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Three New Lithuanian Cadets At U.S. Military Academies This Year

June 15, 2004

Today at 4.30 p.m. the American Center in Vilnius Ambassador Stephen Mull will present certificates of appointment to three young Lithuanians to attend three different United States Military Academies.

The three cadets were selected from among 11 other Lithuanians and thousands of other international applicants who sought admission to these prestigious Military Academies.    They include a cadet in the class of 2008 at the United States Military Academy at West Point, a midshipman in the class of 2008 at the United States Coast Guard Academy in Connecticut, and a member of the class of 2008 at the United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. All three will depart for the United States within the next two weeks.  

The three will join nine other Lithuanians that are currently attending all four US Service Academies. There are currently seven Lithuanians serving in the Lithuanian Armed Forces who received Commissions from the US Service Academies over the last 4 years.   These appointments come with a five-year service obligation to their country upon graduation in 2008.  

The U.S. places a $200,000 value on the four-year training programs for Cadets and Midshipmen in order to grant them a bachelor’s degree upon graduation.  In addition to Academic training Cadets and Midshipmen can compete as members on the Service Academy athletic teams.  During the summer months they also participate in military training exercises, travel abroad programs and other international programs.   

In September of 2004 the Government of Lithuania and the United States Embassy will announce application and enrollment procedures for prospective candidates to attend these prestigious military academies beginning in June of 2005.  Applicants must be in their last year of secondary school or be a graduate of secondary school, in good physical condition.