CADET Officer Latu Vaha'i (24), of the Tonga Defence Services graduated with a Bachelor of Science from the prestigious United States Military Academy, West Point in New York in May.

Latu is the first Tongan to graduate from West Point after undergoing four years of military and academic studies.

At a Press Conference at Sene, the TDS headquarters yesterday, June 14 Latu talked about the great opportunity the academy offers in military training and the academic studies. Westpoint is a great opening for young Tongans, he said.

Cadet Officer Latu Vaha'i is designated to be commissioned as a Second Lieutenant by King George Tupou V soon.

Lieutenant Commander Solomone Savelio commended the cadet officer's achievement and the fact that he had represented the TDS and Tonga well.

He added that Latu Vaha'i's achievement is a testament to what Tongans can accomplish if they are given the opportunities.

WestPoint

West Point trains more United States Army officers than any other institution, and a high proportion of distinguished American generals are West Point graduates.

Annually over 1,000 applicants are accepted into West Point from over 100 countries.

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