Agreed. And perhaps I misread the arguments of others.
Well, individuals have their own ideas, so I'm not sure.
Personally, I think of something along the lines of the later part of "Space Cadet" were the cadets are senior level and out on an apprentice cruise. They function within the chain of command, if at the low end, and have tasks aboard the ship. It could start out on Earth, but then move to other worlds, within the Federation, at different stages of colonization or recovery after a war (Romulan, Dominion, Cardassian, depending on the era).
I honestly don't think that Starfleet cadets are treated in the same way as contemporary military cadets. I think that the training is more specialized, but since cadets don't need to work their way through school, have more time to devote to their specializations.
Regardless, I do imagine a Captain PIke-esque senior instructor being the mentor character that the cadets report to, as well as department heads. But, the cadets also work together since they are the new kids on the block.
Just random thoughts, but that's my concept.