship within the past 12 months immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. c. Competed in the sport of Boxing at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Boxing can be found at http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Boxing |
CANOE/KAYAK: a. A current member of the U.S. Senior National Team for either Flatwater Sprint or Whitewater Slalom and eligible for funding from the National Governing Body; by-name selection must be made by the Senior U.S. National Team coach. b. Competed in the sport of Canoe/Kayak at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Canoe/Kayak can be found at http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Canoe-Kayak |
CYCLING: a. A current member of the U.S. Senior National Team in an Olympic Cycling event and eligible for funding from the National Governing Body; by-name selection must be made by the Senior U.S. National Team coach. b. Competed in the sport of Cycling at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Canoe/Kayak can be found at https://www.usacycling.org/ |
DIVING: a. A current member of the U.S. Senior National Team for Diving and eligible for funding from the National Governing Body; by-name selection must be made by the Senior U.S. National Team coach. b. Competed in the sport of Diving at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Diving can be found at http://www.usadiving.org/ |
FENCING: a. A current member of the U.S. Senior National Team for Epee, Foil, or Sabre Fencing and eligible for funding from the National Governing Body; by-name selection must be made by the Senior U.S. National Team coach. b. Competed in the sport of Epee, Foil, or Sabre Fencing at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Fencing can be found at http://www.usfencing.org/ |
FIELD HOCKEY: a. Tried out for and selected to be a member of the U.S. Senior National Team in the 12 months immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application; by-name selection must be made by the Senior U.S. National Team coach. b. Competed in the sport of Field Hockey at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Field Hockey can be found at http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Field-Hockey |
GYMNASTICS: a. A current member of the U.S. Senior National Team for Gymnastics and eligible for funding from the National Governing Body; by-name selection must be made by the Senior U.S. National Team coach. b. Competed in the sport of Gymnastics at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Gymnastics can be found at https://usagym.org/pages/index.html |
JUDO: a. A current top-50 ranking in the International Judo Federation (IJF) World Ranking List and meet at least one of the following: (1) Hold a current top-3 ranking on the USA Judo Senior National Ranking List in an Olympic Weight Class and have at least a C-Level Senior Classification rating. (2) Finished in the top-3 of the USA Judo Senior National Championship within the past 12 months immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. (3) Currently hold a top-2 ranking on the IJF Junior National Ranking List. b. Competed in the sport of Judo at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Judo can be found at http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Judo |
KARATE: a. A current member of the U.S. Senior National Team for Karate and eligible for funding from the National Governing Body; by-name selection must be made by the Senior U.S. National Team coach.. b. Competed in the sport of Karate at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Karate can be found at https://www.teamusa.org/USA-Karate |
MODERN PENTATHLON: a. A current member of the U.S. Senior National Team for Modern Pentathlon and eligible for funding from the National Governing Body; by-name selection must be made by the Senior U.S. National Team coach.. b. Qualified to represent the U.S. at the Modern Pentathlon Junior World Championships within the past 12 months immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. c. Competed in the sport of Modern Pentathlon at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Modern Pentathlon can be found at http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Modern-Pentathlon |
ROWING: a. A current member of the U.S. Senior National Team for Rowing and eligible for funding from the National Governing Body; by-name selection must be made by the Senior U.S. National Team coach. b. Competed in the sport of Rowing at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Rowing can be found at http://www.usrowing.org/index.aspx |
RUGBY 7’s: a. Tried out for and selected to be a member of the U.S. Senior National Team in the 12 months immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application; by-name selection must be made by the Senior U.S. National Team coach. b. Competed in the sport of Rugby 7’s at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Rugby 7’s can be found at http://usarugby.org/ |
SAILING: a. A current member of the U.S. Senior National Team in an Olympic Sailing Event and eligible for funding from the National Governing Body; by-name selection must be made by the Senior U.S. National Team coach. b. Competed in the sport of Sailing at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Sailing can be found at http://ussailing.org/ |
SHOOTING: a. A current member of the U.S. Senior National Team in an Olympic Shooting Event and eligible for funding from the National Governing Body; by-name selection must be made by the Senior U.S. National Team coach b. Competed in the sport of Shooting at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Shooting can be found at http://www.usashooting.org/ |
