The Naval Academy Preparatory School or NAPS is the preparatory school for the United States Naval Academy. NAPS is located on 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".
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 United States Naval Training Center, Bainbridge, a facility of several hundred acres located above the Susquehanna River, some 40 miles (64Â km) northeast of Baltimore, Maryland. NAPS returned to Newport while the Bainbridge Center was temporarily inactive during a 15-month period around 1950. 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.
From 1915 to the year 1968 NAPS was exclusively for Sailors and Marines who were of "Officer Caliber" but lacked the academic foundation for the rigors at The United States Naval Academy. In 1968 The first male "Direct Entries" were admitted to NAPS. Following the congressional authorization of women to attend all service academies, women were admitted in 1976.
Although NAPS primarily serves as an institution to prepare Midshipman candidates to attend The United States Naval Academy; from the years 1958 to 2008 and again from 2016 to present-day, it began to prepare Cadet candidates for the United States Air Force Academy (1958â€"1961), the United States Coast Guard Academy (1979â€"2008, 2016-2017) and from 1991 to 2004 Midshipman candidates for the United States Merchant Marine Academy.
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 Avenue in Newport, Rhode Island.
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 Induction 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. At the beginning of the three-week period, the midshipman candidates are stripped of all electrical devices and hair (males only). During this time period, they are issued one pair of Navy Working Uniform (NWUs), two pairs of black trousers, three pairs of black, short sleeve shirts commonly called "Johnny Cash's," PT gear, and two covers, one NWU 8-point cover, and one more formal Combination Cover. Later on, they receive Service Dress Blues, Parka Liner, Parka, Rain Coat, and Eisenhower coats. All throughout the three weeks they are required to memorize a modified version of reef points, drill, as well as PT(physical training) from 0430 to 2100. These three weeks are run by seniors from the Naval Academy trying to enhance their leadership skills and fulfill one of their cruises for the summer. Towards the end of this period the Midshipman Candidates take placement tests, and based on how well the midshipman candidates do, they are placed in either foundation, intermediate, or advanced classes. All midshipmen candidates complete a standard course of studyâ€"English, Physics, Chemistry, and Mathâ€" as well as non-core classes such as an ACT preparation class, Learning Skills class, and an Ace Reader class in order to help them increase their knowledge and competitiveness at the United States Naval Academy.
A typical day at NAPS starts with Midshipman Candidates marching to Ney Hall Galley shortly after a 0600 reveille for chow. Morning formation commences at 0725 then the Midshipman Candidates take off to class. They go to school until 1410, unless changes due to tests or other events delay until 1435, then Extra Instruction period begins. During the E.I. period, which starts immediately after the last class, professors and tutors are available for further academic help. Midshipmen candidates are then offered a two-hour "sports period" after the E.I. period, during which the athletes practice for their respective sport. Students that are not on a sports team are encouraged to work out on their own, unless they are on remedial physical training (PT) for failing the physical readiness test (PRT). Those students on remedial PT work out with the battalion drill instructor in order to prepare for the PRT. After sports period, Midshipman Candidates go to chow then immediately start a 2-hour and 45 minute study period. Midshipman Candidates are required to be academically productive. They can either stay inside their Ripley Hall Room or study with the tutors that are provided until 2200 when their academic day ends. Finally, from 2145â€"2215 is personal time for the Midshipman Candidates followed by a 2215 taps call to go to bed.
Throughout the academic year the battalion of Midshipman Candidates take multiple Battalion-wide trips, including a trip to New York City. Naval Station Newport is home to the Naval War College, and many successful officers from different branches and different levels of seniority, many of whom are guest speakers during the Military Instruction periods. These C.D.M.I periods typically replace E.I on Fridays.
Organization
The student body, which is organized as a battalion, is divided into three companies, which are then divided into two platoons. Each platoon is divided into four squads in order to carry out orders with effective results. While attending NAPS, all midshipman candidates are in active duty military status, holding the rank of Midshipman Candidate, equivalent to the Navy's Seaman Recruit, at the enlisted pay grade of E-1, although this is significantly reduced in an effort to allocate funds into the Battalion Activity Fund (BAF) and to pay off all debts owed due for issued uniforms and miscellaneous items. The BAF is used to pay for physical fitness clothing and equipment, textbooks and various student activity expenses, such as the Army-Navy game, Graduation Ball and the like. A common nickname for a Midshipmen Candidates is "NAPSter".
Within the battalion there exists a midshipman candidate led chain of command. The midshipmen candidates holding positions of authority are called "stripers", because they wear collar devices with the number 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 responsibilities of stripers are: delegating orders from the senior military staff to the students, taking accountability of the battalion, writing the watchbill for other students, organizing their respective companies and platoons for each event the midshipmen candidates attend, and maintaining general cleanliness of Ripley Hall.
Athletics
- Baseball (currently there is no organized team at NAPS but there are individuals recruited to play on the varsity Naval Academy team the following year)
- Men's Basketball
- Women's Basketball (currently there is no organized team at NAPS but there are individuals recruited to play on the varsity Naval Academy team the following year)
- Lacrosse
- Football
- Wrestling
- Track and Field
- Cross Country
- Rifling (currently there is no organized team at NAPS but there are individuals recruited to play on the varsity Naval Academy team the following year)
- Softball (currently there is no organized team at NAPS but there are individuals recruited to play on the varsity Naval Academy team the following year)
- Volleyball (currently there is no organized team at NAPS but there are individuals recruited to play on the varsity Naval Academy team the following year)
- Soccer (currently there is no organized team at NAPS but there are individuals recruited to play on the varsity Naval Academy team the following year)
Distinguished graduatesâ€"Medal of Honor recipients
- 2nd Lieutenant Robert D. Reem, USMC, NAPS 1944, Korean War
- 1st Lieutenant Frank S. Reasoner, USMC, NAPS 1958, Vietnam War
- Captain Lance P. Sijan, USAF, NAPS 1961, Vietnam War
Alumni
- Rear Admiral Charles C. Kirkpatrick, USN, NAPS 1927, Superintendent, USNA, 1962-1964
- Colonel John Ripley, USMC (ret.) NAPS 1958
- General Michael J. Williams, USMC (ret.), NAPS 1963, Assistant Commandant USMC
- General John R. Allen, USMC (ret.), NAPS 1972
- Admiral Samuel J. Locklear, III, USN, NAPS 1973, Commander U.S. Pacific Command
- Television host Montel Williams, NAPS 1976
- Rear Admiral Peter Gumataotao, USN, NAPS 1977, Commander Naval Surface Force Atlantic
- Rear Admiral Tim Szymanski, USN, NAPS 1981, slated to command Naval Special Warfare Command in 2016.
- Captain Christopher J. Cassidy, USN, NAPS 1989, NASA Astronaut
- Vice Admiral Robert Harward, USN (ret.), NAPS 1975, Deputy Commander, USCENTCOM
References
External links
- Naval Academy Preparatory School's official website
- United States Naval Academy's official website
- United States Coast Guard Academy's official website