I have so much respect for those kids that persevere and receive appointments on their second or third try. I am a HUGE fan of all the service academies and am blessed and proud to have three kids that earned multiple appointments and attended.
All of them were lucky and succeeded on the first go round. They had friends however that didn't. One young man went ROTC instead, and now is a major, while my son who commissioned at USNA on schedule is still a captain. There are different routes to the same objective.
I do believe a bird in the hand is worth two in the bush. The kids that are disappointed now, and went on to plan B may just fall in love with it.
My concern would be that enduring an extra year of apps, nomination interviews, early actions, lack of notifications, etc and not being selected on the second try would be disheartening once again. Such a trying and grueling process.
No 18 year old really knows "X is the place for me." They think it is, and it may be. Until they are immersed in it, they won't really know. 300 plus kids on average from each class at the biggies won't make it.
Appointments to the academies are becoming increasingly hard for high achieving students to earn, as the competition is fierce and the allotments for several sectors of applicants have grown. There are no guarantees when it comes to applying, or reapplying.
Anyway, good luck to them all. I hope they truly love their plan B, and that it works out for the best.