NOLS is something USNA allows midshipmen to do as a summer block, but it's not a part of official USNA summer training curriculum. We have had 4 sponsor sons/daughters do it, and they stated it was worth every penny in terms of the leadership development, personal maturation and unforgettable adventure factor. It is very expensive, and will be out of the reach of many mids, so it's a nice thing to do, but not critical to their status at USNA.