2 Malaysian Cadets Accepted Into US Air Force And Military Academies
Cadet Ummi will be joining the US Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado while Cadet Faidh will be joining the US Military Academy in West Point, New York.
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Two Malaysian cadets have been accepted to continue their studies at prestigious military academies in the United States.
The US Embassy in Kuala Lumpur hosted a send-off ceremony on 8 June for Cadets Ummi Annur Syahmina and Muhammad Faidh Izzuddin in recognition and celebration of their admission to the US service academies.
The cadets recently graduated from their foundation programmes at the National Defence University of Malaysia (UPNM).
Ummi Annur of Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, will be joining the US Air Force Academy (USAFA) in Colorado while Muhammad Faidh of Kuala Lumpur will be joining the US Military Academy in West Point, New York.
They were chosen after a rigorous selection process that evaluated their leadership potential, physical fitness, and academic achievements.
Cadet Ummi is the third Malaysian woman to be admitted to a US service academy after Sub Lieutenant Janushaa Bala Krishnan Muthiah, a 2022 alumna of the US Naval Academy, and Cadet Grace Sian Ern Hui, who recently graduated from the US Air Force Academy.
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.
US Ambassador to Malaysia Brian D. McFeeters
Cadet Ummi Annur Syahmina binti Sohaini
Cadet Ummi is the first in her family to serve in the military and she aspires to become a fighter pilot in the Royal Malaysian Air Force.
She said her experience as a woman cadet has inspired her to define a “leader” as someone determined, hardworking, and has a mutual respect for individual differences.
She is proud that women are slowly making history in the Malaysian Armed Forces.
Ummi graduated with honours in the Malaysian Certificate of Examination at the age of 13 and completed her foundation in Engineering Technology.
She then studied Operation Research and Data Science at the National Defense University Malaysia with an overall CGPA of 3.7.
She’s fluent in German and passed a German international language test in 2021. She’s also sporty and was the captain of the Rugby Torch Squad and cricket team. She hopes to continue playing at the United States Air Force Academy.
Cadet Muhammad Faidh Izzuddin bin Mat Sahari
Cadet Faidh grew up listening to his father’s stories about the military and his experience attending an in-residence programme at Keesler Air Force Base, Mississippi.
He chose to pursue his studies at West Point since leadership and perspectives of the US Armed Forces impressed him since he was a child.
Upon graduating high school, he was awarded the Gold Award for scoring straight As in the Malaysian Certificate of Education Examination.
Faidh is fluent in French and passed the French DELF exam with an overall CGPA of 3.2. He is also a student leader and innovator.
His interest in innovation has led him to win several awards in innovation competitions. Some of his builds include a customised 4×4 automobile and a surface cleaner made from banana peels.
He is also a sportsman, playing football, hockey, and track and field.
Faidh completed his Foundation in Medical at the National Defense University of Malaysia with an overall CGPA of 3.19.
Military ties between the US and Malaysia go way back
The mission of the US service academies is to provide all cadets with the knowledge and character essential to leadership and the motivation to become career military officers.
This year, 89 countries were invited to nominate their candidates with the goal of only accepting 15 candidates in each of the service academies.
Since 1971, 39 Malaysians have graduated from the US service academies. Recently, Cadet Grace Sian and Midshipman Muhammad Aniq Hilman bin Haslimi graduated from the US Naval Academy and the US Air Force Academy respectively.
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