On May 20, Cadet Youki Susaia Jr. graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) with a Bachelor of Science in Management. Susaia, 21, is the second citizen from the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) to graduate from the USCGA and the third to be accepted into the prestigious school. Midshipman Hitoshi Phillip Abello Oue graduated from the United States Naval Academy (USNA) with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology on May 22. Oue, 21 is also an FSM citizen and the third citizen to graduate and have been accepted into the USNA.
Due to the COVID-19 global pandemic, the USCGA held their first virtual graduation with 248 graduates, the largest and most diverse graduating class. During the virtual graduation, Secretary Kandhi Elieisar, FSM Department of Foreign Affairs delivered a congratulatory message to Cadet Susaia on behalf of the government of the FSM. U.S. Ambassador to the FSM Carmen G. Cantor and Cadet Susaia’s extended family also sent a Facebook video congratulating Cadet Susaia.
“A big, big thank you to my parents and everyone who supported me in this journey. I couldn’t have done it without them” said Cadet Susaia.
The USNA also held five groups of in-person ceremonies on May 15-20 and concluded with a virtual graduation ceremony with U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper delivering a virtual keynote address. Ambassador Carmen G. Cantor and Midshipman Oue’s family also recorded a video message that was posted on U.S. Embassy Kolonia’s Facebook page.
While attending the Academy, Mid-Shipman Oue participated in the Navy Boxing Club team during his freshmen to junior year. He later became Brigade Boxing Champion in the 139lb category, competing against other collegiate boxers in the tournament.
“I want to thank Clayton and Universe Lawrence and their children, Brenden Yamase, Chrisopher Alfonso, Jamie and Veronica Pangelinan Amor who were living abroad during my time at the Naval Academy and made me feel a lot closer to home,” said Midshipman Oue.
Under the Compact of Free Association, the F.S.M. may nominate candidates to compete for admission at each of the U.S. Service Academies: the Naval Academy, the Air Force Academy, the Coast Guard Academy, the U.S. Army’s Military Academy (West Point), and Merchant Marines’ Academy (Kings Point). The nominees must be FSM citizens between the ages of seventeen and twenty-three. Both students enrolled in the prestigious schools after graduating from Xavier High School in Chuuk, FSM.