NAPS History

MIDSHIPMAN CANDIDATE SPONSOR PROGRAM
Here is the official NAPS Sponsor site

WHAT IS THE MIDSHIPMAN CANDIDATE SPONSOR PROGRAM?

The Midshipman Candidate Sponsor Program provides students of the Naval Academy Preparatory School an opportunity to develop and benefit from an informal environment with civilians and military members in the Newport Area.

Sponsors make available to Midshipman Candidates a home away from home during their year at the Prep School. For many Midshipman Candidates who may be away from home for their first time, sponsorship can make the difference on their success at NAPS. These young students are able to mature both personally and socially.  Sponsorship can involve providing transportation, sharing home cooked meals and allowing privacy for Midshipman Candidates to nap, study, use the telephone, listen to music or watch a video in a private home away from the base. We have found many sponsors who have developed rewarding and lasting friendships with Midshipman Candidates. Sponsors are invited to sporting events and other activities at the Prep School held throughout the year.

AN OVERVIEW FROM ONE SPONSOR MOM

I have been a sponsor family for the Midshipmen Candidates in Newport for two years. We sponsored two female M/Cs the first year, and four candidates last year, two males and two females. We signed up for the program not knowing what to expect, but hoping that it would be a fun way for us to meet young people at the start of their Navy careers (my husband just retired after 20 years of service, and I am also a Navy veteran.) We have had only positive experiences and would recommend being a sponsor to everyone.

We have found the students to be interesting, fun and respectful. We have opened our home to the students as a "home away from home", and while we have house rules, we have never had a problem with enforcing the rules.

The students come by on the weekends to watch TV, relax, study and spend some time away from the barracks. We try to include them and their friends in family celebrations, holidays and outings. We've enjoyed including them in our "expanded" family. We have also enjoyed meeting their families at Parent's Weekend and at Graduation. We look forward to sponsoring four more students this year.

WHAT CRITERIA ARE USED TO SELECT SPONSORS?

The criteria are simple. A sponsor should live within 25 miles of the Prep School and have a positive attitude about the military. Ideally, military sponsors should hold the rank of E-7 and above to provide insight into what might be expected of a junior officer in the Naval Service. Since the Prep School is looking for sponsors who are willing to open their hearts and homes to a Midshipman Candidate, it would be inconvenient for sponsors to have to travel more than 25 miles.

 WHAT ARE THE STEPS TO BECOME A SPONSOR?           

If you or an interested friend or neighbor would like to become a sponsor, please click here to fill out the sponsor form.  Midshipman Candidates may be requested by name, geographic hometowns, athletic interests or hobbies.  Sponsors will have an excellent opportunity to be with their Midshipman Candidates and perhaps meet his or her parents during Parent’s Weekend.

 HOW MANY MIDSHIPMAN CANDIDATES CAN BE SPONSORED?

            Members of the Newport Community may sponsor as many Midshipman Candidates as they wish.  However, two or more Midshipman Candidates are recommended as they tend to be more relaxed and visit more often when another classmate is present. Five Midshipman Candidates is a recommended maximum.

 WHEN CAN MIDSHIPMAN CANDIDATES SEE THEIR SPONSORS?

            Midshipman Candidates are allowed to depart the Prep School only while on liberty or during authorized leave periods. 

            WEEKLY LIBERTY:  Liberty times vary depending upon the trimester. Generally students have some time off on Saturdays and Sundays. On days of home football games, liberty will begin upon completion of the game.  During three day weekends, such as Columbus Day Weekend, Midshipman Candidates will have liberty from 1630 on Friday through 1800 on Monday.  Additionally base liberty  (inside the gates of NETC) is authorized from 0745 to 1830 daily, when the Midshipman Candidates have a free period or during their meal hours.  Midshipman Candidates may escort their sponsors, parents, guardians, friends etc. to dinner aboard the base or visit on our quarterdeck.

            HOLIDAY LEAVE & LIBERTY:  There are also various leave periods throughout a Midshipman Candidates year at NAPS such as Thanksgiving, Winter Break and Spring Break. 

DEVELOPING A SUCCESSFUL RELATIONSHIP WITH YOUR MIDSHIPMAN CANDIDATE.

          Veteran sponsors provide this advice for all new sponsors--At the very start of the relationship, set up ground rules of the house.  Midshipman Candidates are young adults and are at a formative and impressionable period of their lives.  These ground rules help define expectations, eliminate misunderstandings and establish the foundation for a successful relationship.

            Sponsors frequently ask for regulations governing Midshipman Candidates.  Since Midshipman Candidates are responsible for knowing and obeying Prep School regulations, they can provide sponsors with that information.  Some basic rules and regulations are listed below.

            -Midshipman Candidates will conduct themselves properly at all times, observing the customs and traditions of the Naval Service.

            -Midshipman Candidates must remain in the authorized uniform at all home sporting events.  They are permitted to wear appropriate civilian attire during weekend and liberty hours.

            -Any Midshipman Candidates involvement in potentially hazardous activities such as scuba diving, sky diving etc. need prior approval from the Battalion Officer.

            -Midshipman Candidates  may drive only during authorized leave and liberty hours.

SPONSOR RESPONSIBILITIES

            Sponsors are requested to reinforce the rules listed above which help teach the Midshipman Candidates responsibility.  Sponsors are a vital link in the social development of Midshipman Candidates.  They provide a tie to the local community as well as encouragement, relaxation, food, care and hospitality for the Midshipman Candidates.  By establishing rules of the house, sponsors help Midshipman Candidates grow and mature in a positive environment learning social skills along the way.  The Naval Academy Preparatory School requests that any difficulties or positive comments be reported. Involvement in the program is voluntary and may be terminated at any time.  Sponsors can/will not receive an allowance or reimbursement from the Naval Academy Preparatory School.