Admittance alone into the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) in Annapolis, Maryland is already an achievement in and of itself. The USNA admission is the most selective with an acceptance rate of 9%. Half of the midshipmen have an SAT score somewhere between 1230-1450. A quarter of midshipmen admitted score even higher. To enter, first, you would need to be a cadet at the Philippine Military Academy to qualify, and aim to be one of the top 3 of your plebe class. Second, you should be single, never been married, and around 17-18 years of age. Third, you must be in perfect health, physically and mentally. Fourth, you would need the endorsement of a Philippine government representative. You will go through a battery of physical and written exams. Staying on and keeping up with your class is even harder. Attrition is considerably high in this highly disciplined academy – a full 24% of the class do not make it to graduation, compared to less than 2% in Ivy League schools. After four years in the Naval Academy, the graduates gain the rank of Ensign (ENS). The foreign citizens then go back to their country to serve in their Navy. Here are some of the USNA graduates. They are active and serving in the Philippine Navy and Marine Corps. USNA had developed these former midshipmen in mind, body, and character to lead effectively as Naval officers upon graduation. They were well-trained to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive community of role models, continuous learners, and leaders who develop their units and contribute back to their country and communities.
VADM ALBERT B CARLOS PN
- Cavite City
- Commander, AFP Western Command
- Awards:
- Distinguished Navy Cross,
- 4 Distinguished Service Stars,
- 2 Distinguished Service Medals, and
- a Bronze Cross.
- Gray Eagle Naval Air Pilot
- USNA Class of 1989/PMA 1988
- BS Computer Science
- Graduated with Merit
- Scuba diver and Para jumper
- Authored 4 books:
- The Navy Alexanders (patrol ship acquisition);
- Clear Sky and Green Deck (AW109 acquisition);
- BN Islanders@40 (naval air patrol history); and
- The Logistics of the COVID-19 Pandemic.
CAPT VINCENT J SIBALA PN
- Tacloban City
- Executive Officer, O/J1
- USNA Class of 1993/PMA 1992
- BS Oceanography
- Master in Management Studies (Human Resource Management) in 2006, University of New South Wales.
- Master in Public Management (Development and Security) in 2013, Development Academy of the Philippines.
- Fellow, Defense and Strategic Studies in 2019, Australian Defense College.
- Commander, Navy Personnel Management Center in 2018.
- Commander, Submarine Group in 2016.
- Commander of Philippine Vessels:
- BFP Bonny Serrano (2013-14);
- BRP Salvador Abcede (2014); and
- BRP Gregorio del Pilar (2014-2016)
- Commander of Naval Intelligence and Security Group – Central from 2007 to 2009.
MAJ CARL ROY L CATALAN PN(M)
- Dumaguete City
- Executive Officer, Marine Battalion Landing Team-4
- USNA Class of 2008/PMA 2007
- BS Ocean Engineering
LCDR JOHN AMANDO V BERJUEGA PN
- Bato, Catanduanes
- Central Payroll Management Unit, PN Finance Center
- USNA Class of 2008/PMA 2007
- BS Information Technology
LT CHINNA LOUISE E SALIO PN
- Baguio City-
- Logistics Officer, Presidential Escort Battalion
- PN Aide de Camp to Pres. Duterte
- USNA Class of 2013/ PMA 2012
- BS Economics
LTJG KENDRICK IVAN E SALIO PN
- Baguio City
- Communications Officer, BRP Antonio Luna (FF151)
- USNA Class of 2016/PMA 2015
- BS Systems Engineering
ENS CHARMAINE P BATUY PN
- Cauayan City, Isabela
- Trainee, Fast Attack Interdiction Craft-Missile (FA-IC-M) Acquisition Project, Israel Shipyards Ltd.-
- USNA Class of 2019/PMA 2018
- BS Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
ENS MARY PAULINE M FORNEA PN
- Davao City
- Assistant Communications Officer
- Assistant Electronic Warfare Officer, BRP Jose Rizal (FF150)-
- USNA Class of 2020/PMA 2019
- Graduated with Merit
- BS Weapons, Robotics and Control Engineering, and
- BS Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering
- Distinguished in Marksmanship (rifle and pistol)
ENS DOREEN R LUMACAD PN
- Sultan Naga Dimaporo (SND) Lanao del Norte
- Student, Naval Officer Basic Course 39, Naval Education, Training and Doctrine Command (NETDC), Zambales
- USNA Class of 2021/PMA 2020
- BS Operations Research
Editorial Note: Acknowledgement of appreciation and thanks to LT. Chinna E Louise Salio PN for contributing the information and images needed without which this article would not have been made possible.
