KUALA LUMPUR: Four Malaysian cadets have made the nation proud after being accepted into three prestigious United States (US) service academies for their class of 2026.
This would be the highest number of cadets accepted from Malaysia since 2017.
Edlan Mikyad Ahmad Syamly will head to the prestigious US Military Academy at West Point in New York, while Zarif Mohd Zamrin will attend the distinguished US Air Force Academy in Colorado. Both cadets, aged 20 years old, graduated from Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM).
The other two cadets were Muahamad Danish Imran Zainuddin and Qarin Lokman Safriza who will pursue their training at the renowned US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland. Both cadets, who turned 18 this year, were former Royal Military College students.
All four cadets are the first in their respective families to serve in the military. They will report for training at their respective academies this month.
Chargé d'affaires of the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur, Michael Newbill, said 36 Malaysians have graduated from US service academies since 1971– one of the highest international attendances for American military academies in the world.
As for the class of 2026, Newbill said 69 countries were invited to nominate candidates, and the goal was to enrol 15 international candidates in each of the service academies.
However, only less than 20 per cent of international applicants entered the service academies.
"The selection process is very rigorous and competitive; candidates are evaluated on their academic performance, physical aptitude, character, and leadership potential.
"So, these four young men have earned their position based on merit. From the day they started studying, every year, they made the cut again and again, and have reached the pinnacle of their academic performance.
"Five Malaysian cadets are currently undergoing training at US service academies, including one in the military academy, and two each, in the naval and air force academies.
"Two Malaysian cadets - Putra Nadeem Damanhuri Ahmad Damanhuri and Janushaa Bala Krishnan Muthiah - graduated from our service academies recently. Janushaa is also the first Malaysian woman to graduate from a US service academy," he told reporters, during a send-off ceremony hosted by the US Embassy to Kuala Lumpur.
The ceremony, held at the US Ambassador's official residence, here, today, was also attended by Major General Datuk Zaidan Atan, the Assistant Chief of Staff, Defence Operation and Training of the Malaysian Armed Forces.
Newbill said the US service academies allocated 60 slots for international cadets for the Class of 2026.
"Malaysia usually secured three placements at most in the previous years. However, this year, the country managed to get two placements in the US naval academy.
"The cadets will undergo a four-year rigorous training programme. Part of their training will also focus on non-traditional security challenges, such as climate change and food security," he said.