The Normandy Passage
Admissions FAQs
This page answers the questions we hear most often about who can enroll, fitness and readiness, payments, refunds, and what life actually feels like on the ground in Normandy. It is a plain language guide and does not replace the formal terms you sign in the packet. If you still have questions after reading, the DLA team will talk it through with you.
You can jump straight to the answers that matter most to you: who can enroll and how cohorts are structured, what fitness and conduct standards you are expected to meet, and how payments, refunds, and transfers work for your chosen seat.
Who Can Enroll
Who can enroll in The Normandy Passage
The Normandy Passage is open to youth and adults who meet the age and fitness standards and who are ready for a seven day leadership crucible on historic ground. Enrollees choose a seat type and cohort and agree to the published standards, conduct expectations, and refund policies before payment.
What seat types are available
There are four seat types. Father and Son pair. Mother and Daughter pair. Committed Adult Pair where both are adults. Solo Adult where one adult is matched with another adult under the Solo 18 plus Matching Policy.
What are the age ranges for youth and adults
Youth in parent and child pairs are generally fourteen to twenty four at the time of the course. Solo Adults and both members of a Committed Adult Pair must be eighteen or older. Scholarship programs for younger students use a different application process.
Are mother and daughter pairs or non traditional families welcome
Yes. The program is built for parent or guardian and child pairs and for committed adult pairs, not one specific family structure. However, we do not run mixed sex cohorts, and the current pilot runs are male only. Mother and daughter and female cohort offerings will be announced separately once those pilot courses are ready.
Can I attend alone as an adult
Yes, but only through the Solo Adult seat type. Solo Adults must be eighteen or older and are always matched in vetted pairs under the Solo 18 plus Matching Policy. Your seat is marked pending until a safe and appropriate match is confirmed.
Can people from outside the United States enroll
Yes. Participants from other countries are welcome. You are responsible for your passport, visas, and any travel documents needed to enter France and return home. The course is currently delivered only in English, and your command of English must be strong enough to understand instructions and safety briefings without a translator. All participants must still meet the same age, fitness, and conduct standards. Additional language offerings may be added in the future but are not available yet.
Fitness and Standards
How fit do I need to be to attend
You need enough base fitness to move on foot, under light load, for up to ten miles in a day on mixed terrain, with no single movement block longer than about seven miles. You also need to be able to shuffle at about a twelve minute mile pace and handle repeated movements over the week.
What are the minimum physical standards
On the ground you will attempt a simple Physical Standards Test. Minimums are forty five push ups in two minutes, forty five sit ups in two minutes, forty five air squats in two minutes, dead hang pull ups six for men and three for women, and a one mile run in boots and utility pants in twelve minutes or less.
What if I am not there yet when I enroll
Most people are not “course ready” on the day they sign up. Your tuition includes a sixty day prep plan built for the demands of The Normandy Passage and three mentor calls start, one month, and final prep. You are expected to train toward the standard before arrival.
Is this like BUDS or special operations selection
No. This is a demanding leadership crucible with real hardship and disciplined routines, but it is not a selection course. The aim is to push you, not break you. Cadre scale pace, load, and corrections to age and ability while protecting the standard and the safety of the cohort.
What conduct standards should I expect
Phones are secured from Day One until the morning of Day Seven. You will stand inspections, respond promptly to cadre, accept simple on the spot corrections such as short sets of push ups, and carry yourself with quiet bearing at sacred sites and in the local community. Harassment, hazing, bullying, and grandstanding are not tolerated.
Will I be sleeping in tents or in the house
Both. Early in the course you sleep in GP Medium tents on cots with a watch rotation. As the week goes on and standards are met, comfort is earned and you move into bunks in the charity house before final days and capstone.
What is the phone policy
Participant phones are collected at the start, secured, and returned on Day Seven except for supervised use in specific moments. Parents and loved ones will receive clear contact routes for emergencies.
Payments and Refunds
How much does The Normandy Passage cost
Tuition is a single course fee per seat that covers the program in Normandy, ground transport in country, lodging, most meals, issued kit, museum entries, and course materials. Exact pricing for each cohort and seat type is listed on the Admissions and Apply pages.
What does my tuition include and what is extra
Tuition covers the seven day program on the ground, including lodging, most meals, ground transport in Normandy, museum and site fees, issued kit, and instruction. You are responsible for airfare and travel to and from France, travel insurance, passports and visas, and any personal purchases.
Do I pay a deposit or the full amount up front
At enrollment you choose either a deposit only or full tuition. If you pay the deposit, the remaining balance is charged by the Balance Due date for your cohort under the Refunds, Transfers and Credits Policy.
When is the balance due
Each cohort has a published Balance Due date on the Admissions and Apply pages. On that date any unpaid balance is charged to the card used at enrollment. After this point, refund options narrow because DLA has committed fixed costs for your seat.
What is the refund policy
Refunds are based on how far you are from your cohort start date when you cancel and whether you are before or after the Balance Due date. Earlier cancellations generally allow more of your tuition to be refunded or credited. The Refunds, Transfers and Credits Policy shows the exact timelines and percentages.
