Lebanese Cadet Accepted into U.S. Air Force Academy, Two Cadets to Attend U.S. Naval Academy for First Time in History

On May 18, 2010, U.S. Ambassador to Lebanon Michele J. Sison congratulated LAF Commander General Jean Kahwaji at his office in Yarze on the acceptance of three LAF cadets into the U.S. Air Force Academy (USAFA) and the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA). Lebanon was invited by the U.S. Secretary of Defense to nominate Lebanese military cadets to apply for admission into the U.S. military service academies. In a first for Lebanon, Lebanese cadet Oliver Sfeir from Zouk Mikhael was accepted into the USAFA and will join his fellow cadets this fall at the Academy’s campus in Colorado. In another first for Lebanon, two Lebanese cadets were accepted to the USNA, a program that usually only accepts one cadet per country. John Karam and Bahaa Joudieh will enroll in at the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland later this year.

The three cadets were offered admission into the academies based on their academic record, physical training, English language skill, and a personal interview. Ambassador Sison congratulated the LAF on this historic accomplishment for Lebanon: "Our United States military academies have a long tradition of excellence, helping train not only future American military leaders, but the future leaders of our friends and allies. These three young men will learn things you won't find in any classroom. They will learn how to push themselves to the limits. They will develop strength and character as a human being. We are proud of their accomplishments thus far, and know that we expect continued excellence as they represent the best of Lebanon while studying in the United States."