day, it also began to prepare Cadet candidates for the United States Air Force Academy (1958–1961), the United States Coast Guard Academy (1979–2008, 2016–present) and, Midshipman candidates for the United States Merchant Marine Academy (1991 to 2004). In 2006, The Naval Academy Preparatory School named their newly built dormitory in honor of alumnus Colonel John Ripley. Ripley Hall is located on 440 Meyerkord Avenue in Newport, Rhode Island. Admissions To gain admission to the United States Naval Academy upon graduation, Midshipman Candidates must have a GPA above 2.2, no failing grade in any subject, meet the body fat standards, pass the Physical Readiness Test (PRT), improving or sustained course grades and SAT scores, favorable conduct and honor aptitude, and get a favorable recommendation from the Commanding Officer. Midshipman Candidates who might be below the standard, particularly if they are football players, may still have a chance of admission to USNA. After finals are over, their fate is decided on a day known as Black Monday. Organization The mission of the United States Naval Academy Preparatory School is to enhance midshipman candidates' moral, mental, and physical foundations to prepare them for success at the United States Naval Academy. The student body, which is organized as a battalion, is divided into three companies, which are then divided into two platoons. Each platoon is divided into four squads in order to carry out orders with effective results. While attending NAPS, all midshipman candidates are in active duty military status, holding the rank of Midshipman Candidate, equivalent to the Navy's Seaman Recruit, at the enlisted pay grade of E-1, although this is significantly reduced in an effort to allocate funds into the Battalion Activity Fund (BAF) and to pay off all debts owed due for issued uniforms and miscellaneous items. The BAF is used to pay for physical fitness clothing and equipment, textbooks and various student activity expenses, such as the Army-Navy game, Graduation Ball and the like. A common nickname for a Midshipmen Candidates is "NAPSter". Within the battalion there exists a midshipman candidate led chain of command. The midshipmen candidates holding positions of authority are called "stripers", because they wear collar devices with the number of stripes that are assigned to each position. Stripers are selected by the military staff and serve the term of one marking period, after which they rotate out with new midshipmen candidates. The responsibilities of stripers are: