KUALA LUMPUR: From Malaysia to the elite halls of West Point and Annapolis, two young Malaysians are charting a course into the United States’ premier military academies, turning years of ambition and passion into major achievements.
Luthfil Haikal Haswadi and Rakis Ruhaim Abdul Rahman have earned coveted places at the US Military Academy in New York and the US Naval Academy in Maryland, respectively.
For 19-year-old Luthfil, it all began with a spark. Raised in Dungun, Terengganu, his interest in military history, strategy and geopolitics ignited at just 12.
He devoured books on war and revolutionary technology, eventually setting his sights on West Point.
That vision shaped his path through school, where he earned 9A+s in SPM, emerged as valedictorian at MRSM Pendang, received the MRSM Academic Excellence Award 2023 and achieved a flawless 4.0 CGPA in foundation studies in Engineering and Technology.
He even turned down an offer from Japan’s National Defence Academy to pursue what he called a “deeper dream” at West Point.
Now a first-year cadet studying Operations Research and Data Science at Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia, Luthfil also stays active through football, swimming, kayaking and national-level debating.
Despite the demands of a military education so far from home, Luthfil says he is ready for the challenge.
“No, I’m excited,” he said yesterday. “My father was transferred to Saudi Arabia, and I lived there for about nine years, so I’m used to navigating different cultures and backgrounds.”
For Rakis, the journey to Annapolis was forged through discipline, sports and international training.
A Royal Military College graduate and football captain, Rakis shone both on and off the field.
He collected accolades in sports and public speaking, and earned a spot at Germany’s Mürwik Naval Academy, where his training included sailing the North Atlantic aboard the training ship Gorch Fock and joining NATO operations on the FGS Bonn in the Mediterranean.
Rakis secured a 3.80 CGPA in his foundation studies in Engineering and Technology, and is now preparing to take on the rigours of Annapolis as a midshipman.
“I’ll miss my family for sure, but I’m not doing this just for me. It’s for them too,” he said.
Both cadets were celebrated during a ceremony at the US Ambassador to Malaysia’s official residence yesterday, where Ambassador Edgard D. Kagan presented their official certificates of appointment and applauded them for embodying discipline, service and cooperation.
“These young cadets represent the future of our nations. Their selection is a testament to the enduring US-Malaysia Comprehensive Partnership, especially in the areas of defence and security,” he said.
Also present was Mej Jen Datuk Reizal Arif Ismail, the Malaysian Armed Forces’ Assistant Chief of Staff of Personnel Services.
The ambassador also honoured Officer Cadet Mohamad Khairel Adha Mohd Khairee, a recent graduate of the US Air Force Academy and one of 40 Malaysians to complete training at US military academies since 1971.
Many go on to serve in senior leadership positions and contribute to regional and global peacekeeping efforts, strengthening not only military cooperation but also the bonds between the two nations.
