“It really opened my eyes to what a day in the life here is like,“ said Midshipman candidate Gabriel Acevedo.

In their four-day visit, the candidates received tours of the academic and military facilities at the Academy. They were also paired up with a Midshipman sponsor, whom they shadowed during regular classes and athletic activities.

“I really enjoyed being with the Mid I was paired with,“ said Acevedo. “He helped show me how Academy life works here.“

When not with their sponsors the candidates toured the Yard to view the many historic buildings that make up the Academy campus, including Nimitz, Preble and Rickover Halls. During their tours, faculty and staff took them around each building, showing them the highlights of the different academic departments they will be a part of while at the Academy.

‘‘All of the students were excited to get to the Academy and see how things really operate here,” said Chief Machinist’s Mate (SW) Bill Leikam, senior enlisted leader at NAPS. ‘‘Seeing the Academy and gaining an understanding of why they’re at NAPS preparing to come here has really motivated them.”

The candidates also received briefs about the facilities and programs available to them and information about applying for the Academy.

For most of the candidates, the trip helped dissolve preconceptions of the Academy, showing them firsthand what to expect. For Acevedo, it was beneficial to his decision for his future.

“This is a lot different than NAPS,“ said Acevedo. He added that being with the Midshipmen and hearing what they had to say about their experience so far at the Academy helped him feel less intimidated by it.

Acevedo said that he was impressed with a lot of the facilities, such as the Oceanography Department’s tow tank that they use to run various tests on mock ship hulls.

“The experience I’ve had so far is unlike any other,“ said Acevedo.

Candidates at NAPS are there on a volunteer basis and have made no commitment to the military. The experience there helps the candidates prepare for military life and find out if that kind of environment is what they really want.

To that end, the candidates also took tours of the Yard Patrol craft, gaining firsthand experience on the training that is vital to the development of a junior officer. They met and interacted with enlisted Sailors as well.

At one point, Liekam said, the candidates were approached by members of the Class of 1969 who were at the Academy for their 30th reunion and speaking with them made a strong impression on the students.

‘‘Realizing how large the Academy family is increased their level of pride in becoming part of that family,” said Liekam. ‘‘They are definitely motivated by seeing that kind of camaraderie and can’t wait to get here.”

Committing to military service is a big step, and one of the goals of NAPS is to provide candidates with as much information as possible so that they can make an informed decision. The experience they received in their four-day visit to the Academy is a large part of the preparatory experience.