Estonian Cadets Accepted at U.S. Military Academies

Two Estonian men will leave June 18 for the United States to attend prestigious military academies on a program funded by the U.S. Department of Defense. On Friday June 13 at 11 a.m., General Johannes Kert will present them with their certificates of acceptance in a ceremony in his office at the Estonian Defense Forces headquarters. Also in attendance will be U.S. Ambassador Lawrence P. Taylor and the U.S. Defense Attache Peter Hendrikson.

Both of the successful Estonian candidates will leave June 18 for 4-year programs of study, after which they will return to service in the Estonian military. Peeter Meos will attend the Air Force Academy in Boulder, Colorado, and Tõnu Mets will attend the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.

This brings the total number of Estonian students studying at the U.S. military academies to eight. The first Estonian cadets admitted will begin their final year of study in September 1997. Including the two newest cadets, the number includes: 2 at the Air Force Academy in Boulder; 3 at the Naval Academy in Annapolis; 2 at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York; and one at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut.

According to U.S. Ambassador to Estonia Lawrence P. Taylor, "I congratulate these two fine officers and wish them success. This program is key to U.S.-Estonian partnership in the defense area and represents an investment in our future relationship. Their colleagues who are already studying in these academies are earning a reputation for excellence."

Estonia's representation in the academies greatly exceeds that of other nations of comparable size. Only 15-20 foreign students from around the world are accepted in any given year at each U.S. service academy. The average cost of education at one of the U.S. military academies is $30,000 per year. Only a limited number of foreign students are admitted under Department of Defense funding.

Successful applicants must complete a rigorous process of testing and interviews, including the American SAT and TOEFL tests. In 1997, there were 47 applications in Estonia, from which the two successful candidates were chosen.