<p>Hey everyone, I was just wondering if anyone has any stories of the things that go on at NAPS. I was just recently offered a slot there and I'm really eager to learn about life at NAPs. I read on some website (I think it was a NAPS parents website) that life at NAPS is very lax when compared to Plebe life, so much that you can own personal items like cd players and whatnot, drive a car, rent a room at a bachelor barracks etc etc. Is there any truth in this? Does any NAPSster, current or former, have any stories you would like to share?</p>
<p>My stories no longer apply as well as before seeing as they have moved the Battalion over to Perry Hall.</p>
<p>Basically, however, what you say is true except for the room rental. Perry Hall IS the barracks, and a fine site better than Nimitz Hall was in my day.</p>
<p>And while the year may have been more lax than Plebe Year, Indoc was a nightmare compare to Plebe Summer.</p>
<p>But hey, this was 21 years ago...</p>
<p>Spectrez, my son's @ NAPS and while I'm not sure I'd use the word "lax," after the first couple months it's not as restrictive as USNA (that's his impression and mine -- of course, neither of us has attended USNA). </p>
<p>Kids can have CD players (w/ limits on their use) @ NAPS, and they can keep cars parked off base for use during leave and liberty. They earn leave and liberty gradually, w/ performance, but again, not as restrictive as the academy. Like the academy, when somebody screws up badly, everybody usually pays. </p>
<p>I'm consistently impressed by the active duty experts NAPS brings in for briefings on career specialties and opportunities. The whole batallion gets a weekend @ the academy, goes to the Army-Navy f'ball game, and is going to NYC next week. Classes are small, and academics are demanding but doable, w/ lots of EI available. NAPSters test into one of three levels for all classes: Foundation, Intermediate or Advanced. All take English, Calculus, Physics and Chemistry. </p>
<p>Son was SCUBA qualified in the fall and is loving a very rigorous optional program called MCAP for NAPSters who want to learn more about the USMC. (This is hard for a mother to understand: crawling around in the snow @ 0530 because you WANT to? Getting shot in the eyes w/ military grade pepper spray, then running an O-course?) I think part of the appeal of MCAP is his perception that during the year, PT could be tougher. It was rough during Indoc but not impossible (he's not on a NAPS team -- athletes have challenging practice schedules). Son LOVES learning from prior enlisted @ NAPS, and he worships their USMC gunnery sgt.</p>
<p>My son's told me some hilarious stories but I think he wouldn't like me to share those; NAPSters love their pranks. Yes, they can rent a room at a facility there (it's not the BOQ -- I forget the name) but I understand they're tough to get. Reservations are taken something like 12 or 24 hours in advance to anybody on the whole base. </p>
<p>Early drop-outs seem to be candidates who don't get "how military" it is (some athletes apparently claimed that they were misled about this, a rationale that's hard to understand). Later drop-outs seem to be those w/ academic troubles. Sprinkled through both periods are a behavioral issues. </p>
<p>What else can I tell you? PM me if you want. Are you accepted @ NAPS, or just curious?</p>
<p>NothernCalMother, thanks for your input. And while I haven't been accepted to NAPS yet, I did receive the blue folder this afternoon, informing me of my offer of acceptance, and from the things I've read, it seems like NAPSters have it pretty good- extra year to mature academically and physically (and boy do I need that!) and 200 or so friends right off the bat when you arrive for I-Day at the Yard. I can't wait!</p>
<p>I'm kind of disappointed they don't have water polo at NAPS though (at least I didn't see it on the list of offered sports at the NAPS website). For a nationally ranked team (Navy's number 13 I believe), I'd love to get in a year of conditioning so I can at least be picked to be 4th string JV! Does anyone know of any club teams that play at NAPS or anyway a NAPSter can play water polo once you're there?</p>
<p>Spectrez, I emailed my NAPSter about water polo and here's what he said:</p>
<p><<It's my understanding that there is no water polo club team currently.
However, there is a swimming team that meets as a club sport. The fact
that there are no club water polo teams tied to NAPS does not mean that
there is no opportunity for club water polo.</p>
<p>I have a friend that wanted to play indoor soccer after the NAPS
season, so he organized interested students and figured out how to
collaborate with local leagues. He has already played a couple of games.
Another example, this is the first year of MCAP. There is a movement
order every Wednesday morning for PT and we hold classroom sessions once
or twice a week during personal time. In April, MCAP will be
participating in an event at Camp Edwards that will require a four day
movement order. There is no reason why MCAP couldn't be a club water
polo team that meets three times a week and concludes the 'season' with
a four day tournament trip to Boston. There is potential for NAPS club
water polo if there are interested students that look into what's
available in the area.</p>
<p>Students here put in special request chits and movement orders all the
time for organized snow board trips, mountain climbing, and scuba
diving. Approved activities are taken very seriously by the staff.
