Filipino Cadet Ryanna Alyanna Flores and Cadet Nilo Angelo Arribas have joined a Coast Guard training program initiated by the United States Coast Guard Academy (USCGA), in New London, Connecticut as part of the USCGA’s Class of 2028.
On their Reporting-In “R” Day for Swab Summer, 297 newly reported cadets or swabs completed their administrative processing and had their swearing-in ceremony as cadets of the United States of America with USCGA’s Superintendent, Rear Admiral Michael Johnston USCG.
The Swab Summer is a seven-week rigorous military training that marks the start of their four-year cadetship in the Academy. Flores and Arribas were among the eight chosen international cadets of the USCGA in its International Cadetship Program, which aids in promoting cooperation between national governments and maritime organizations. Vince Lopez
Aside from the Philippines, other countries represented by the eight international cadets are the Republic of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Republic of Honduras, the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan, and the Marshall Islands.
Before the start of their swab summer, these international cadets reported a week earlier for their acclimatization and orientation through the Respect and Inclusion Summer Experience (RISE) Program of the Academy.
Upon graduation, Flores and Arribas will be commissioned into the Philippine Coast Guard as regular Coast Guard officers with the rank of Ensign and render at least eight continuous years of service to the Philippine Coast Guard.
