For the last several years, both of these military-oriented financial companies have offered unsecured career launching loans at USNA, similar to other SA's. Most sea service officers do business with both companies.
Unsecured = loan given on basis of signature, no collateral required to secure the loan and future pay as an O-1. Fixed APR, always well below market rates for an unsecured loan. Amount and APR vary with the market for any given loan associated with a particular class year, but over the last 10 years it has gone up from about $20k to $30k or so. Payments begin 3 months after graduation by automatic transfer from your checking account at either institution.
For the CU loan, you have to apply in person at the on-Yard branch. I don't believe there is anything on their website. For the other company, application is by phone or on-line. If you are registered online as a 2/C or a 1/C on their site, you will be able to access the portal for the loan and will receive e-vites to apply.
The word gets out when the loans are on the street -- will be sometime in 2012 for '13 folks.
