That sense of superiority usually only exists during Plebe Summer where, truly, the NAPS graduates have an initial upperhand. But that is only in things like standing at attention, saluting, marching, rifle handling and making their rack. Those are things that are easily learned by a monkey. Their advantage is short-lived.
All that ends when Plebe Summer ends and the academic year begins. That's when the most NAPS graduates discover, much to their chagrin, why they went to NAPS in the first place.
The truth of the matter is this: for the most part, NAPS is a repository for athletes. The non-recruits who attend NAPS are there, mostly, so as to mask the fact that it is primarily an athletic repository.
The pool of candidates is far too superior to justify sending a non-recruit to NAPS. They are just token, for the most part.
Yep, and that oh-so-truth pains alot of persons invested in the NAPS myth. As you've noted, the relative handful that cannot be linked to athletics or minority priority recruitment and could not be appointed directly and may not have been able to garner a nomination serve to camouflage and allow for some argument. There is good reason that the stats are not widely publicized.
And while it does not have applicability for any specific Napster, the Yard rap is that collectively they well serve to boost the curve for non-Napsters. There are few and none majoring in chem, aero, naval architecture, etc. nor graduating with distinction nor merit. Anyone thinking that an extra year in an amateurish prep school program for calc and chem is gonna dramatically enhance the learning capacities is delusional.
This is about 2 things ... stock piling jocks in a defacto red-shirting program and enabling USNA to control and appoint those who'd stand virtually and literally no chance of appointment to USNA. And #2 is control by USNA, literally circumventing the requirements, expectations, and political realities of the traditional appointment.
No offense intended. Just telling it like it is. We might all wish differently and understandably.
But for those sufficiently blessed with a NAPS offer, my counsel is ALWAYS ALWAYS ALWAYS ACCEPT before it can be rescinded and receive it as one of the greatest, best gifts God will ever give them. For with but one year of nothing more than one year of nothing more than average among a cadre of below average performers, they will have a free ticket to one of the greatest institutions and fraternities in the world. Can't be beat!
btw, NAPS and the Foundation programs are TOTALLLY different beasts with fully different objectives and outcomes.
and btw#2 ... there are a fair number of appointments out of the Fleet who forego the NAPS thing. I know 3, all of whom were advised, AVOID NAPS as it will not serve you. All did well.
And btw #3, whatever the current "company line" is on required gpa, it is common knowledge that the 1.8 was fully sufficient for at least one star NAPSters admit to the main campus.