SOCCER: Men: a. Tried out for and selected to be a member of the U.S. U-23 Men’s National Team in the 12 months immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application; by-name selection must be made by the U-23 Men’s National Team coach. b. Competed in the sport of Soccer at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. Women: a. Tried out for and selected to be a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team in the 12 months immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application; by-name selection must be made by the Women’s National Team coach. b. Competed in the sport of Soccer at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Soccer can be found at http://www.ussoccer.com/ |
SOFTBALL: a. Tried out for and selected to be a member of the U.S. Women’s National Team in the 12 months immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application; by-name selection must be made by the Women’s National Team coach. b. Competed in the sport of Softball at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Soccer can be found at http://www.ussoccer.com/ |
SPORT CLIMBING: a. A current member of the U.S. Senior National Team for Sport Climbing and eligible for funding from the National Governing Body; by-name selection must be made by the Senior U.S. National Team coach. b. Competed in the sport of Sport Climbing at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Sport Climbing can be found at http://www.usaclimbing.org/ |
SWIMMING: a. A current member of the U.S. Senior National Team for Swimming and eligible for funding from the National Governing Body; by-name selection must be made by the Senior U.S. National Team coach. b. Competed in the sport of Swimming at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Swimming can be found at http://www.usaswimming.org/DesktopDefault.aspx |
SYNCHRONIZED SWIMMING: a. A current member of the U.S. Senior National Team for Synchronized Swimming and eligible for funding from the National Governing Body; by-name selection must be made by the Senior/Junior U.S. National Team coach. b. Competed in the sport of Synchronized Swimming at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Synchronized Swimming can be found at http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Synchronized-Swimming |
TABLE TENNIS: a. A current member of the U.S. Senior National Team for Table Tennis and eligible for funding from the National Governing Body; by-name selection must be made by the Senior U.S. National Team coach. b. Competed in the sport of Table Tennis at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Table Tennis can be found at http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Table-Tennis |
TAEKWONDO: a. A current top-50 ranking in the World Taekwondo Federation (WTF) Olympic Point Ranking System and meet at least one of the following: (1) Finished top-3 at the U.S. National Team Trials within the past 12 month immediately prior to the date of the WCAP application. (2) Finished in the top-3 at the U.S. National Championships within the past 12 months immediately prior to the date of the WCAP application. (3) Finished in the top-2 at the University National Championships within the past 12 months immediately prior to the date of the WCAP application. (4) Qualified to represent the U.S. at the World Championships, Pan-American Games, or the World University Games within the past 12 months immediately prior to the date of the WCAP application. b. Competed in the sport of Taekwondo at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the WCAP application. More information on the sport of Taekwondo can be found at http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Taekwondo |
TEAM HANDBALL: a. Tried out for and selected to be a member of the U.S. Senior National Team in the 12 months immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application; by-name selection must be made by the Senior U.S. National Team coach. b. Competed in the sport of Team Handball at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Team Handball can be found at http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Team-Handball |
TRACK & FIELD: a. Must meet or exceed the below listed times within the past 12 months immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. Qualifying marks must be made and verifiable in one of the following: USATF or IAAF sanctioned events that prescribe to or exceed USATF competition rules; events at collegiate meets that meet or exceed USATF competition rules. All qualifying marks will be verified.
Men: Women:
100m – 10.16 100m – 11.32 200m – 20.50 200m – 23.20 400m – 45.40 400m – 52.20 800m – 1:46.00 800m – 2:03.00 1500m – 3:38.00 1500m – 4:09.50 5000m – 13:28.00 5000m – 15:25.00 10,000m – 28:15:00 10,000m – 32:25.00 3000m SC – 8:32.00 3000m SC – 9:53.00 110m Hurdles – 13.52 100m Hurdles – 13.00 400m Hurdles – 49.50 400m Hurdles – 56.95 High Jump – 2.28m High Jump – 1.85m Pole Vault – 5.65m Pole Vault – 4.50m Long Jump – 8.05m Long Jump – 6.50m Triple Jump – 16.66m Triple Jump – 13.40m Shot Put – 20.50m Shot Put – 17.60m Discus – 62.00m Discus – 57.00m Hammer – 72.00m Hammer – 67.00m Javelin – 77.00m Javelin – 54.00m Decathlon – 7900 points Heptathlon – 6150 points 20K RW – 1:24:00 20K RW – 1:36:00 50K RW – 4:06:00 50K RW – 4:06:00 Marathon – 2:15:00 Marathon – 2:37:00 b. Competed at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application in one of the above events. More information on the sport of Track & Field can be found at http://www.usatf.org/Home.aspx |
TRIATHLON: a. A current member of the U.S. Senior National Team for Triathlon and eligible for funding from the National Governing Body; by-name selection must be made by the Senior U.S. National Team coach. b Competed in the sport of Triathlon at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Triathlon can be found at http://www.usatriathlon.org |