Students are allowed to pursue activities and club sports as far as they
so desire, provided that their requests have been proposed to and
approved by the chain of command. Overall, the students have to bring in
the will and the energy to make things happen.>></p>
<p>Hope that's helpful.</p>
<p>Oh wow thats great! Maybe I can start a water polo club at NAPS. Thanks NorthernCalMother</p>
<p>spectrez589 u got a blue folder? I got my letter of intent a while back and i didnt get a folder that sounds cool :(</p>
<p>Anyone know if the new M/C's are "welcomed" in the bilges, still?</p>
<p>Yeah I got a blue folder. Try asking your BGO about your status. Maybe he can give you some information on your current standing. I know- the wait sucks.</p>
<p>Oh and I have a question concerning NAPS: Do you still need a nomination from a congressman or senator? I've heard that successful completion of NAPS and a recommendation from the NAPS commander is good enough. How does this all work?</p>
<p>Also, what is "successful completion" anyway? Is successful completion just a 2.0 GPA with no F's? Also, what if your a civilian candidate and you flunk. Would you have to enlist for a bit?</p>
<p>Furthermore, who are the cadre at NAPS is you're only there for one year?</p>
<p>Lastly, I heard that NAPS uniforms are very similar, if not identical, to the Midshipman's uniforms at the Academy. Would you be able to use your NAPS uniforms minus the NAPS pin at the Academy or would you have to buy a whole new uniform set?</p>
<p>i already got into naps, so im not really waiting on anything besides some medical stuff. As for the folder i never got it. I just got a letter of intent that asked me if i wanted to attend. </p>
<p>You are supposed to try and get another nomination from your senator or congressman, but if not the NAPS commander will give you one.</p>
<p>I heard that all you need is a 2.0, but I would think that this would include no failed classes.</p>
<p>As to the other questions Im wondering myself....</p>
<p>Successful completion for USNA candidates means 2.0, no F's and recomendation from the staff (which, as I understand it, means no significant behavior problems). Cadre during Indoc are ensigns who just grad'd USNA. The rest of the year it's staff, plus a USMC Gunnery Sergeant who this year is right out of Central Casting. Yes, uniforms are very similar to USNA but as I understand it, just a couple minor pieces translate to the Academy. You have to buy all new stuff. NAPSters seem eager to spend the money (remember, you're paid @ NAPS) because they want the real thing. I've heard former NAPSters say it's a bit of an advantage because they grew/reshaped @ Newport. Direct admits need major tailoring to their USNA uniforms because their bodies change so much between admission and graduation. If you want to see NAPS uniforms, go to Photo Pages on parents' page of naps.edu.</p>
<p>I should know the answer to "what's your military commitment if you flunk out?" but I forget. I think you've signed on for Reserves when you're sworn in. My kid's so gung ho, and doing so well, that I've managed to lose that piece of info (if he were kicked out, he'd want to go into some OCS/NROTC so it would be a nonissue). </p>
<p>It feels strange to be responding to questions when I always look to this site for my own answers.</p>
<p>Hey everyone, I now have a new question concerning NAPS. I heard that you get placement tests early during the year so NAPS can guage where you are and help you get where you need to be. Ok now here's my sitatuon: I was found academically qualified for West Point and today, received word from my Congressman that my offer of appointment packet will be mailed out today. However, as you may already know, I was offerred an appointment to NAPS. Now my question is, seeing that I was found academically qualified for West Point, I can only further infer that I'm really close to being academically qualified for USNA. With that being said, would it be possible to graduate from NAPS early, maybe being able to continue at USNA with the class of 2011 instead of waiting until entering with the class of 2012? Has anyone heard of someone with an experience such as this?</p>
<p>I haven't heard of this, but I'm no expert. Timing seems problematic, though. This year NAPS I-Day was early Aug., which is about the end of plebe summer. NAPS placement tests were given soon after arrival, but ... how could you skip plebe summer?</p>
<p>spectrez589:
[quote]
...I was found academically qualified for West Point and today, received word from my Congressman that my offer of appointment packet will be mailed out today. However, as you may already know, I was offerred an appointment to NAPS. Now my question is, seeing that I was found academically qualified for West Point, I can only further infer that I'm really close to being academically qualified for USNA....
