2 Outstanding Malaysian Cadets Have Been Accepted Into The US Air Force & Military
Both Ummi and Faidh are excellent in their studies, passionate athletes, and fluent in a foreign language.
By May Vin Ang — 13 Jun 2023, 02:44 PM
Two outstanding Malaysian cadets have been accepted to continue their studies at prestigious military academies in the US
The US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur hosted a send-off ceremony to recognise the cadets and celebrate their admission to the US service academies with their families last Thursday, 8 June.
The successful cadets are Ummi Annur Syahmina Sohaini who will be joining the US Air Force Academy in Colorado and Muhammad Faidh Izzuddin Mat Sahari who is joining the US Military Academy in West Point, New York.
Both the cadets had just recently completed their foundation programmes at the National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM).
"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 McFeeters.
From left to right: US Ambassador to Malaysia Brian McFeeters, Ummi Annur Syahmina Sohaini, Muhammad Faidh Izzuddin Mat Sahari, and Commandant of the Military Training Academy Major-General Datuk Haji Saadon Hasnan.
Image via US Embassy in MalaysiaUmmi and Faidh were chosen after a rigorous selection process that evaluated their leadership potential, physical fitness, and academic achievements
McFeeters said 89 countries were invited to nominate candidates this year, with the goal of accepting only 15 candidates into each of the service academies.
"So, you not only have competition from the US, but also a world [of] competition, and you came through," he added, congratulating the youth.
Since 1971, only 39 Malaysians have graduated from the US service academies.
Ummi, from Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, is only the third Malaysian woman to be admitted to a US service academy
She is the first in her family to enter the service and is highly motivated to become a fighter pilot in the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
According to a statement by the US Embassy, Ummi said her experiences as a woman cadet has inspired her to become a leader who is determined, hardworking, and has mutual respect for individual differences.
She completed her foundation in Engineering Technology, and is currently in her first year studying Operation Research and Data Science at the UPNM with an overall CGPA of 3.7.
Ummi is fluent in German and passionate about sports, and is captain for the university's rugby and cricket team. She hopes to continue playing at the US Air Force Academy.
She is proud that women are slowly making history in the Malaysian Armed Forces, and hopes to contribute to the advancement of women's peace and security when she is commissioned.
Meanwhile, Faidh, from Kuala Lumpur, has grown up listening to his father's stories about the military service since he was a child
After scoring straight As in SPM, he completed his foundation in Medicine at UPNM with an overall CGPA of 3.19.
The US Embassy described Faidh as a student leader, sportsman, and innovator. Besides excelling in his studies, he enjoys experimenting with new ways to do things, and his interest in innovation has led him to win awards, including for making a surface cleaner out of banana peels.
Faidh also speaks French, is active on the track and field, and plays football, hockey, and chess at university. He chose to pursue his studies at West Point as he has always been impressed by the US Armed Forces.