VOLLEYBALL: a. Tried out for and selected to be a member of the U.S. Senior National Team in the 12 months immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application; by-name selection must be made by the Senior U.S. National Team coach. b. Competed in the sport of Volleyball at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Volleyball can be found at http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Volleyball |
WATER POLO: a. Tried out for and selected to be a member of the U.S. Senior National Team in the 12 months immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application; by-name selection must be made by the Senior U.S. National Team coach. b. Competed in the sport of Water Polo at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Water Polo can be found at http://www.usawaterpolo.org/ |
WEIGHT LIFTING (OLYMPIC STYLE): a. A current member of the U.S. Senior National Team for Olympic Style Weightlifting and eligible for funding from the National Governing Body; by-name selection must be made by the Senior U.S. National Team coach. b. Qualified for any team to represent the U.S. at a Senior World Championship, Pan-American Games, or World University Games within the past 12 months immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. c. Competed in the sport of Olympic Weightlifting at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Olympic Weightlifting can be found at http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Weightlifting |
WRESTLING: Greco-Roman Wrestling / Men’s Freestyle Wrestling a. Currently hold a top-3 rank on the USA Wrestling rankings for senior wrestlers. b. Finished in the top-2 at the University National Championships within the past 12 months prior to the WCAP application. c. Finished in the top-2 at the NCAA or NJCAA National Championships within the past 24 months prior to the WCAP application. d. Finished in the top-5 of a class “A” wrestling tournament within the past 12 months prior to the WCAP application. e. Competed in the sport of Greco-Roman or Men’s Freestyle Wrestling at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. Women’s Freestyle Wrestling a. Currently hold a top-3 rank in an Olympic weight class on the USA Wrestling rankings for senior wrestlers. b. Finished in the top-2 at the University or FILA Junior National Championships within the past 12 months prior to the WCAP application. c. Finished in the top-2 at the NCWA National Championships within the past 24 months prior to the WCAP application. d. Finished in the top-3 of a class “A” wrestling tournament within the past 12 months prior to the WCAP application. e. Competed in the sport of Women’s Freestyle Wrestling at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Wrestling can be found at http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Wrestling |
2022 WINTER OLYMPIC SPORTS:
BIATHLON: a. A current member of the U.S. Senior National Biathlon Team and eligible for funding from the National Governing Body; by-name selection must be made by the Senior U.S. National Team coach. b. Competed in the sport of Biathlon at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Biathlon can be found at http://www.teamusa.org/US-Biathlon |
BOBSLED: a. A current member of the U.S. Senior National Bobsled Team and eligible for funding from the National Governing Body; by-name selection must be made by the Senior U.S. National Team coach. b. Competed in the sport of Bobsled at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Bobsled can be found at http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Bobsled-Skeleton-Federation |
CURLING: a. A current member of the U.S. Senior National Curling Team and eligible for funding from the National Governing Body; by-name selection must be made by the Senior U.S. National Team coach. b. Competed in the sport of Curling at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Curling can be found at http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Curling |
FIGURE SKATING: a. A current member of the U.S. Senior National Figure Skating Team and eligible for funding from the National Governing Body; by-name selection must be made by the Senior U.S. National Team coach. b. Competed in the sport of Figure Skating at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Figure Skating can be found at http://www.usfsa.org |
LUGE: a. A current member of the U.S. Senior National Luge Team and eligible for funding from the National Governing Body; by-name selection must be made by the Senior U.S. National Team coach. b. Competed in the sport of Luge at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Luge can be found at http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Luge |
SKELETON: a. A current member of the U.S. Senior National Skeleton Team and eligible for funding from the National Governing Body; by-name selection must be made by the Senior U.S. National Team coach. b. Competed in the sport of Skeleton at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Skeleton can be found at http://www.teamusa.org/USA-Bobsled-Skeleton-Federation |
SKI & SNOWBOARD: a. A current member of the U.S. Senior Ski or Snowboard National Team and eligible for funding from the National Governing Body; by-name selection must be made by the Senior U.S. National Team coach. b. Competed in the sport of Skiing or Snowboarding at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Ski & Snowboard can be found at http://ussa.org/ |
SPEEDSKATING: a. A current member of the U.S. Senior Speedskating National Team and eligible for funding from the National Governing Body; by-name selection must be made by the Senior U.S. National Team coach. b. Competed in the sport of Speedskating at the Olympic Games held immediately prior to the date of the Soldier’s WCAP application. More information on the sport of Speedskating can be found at http://www.teamusa.org/US-Speedskating |