When is the NER leadership academy, and isn't it a substitute for cadet officer school?
As far as I've seen and heard, no firm dates have been set up. I have generally seen the dates being set up relatively late in the summer though.
There is no substitute for actually going to and experiencing all of COS. However, a Region Cadet Leadership School is considered an equivalent as one of the prequisites for the Eaker Award. The others of course being COS and AFIDL 13.