Naval Academy Preparatory School

The Naval Academy Preparatory School or NAPS is the preparatory school for the United States Naval Academy. NAPS is located on a hill at Naval Station Newport, Rhode Island. The mission of the Naval Academy Preparatory School is "To enhance Midshipman Candidates' moral, mental, and physical foundations to prepare them for success at the United States Naval Academy". The student body, which is organized as a Battalion is divided into three Companies which are then divided into two Platoons each. Each platoon from there is divided into four squads in order to carry out orders with effective results. While the students attend the NAPS they hold the rank of an E-1 which is the equivalent of a Seaman Recruit, but they claim the title of a Midshipman Candidate. A common nickname for a Midshipmen Candidates is "NAPSter".

History
The Naval Academy Preparatory School is the Navy’s fourth oldest school; only the Naval War College, the Naval Postgraduate School, and the Naval Academy are older. Informal preparatory classes began as early as 1915.

In 1918, the Secretary of the Navy Josephus Daniels signed a provision to have up to 100 sailors from the fleet to be eligible for entry to the Academy. Due to the difficult nature of the Naval Academy's entrance examination, then Undersecretary of the Navy Franklin D. Roosevelt also allowed for a school to be founded to prepare Sailors and Marines for entry.

The first official classes were established at Naval Station, Newport and Naval Station, San Francisco in 1920. A year later the schools were moved to Norfolk, VA and San Diego, CA. San Diego classes were disestablished and NAPS classes remained solely in Norfolk until 1942, when the new Naval Academy Preparatory School opened in Newport, RI.

In early 1943, NAPS moved to the Bainbridge Naval Training Center, a facility of several hundred acres located above the Susquehanna River, some 40 miles northeast of Baltimore, MD. NAPS returned to Newport while the Bainbridge Center was temporarily inactive during a 15-month period around1950. When Bainbridge was reactivated in 1951 because of the Korean War, the preparatory school returned to Maryland. In August 1974, NAPS returned to its permanent home in Newport.

In the 1970s, civilian applicants began to be considered for entry and women were first admitted to NAPS in 1975 following congressional authorization of women to attend all service academies.

In 1979, NAPS began preparing prospective Coast Guard Academy students. The Coast Guard Academy in New London, CT, selected students for assignment to NAPS.

In 2006, The Naval Academy Preparatory School named their newly built dormitory in honor of alumnus Colonel John Ripley. Ripley Hall is located on 440 Meyerkord Ave in Newport Rhode Island.

In 2008, The Coast Guard Academy stopped sending Cadets to NAPS.

Admissions
It was once possible for enlisted sailors and Marines to apply directly to NAPS for admission. However in the late 1980s, NAPS was brought under the authority of the USNA Superintendent and the admissions process was unified. Since then, students must apply for admission directly to the U.S. Naval Academy. Those students who are deemed qualified but who may require an extra year of preparation may be offered an appointment to NAPS. Selected civilian applicants offered admission to NAPS enlist in the Navy as E-1's without the ability to advance. They do not go through bootcamp, and at the end of the school year will be separated from the service. At Indoctrination day (I-Day) at the Naval Academy, those "NAPSters" will sign another obligation as Midshipmen. The "prior" enlisted (though in reality, they are still enlisted until I-Day) will continue their obligation until at the Academy, a new contract is drawn.

To gain admission to the United States Naval Academy upon graduation, Midshipman Candidates must have a GPA above 2.2, no failing grade in any subject, meet the body fat standards, pass the Physical Readiness Test (PRT), improving or sustained course grades and SAT scores, favorable conduct and honor aptitude, and get a favorable recommendation from the Commanding Officer.

Course of Instruction
During the first three weeks upon reporting, Midshipman Candidates complete an indoctrination period to introduce them to a military life. All midshipmen candidates complete a standard course of study&mdash;calculus, physics, chemistry, and English&mdash; as well as non-core classes such as Information Technology, SAT preparation, and Learning Skills, in order to help them increase their knowledge and competitiveness at the United States Naval Academy. The academic year is divided into three trimesters. Varsity athletics are also offered, with encouragement of non-recruits to walk on a sport. Throughout the academic year the battalion of Midshipman Candidates take multiple Battalion-wide trips, including attending the Army Navy football game and a trip to New York City. Towards the end of this period(Indoc) the Midshipman Candidates take placement tests, based on how well the Midshipman Candidates do, they are placed in either foundation, intermediate, or advanced classes. Midshipmen candidates are also offered the opportunity to receive extra instruction during an E.I. (Extra Instruction) and study period. During the E.I. period, which starts immediate after the last class, professors and tutors are available for further academic help. While in Study period, which begins after evening meal, only tutors are available. These two time frames are used at the discretion of the students as long as it is academically oriented.

Stripers
In the battalion of midshipmen candidates there exists a "striper" chain of command. The midshipmen candidates which hold these positions of authority are called "stripers" because they wear collar devices with the amount of stripes that are assigned to each position. Stripers are selected by the military staff and serve the term of one marking period, after which they rotate out with new midshipmen candidates. The sole responsibility of a striper is to take accountability, they are otherwise equal to other midshipmen candidates.