A ceremony to send off two officer cadets was held at the Commander RFMF’s complex HQ RFMF in Suva on Friday 21 June, 2019. It was a historic moment between Fiji and the United States in that for the very first time two Republic of Fiji Military Forces Officer Cadets have been confirmed to attend the prestigious West Point Military Academy.
Established in 1802, West Point or the United States Military Academy has well known alumni’s such as the 34th President of America, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Generals Douglas McArthur and George S. Patton. Also prominent in this list is Buzz Aldrin, American engineer and former astronaut and fighter pilot. He and Neil Armstrong were the first two humans to set foot on the Moon surface during the July 1969 Apollo 11 mission.
Previously, promising young officer cadets have been selected from among their peers to complete Officer Cadet training with Military Academies in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.
Officer Cadets (OCDT) Max Delai 21 years of Vione Gau and Sera Lewaravu 20 years of Magodro Ba were the successful candidates from 100 that began the Officer Selection Course since January this year. They had undergone 13 weeks Basic Recruit course and were continuing with Officer Selection Course when the news came of their successful selection from the U.S. Embassy.
Representing the government of Fiji is the Permanent Secretary Defence and National Security, Mr. Manasa Lesuma. Chief of Staff RFMF, Captain (Navy) John Fox on behalf of the Commander RFMF, congratulated the two and wished them well.
Also in attendance were the Director Human Resource Management, Colonel Litea Seruiratu; Chief of Staff Land Forces, Lieutenant Colonel Vatimio Leva; Director of International Defence Cooperation, Lieutenant Colonel Daunivakasala Ravunakana and Commandant Officers Training School (OTS), Lieutenant Colonel Avinesh Kumar.
“This is an important milestone for Fiji, in that for the first time, two cadets will be attending the prestigious military academy,” Capt (Navy) Fox said.
The U.S. Embassy were represented by Chargé D’Affaires Michael Goldman and Commander Constantine Panayiotou. Mr. Goldman said, “We had dozens of very qualified candidates…. And how exceptionally honored the government of the United States is [in having the two].”
OCDT’s Delai and Lewaravu who will be leaving the country in a week’s time were given their certificates of confirmation and West Point t-Shirts in the historic occasion.
OCDT Delai said, “As a child I’ve always been keen of being a pilot in the military, this was after my aunt had a vision of me flying an air force aircraft. And the initiative of joining the military expanded after undergoing cadet training back in QVS. So…it was always a dream, and I’m grateful for this opportunity.”
