To win the Physical Fitness Award, male cadets must run a mile in how many minutes or less?

The requirement for male cadets to win the Physical Fitness Award involves running a mile in a specific time. The correct answer — 8:30 or less — reflects the standard set in JROTC programs that emphasizes endurance and speed as important components of physical fitness. Achieving this time indicates a commendable level of fitness, demonstrating both aerobic capacity and running efficiency, which are crucial for overall physical performance. Meeting or exceeding this time benchmark shows a commitment to physical training and healthy lifestyle choices, aligning with the goals of the JROTC program to develop well-rounded cadets.

The other options reflect times that are less challenging and do not meet the established requirements for this specific award, making them insufficient for this standard of performance.