On May 20, Cadet Youki Susaia Jr. graduated from the United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA) with a Bachelor of Science in Management. At 21 years old, Susaia became the second citizen from the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) to graduate from the USCGA and the third to be accepted into this institution. On May 22, Midshipman Hitoshi Phillip Abello Oue graduated from the United States Naval Academy (USNA) with a Bachelor of Science in Information Technology. Oue is also an FSM citizen and represents the third individual from FSM to graduate and be accepted into the USNA.
The USCGA conducted its first virtual graduation ceremony due to the COVID-19 pandemic, involving 248 graduates, marking it as their largest and most diverse class. During this virtual event, Secretary Kandhi Elieisar of the FSM Department of Foreign Affairs delivered a congratulatory message on behalf of FSM's government to Cadet Susaia. U.S. Ambassador to FSM Carmen G. Cantor and Cadet Susaia’s extended family also shared their congratulations through a Facebook video.
Cadet Susaia expressed gratitude saying, “A big, big thank you to my parents and everyone who supported me in this journey. I couldn’t have done it without them.”
The USNA held five groups of in-person ceremonies from May 15-20, culminating in a virtual graduation where U.S. Secretary of Defense Mark Esper gave a keynote address virtually. Ambassador Carmen G. Cantor along with Midshipman Oue’s family recorded a video message that was shared on U.S. Embassy Kolonia’s Facebook page.
During his time at the Academy, Midshipman Oue participated in the Navy Boxing Club team until his junior year and went on to become Brigade Boxing Champion in the 139lb category after competing against other collegiate boxers.
Midshipman Oue expressed his thanks stating: “I want to thank Clayton and Universe Lawrence and their children, Brenden Yamase, Christopher 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.”
Under the Compact of Free Association between FSM and the United States, FSM can nominate candidates for admission at each U.S. Service Academy including Naval Academy, Air Force Academy, Coast Guard Academy, Army's Military Academy (West Point), and Merchant Marines’ Academy (Kings Point). Nominees must be FSM citizens aged between seventeen and twenty-three years old. Both graduates attended these prestigious schools after completing their studies at Xavier High School in Chuuk, FSM.