Guyana Defence Force’s (GDF) Orwin Matthew Austin, is to wing out to begin studies at the United States Coast Guard Academy.

Second Lieutenant (2ndLt) Austin, is one of only six international students who have been selected to attend the Academy’s Class of 2024, through the US Embassy’s Security Cooperation Office, according to a release from the embassy here..

The young officer’s selection is a testament to his excellent academic potential, as well as the continuous and steadfast assistance provided by the US military to the GDF, the release stated, as it offered congratulations to Lt Austin.

The United States Coast Guard Academy which is based in New London, Connecticut, is a top military service academy of the United States Coast Guard. Founded in 1876, it is the smallest of five U.S. service academies and provides education to future Coast Guard officers, granting Bachelor of Science degrees in one of nine engineering or professional major fields of study.

Austin and 23 others, comprised the newest batch of Second Lieutenants to have successfully completed the Standard Officer Course Number 51 conducted by the GDF. The June 25, 2020 presentation ceremony was held in the GDF Base Camp Ayanganna, Conference Room, Thomas Land, on account of COVID-19 considerations. Commander-in-Chief, President David Granger, who addressed to the newly commissioned officers, via video message, urged that they uphold the oath they have sworn to, as well as adhere to the core values of Duty, Discipline, Identity, Integrity and Loyalty.