It’s not entirely surprising to hear news about Malaysians being accepted into the US Army. Previously, Pahang-born Janushaa Bala Krishnan Muthiah broke a record for being the first Malaysian to finish her studies at the US Naval Academy.
Prior to that, former Malaysian actress Sarah Hildebrand announced that she joined the US Air Force shortly after migrating to the States. Recently, it was reported that 2 more Malaysians will be joining the US military academies. Here are their stories:
Two Malaysian cadets, Ummi Annur Syahmina and Muhammad Faidh Izzuddin have been accepted to further their studies at prestigious military academies in the US. Recently, the US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur held a send-off ceremony for the two cadets in celebration of their admission to their preferred academies. According to The Rakyat Post, they were both chosen based on their leadership potential, physical fitness, and academic achievements.
“These cadets represent our shared future, prosperity, and security. I am confident Ummi and Faidh will continue to forge the path ahead for other young leaders,” said US Ambassador to Malaysia Brian D. McFeeters during the ceremony. It was said that both of them recently graduated from their foundation programmes at the National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM).
As for which academy the two Malaysian have been accepted to enroll in, Ummi will be furthering her studies at the US Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado, making her the third Malaysian woman to be accepted to a US service academy after Sub Lieutenant Janushaa Bala Krishnan Muthiah, as aforementioned. Muhammad Faidh will be joining the US Military Academy in West Point, New York.
According to her profile posted on the official US Embassy website, Ummi Annur is actually the first in her family to serve in the military and has dreams of becoming a fighter pilot in the Royal Malaysian Air Force. The Negeri Sembilan-born said that her experiences as a woman cadet have inspired her to define a “leader” as someone who is determined, hardworking, and has mutual respect for individual differences.
As for Muhammad Faidh, he was inspired to join the army after hearing his father’s stories of his experience in attending an in-residence program at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi. In his profile, he revealed that the leadership and perspectives of the U.S. Armed Forces led him to pursue his studies at West Point.
Congratulations to the two Malaysians on their admissions to the US military academies. May their dreams come true one day and make our country proud!
Sources: TheRakyatPost, US Embassy KL
