NAPS generally takes a lot of walk ins to help round out rosters and have enough folks for practice. And yes, NAPS team mates are very close. I remember many NAPS walk ons trying to walk on at USNA, not as great success. With NAPS and directs, you basically have two recruiting classes for many sports each year. Not saying it can’t be done, but it is a challenge. Plus USNA has so many other sports at various levels. Each Mid finds their path and their people.
Can’t speak to what it’s like to be a year older, but I can tell you as a direct entry admit, you can see the difference during PS and initially into the Ac Year. It really does start to even put about this time each ac year though. The advantage NAPSters have in that year is learning study habits, how to time manage, and learning to be away from home. As Plebes settle into the Ac Year, the difference starts to fade. It’s a great program and anyone who gets chosen for this path, should take it. I asked to go to NAPS and got told no. I nearly failed our Plebe Year. I believe if I had that year, I would not have struggled nearly like I did. But it all worked out and I figured out the system and graduated.