What happens if DLA cancels a cohort
If DLA cancels a cohort outright for operational reasons, you will be offered a full refund or a clear set of transfer and credit options. You are not left paying for a course that does not run.
Can I move to a different cohort after enrolling
Sometimes. Inside the transfer window you can usually move to another published cohort if space allows, with your payments applied forward. After that window closes, transfer requests are treated like cancellations and follow the refund schedule for your original cohort. The Waitlist and Cohort Transfer Policy explains the details.
What is included and what do I need to bring
What is included in my tuition
Your tuition covers the full seven day program in Normandy. That includes instruction from Special Forces veteran cadre, lodging in tents and then the charity house when earned, most meals, ground transport in Normandy, museum and site fees, issued kit, and course materials.
What uniform or kit is issued
You will be issued a simple historic style field uniform and training kit for use during the course. That includes items like a WWII style utility jacket and trousers and basic field gear tied to the curriculum. You also receive selected “keep kit” such as DLA branded apparel, your waterproof journal, and Normandy Passage insignia like your pin, certificate, and coin.
What gear is loaned and must be returned
Loaned gear includes your historic style uniform pieces and any field equipment issued specifically for training such as helmet, webbing, and navigation tools. These items must be returned at closeout. Normal wear is expected. Fees apply only for loss or damage caused by negligence, not ordinary use.
What do I need to bring from home
You bring your own broken in boots, personal clothing layers, basic toiletries, and any items listed on the official packing list. For long mileage on roads and hard surfaces, we recommend the Nike SFB B2 Men’s boots, but you may wear any suitable boot you already own as long as it is broken in before arrival. You do not need to buy tactical gear; the program supplies the field kit you need.
Are phones and personal electronics allowed
Phones are collected early in the course, secured, and returned on Day Seven except for specific supervised use. Small cameras and other electronics follow the same rules. Parents and loved ones receive a clear contact plan for emergencies.
What happens if I pack something that is not on the list
Items that are not on the official packing list may be held by staff for the duration of the course and returned at the end. This keeps the experience focused, fair, and safe for everyone.
Travel and Logistics
Do you book my flights to and from France
No. You are responsible for booking and paying for your own travel to and from France, including flights, trains, and any overnight stops. DLA publishes a clear report window and dismissal time so you can plan your itinerary.
Where do we meet on Day One
Each cohort has a designated link up point and time, usually in or near Sainte Mère Église. Exact location, timing, and backup instructions are in your admissions packet and reminder emails.
What happens if my travel is delayed
If you are delayed, you must contact DLA as soon as you know there is a problem. Late arrivals may be able to join the course in progress up to a set cutoff, after safety brief and kit issue. Beyond that point, refunds or credits follow the Refunds, Transfers and Credits Policy.
Is travel insurance required
Travel insurance that covers medical care and evacuation in France is strongly recommended and may be required by the time you enroll. You are responsible for any medical or travel costs that insurance does not cover.
Do I need a passport or visa
es. You need a valid passport and, if applicable, any visas or authorizations required for your nationality to enter France and return home. DLA cannot obtain travel documents on your behalf.
Are airport transfers included
Ground transport is included from the designated link up point for the course onward. Getting yourself to that link up point and back from the dismissal point is your responsibility unless your cohort materials say otherwise.
Safety, Safeguarding and Supervision
How are students and adults supervised on the ground
Participants are supervised by a mix of Special Forces veteran cadre and trained staff who understand both the history and the safeguarding standards. Movement, tents, house, and museum time all follow clear supervision rules. One to one situations are limited and meetings happen in visible spaces.
What is your approach to safety in Normandy
Safety starts with standards and planning. Routes, timings, vehicles, and museum visits are planned in advance. Cadre adjust pace, load, and objectives when conditions change. Historic sites such as cemeteries, churches, and memorials are treated as sanctuaries, not training spaces, and local rules are followed.
How do you handle safeguarding for minors
All adults who work with youth complete background checks and safeguarding training before the course. Tent and bunk assignments follow age and safeguarding rules. Boundaries on physical contact, language, and social media are clear and enforced. Any concern is taken seriously and escalated through a documented chain.
Who are the cadre and staff
Cadre are former or current special operations and military professionals with real leadership and training experience. They are selected not only for their backgrounds but also for their ability to teach, mentor, and protect youth and adult participants in a demanding environment.
What if I have a medical condition or prior injury
You must disclose relevant medical conditions and injuries in your admissions packet. The program is not medical care, but cadre use this information to plan around known risks, adjust load when appropriate, and respond quickly if something goes wrong. You remain responsible for having insurance that works in France.
How are incidents or concerns reported
If something feels wrong you can speak to any cadre member or staff on site. They will escalate through a formal incident reporting process that documents what happened, who was involved, and what action was taken. For serious matters DLA will involve leadership and, where required, local authorities.