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Being found academically qualified for West Point does not mean that you are "close" to being academically qualified for USNA. You need to remember that the Naval Academy is the most selective of the service academies.</p>
<p>You now need to make a choice: attend NAPS for a year then enter the Naval Academy with the Class of 2012 or accept an appointment to the West Point Class of 2011. Choose wisely - one year of NAPS plus four years at USNA or four years at West Point; that's your choice.</p>
<p>
[quote]
With that being said, would it be possible to graduate from NAPS early, maybe being able to continue at USNA with the class of 2011 instead of waiting until entering with the class of 2012? Has anyone heard of someone with an experience such as this?
[/quote]
</p>
<p>Definitely NOT. You would have to enter with USNA 2012. No short cuts.</p>
<p>Well, let me answer some of the simpler questions....</p>
<p>First, there is no cadre at NAPS once Indoc is over. The M/C's govern themselves, as it were. Stripers are selected by the CO and his staff, and they fill the role of "upperclassmen", although they didn't get any special privleges other than, say, extra time on the phone. What those benefits may be today will have to be answered by someone more closely in the know.</p>
<p>Unless they've changed things, NAPS is divided into three trimesters. A new group of stripers is chosen for each.</p>
<p>To graduate NAPS is very similar to graduating USNA. You must have a 2.0 overall GPA with no F's, you must pass the AST/PRT (or whatever they call it these days), and you must be found sat in overall peformance.</p>
<p>When I was in, we were allowed to park our cars down on the grinder behind K-61 near the Bay. Don't know if they allow that, still. I didn't have a car at the time, and I didn't really find myself wanting or needing one.</p>
<p>I have no idea what rooms can be rented. The only option I can think of is the BEQ, and I fail to see why anyone would want to. But hey, times change.</p>
<p>As for West Point vs. Annapolis, just because one said yes means nothing about what the other will say. They each have separate pools of candidates and separate criteria. You need to decie where you want to go. If you have been offered an appointment to NAPS, then I wouldn't expect an appointment to USNA because the two are mutually exclusive (unless the Admissions Board has gone totally loopy).</p>
<p>As for uniforms, yes, some of the uniforms we had at NAPS were transferable to USNA. In our day we wore dixie-cup covers, enlisted peacoats, and our SDB's were Cracker Jacks. Obviously those didn't transfer, but our school uniforms served well as (in the day) WUBA. The gloves I bought at NAPS in 1986 are still being worn this very day. They were infinitely better than those issued at USNA because they are lined with rabbit fur. Problem was, these are black and USNA gloves are grey (again, assuming no changes). </p>
<p>No matter what you can transfer, be careful doing so. Wearing different-color gloves may be fine for an upperclassman, but not for a Plebe. We NAPSters, of course, used to love tweaking our noses at the upperclassmen, so we wore our WUBA trou with pockets (from NAPS) when USNA had issued us drill trou (which had no pockets). Made for an occaissional interesting come-around. ;)</p>
<p>That's what I've got to offer from over here. Let me know if I can answer anything else.</p>
<ul>
<li>Z</li>
</ul>
<p>Re: Uniforms: Son @ NAPS sez:
<< The things that you can reuse next year at the Academy are your
leathers, your boots, your BDUs (if you get them and get the name tapes
on them, i.e. the camouflage uniform), your coveralls (if you get the
name tapes on them, it's kind of a one piece jumpsuit), your
service dress blues (they will need some minor alterations and
additional collar devices), your Eisenhower coat, your all weather coat,
your scarf, your leather gloves, and I may be forgetting something but
that is a pretty complete list. Next year I plan on buying all
new uniform components. Not to waste money, but getting fitted
for new service dress blues only means that you have an additional coat
if something happens to the other one. As much as you wear these
uniforms it's a good idea to have 'spare parts.'>></p>
<p>Well..... It would seem they have definitely changed the uniform issue up in Newport. Excellent!</p>
<p>While I am certainly proud that I once legitimately wore Cracker Jacks and dixie cups, I'll be damned if I say that I prefer them to my Mid/Officer uniforms.</p>
<p>BTW, does NAPS still issue Banana Suits?</p>
<p>If you have to ask "What's that?", then the answer is "No", which would really be a shame. I still have mine as a prized possession. We used to LOVE wearing those around Bancroft as a trophy of our NAPS pedigree.</p>
<p>lol sorry Zaphod, but what are banana suits?</p>
<p>Oh and I have a new question: I've already been offered an appointment to NAPS, but they never saw my January 2007 SAT score, since they only came out today online and will be mailed out in a few days. I worked on what I needed to fix and came out with a 670 in math (my highest math before this was 560 and my BGO said my math score was bringing me down. I already had a 630 in creative reading on another test). Well, with this new information, would it be possible to still receive an appointment to USNA with the class of 2011 or is my file closed regardless and getting to USNA through NAPS is the only way to go?</p>
<p>Oh and yes, I've already contacted my BGO and regional officer on this issue. I'll keep you posted.</p>