Life on the Course
What does a typical day feel like
Days start early with routine, movement, and simple rituals that set the tone. You will move between historic sites, work through guided lessons, complete field tasks with your pair, and finish most evenings with reflection and debrief. It is full, structured, and tiring, but not chaos for its own sake.
How hard is the course really
You will be uncomfortable at times. You will be on your feet, in weather, and under scrutiny from cadre. Sleep is managed, not maximized. But hardship is used with purpose, not as a stunt. The aim is to stretch you to the edge of your capacity while protecting dignity, safety, and learning.
How much time is spent in tents versus the house
Early in the week you sleep in GP Medium tents on cots and stand watch at night. As the cohort proves itself, comfort is earned and you move into bunks in the charity house.
Will I have any downtime
Yes, but not the kind where you disappear into your phone. Downtime is used for recovery, journaling, quiet conversations, and informal coaching from cadre. The course is deliberately paced so you can absorb what you are seeing and not just survive it.
How much of the time is “classroom” versus on the move
Most instruction happens on the ground at the sites themselves, in tents, or in small group huddles, not in rows of desks. There are short indoor sessions for framing, safety briefs, and debriefs, but the core of the course is field based.
How much interaction will I have with my cadre
A lot. Cadre walk the ground with you, lead movements, run drills, sit in on reflections, and give individual feedback. You will be seen and you will be coached, not just processed through a schedule.
Application, Paperwork, and Timelines
How do I actually apply for a seat
You choose your cohort and seat type on the Apply page, confirm you meet the standards, work through the acknowledgments, complete the online form, and pay either the deposit or full tuition. There is no separate essay for paying seats; your packet and mentor calls carry most of the weight.
What paperwork will I need to complete
After enrollment you receive an electronic packet that includes Participant Terms of Enrollment, Code of Conduct and Participant Pledge, Assumption of Risk and Medical Waiver, privacy and data notices, media consent, and, for minors, parent or guardian consent and medical authorization forms. All of this is completed and signed online.
When do I need to have everything finished by
Each cohort has clear deadlines for packet completion and balance payment. All required forms must be signed and your balance must be paid by the published Balance Due date or your seat may be released under the refund and waitlist policies.
Is there an interview as part of admissions
For paying seats, admissions are mostly driven by your online application, standards acknowledgment, and completed packet. Cadre calls are used to coach and prepare you rather than to “screen you out,” unless there is a clear safety or standards concern.
How will I know that everything is confirmed
You will receive confirmation emails when your enrollment is received, when your packet is complete, and when your balance is paid. Once those are in place you are considered fully confirmed for your cohort, subject to Solo matching if you enrolled as a Solo Adult.
Schools, Groups, and Scholarships
Can my school or organization send a group
Yes, but the pilot runs are built around individual pairs and Solo Adults, not full school charters. If you are an educator or administrator interested in future group offerings, you can register your interest through the Contact page and the DLA team will follow up as those dates and formats come online.
Can I use school credit or an honors project for this
Possibly. Some schools may choose to recognize The Normandy Passage as part of an honors, capstone, or independent study project. That decision rests with your school. On request DLA can provide a program summary and confirmation of completion for your records.
Is there a scholarship option for The Normandy Passage
The Normandy Passage page is focused on paying seats. DLA also runs a Student Leadership Scholarship program that fully funds selected students to come to Normandy under a separate application and selection process. Details and timelines for that program are published on the DLA site when scholarship cycles open.
Can donors sponsor specific students or pairs
Yes. Donors can support the scholarship program in general or, in some cases, help fund a specific student, school partner, or cohort. Those arrangements are coordinated directly with DLA so that admissions standards and safeguarding rules remain the same for all participants.
Where should I go if I am only interested in scholarships
If you are not looking for a paying seat and only want to pursue scholarship options, start on the DLA Student Leadership Scholarship page rather than the Normandy Passage Admissions pages. That page will list eligibility, application steps, and deadlines for scholarship candidates.
Still Have Questions
Questions
This page covers the most common admissions questions, but it will never cover every situation. If you are carrying a specific concern about fitness, safety, travel, or whether this is the right year for you and your pair, talk to us. We would rather answer hard questions up front than have you guess.
Can I talk to someone before I decide
Yes. Use the “Talk with the DLA Team” button on the site to schedule a short call. We will walk you through standards, refunds, and what the week actually feels like so you can make a clear decision.
What if I am not sure I am ready this year
You do not need to force it. You can wait for a later cohort, focus on the prep plan, or start with DLA scholarship or adult programs instead. Normandy is not going anywhere. Coming when you are ready matters more than coming fast.
Where can I read the full policies, not just summaries
The Policies page for The Normandy Passage links to the full Refunds, Transfers and Credits Policy, Terms of Enrollment, Solo 18 plus Matching Policy, safeguarding, privacy, and more. Those documents, plus your signed packet, are the controlling versions.
How will I know that everything is confirmed
You will receive confirmation emails when your enrollment is received, when your packet is complete, and when your balance is paid. Once those are in place you are considered fully confirmed for your cohort, subject to Solo matching if you enrolled as a Solo Adult.