Georgian graduates of US Coast Guard Academy receive diplomas from president Biden
Sandro Stazhadze (left) and Nikoloz Tvildiani received their diplomas from President Biden, with Georgian coast guard and border police chiefs in attendance. Photo via Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia.
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Two employees of the Coast Guard Department of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Georgia received graduation diplomas of the United States Coast Guard Academy from none other than US president Joe Biden on Wednesday.
Nikoloz Tvildiani and Sandro Stazhadze were two of only seven international students honoured with graduation in New London, Connecticut on Wednesday, as Biden and military brass congratulated 240 new officers with the successful conclusion of their courses.
The two Georgian students had been studying at the academy over the last four years, after they were granted the only spots for Georgian entrants in a "challenging" selection, the interior ministry said. Their selection marked the ministry's first participation in the selection for the American military school.
The two cadets received their diplomas in the ceremony from Biden, with Georgian border police chief Colonel Nikoloz Sharadze and Coast Guard Department director Captain 1st Rank Ramaz Papidze in attendance.
Congratulations graduates! The Academy graduated 240 new officers along with seven international students today. ????????????????????????????????
— U.S. Coast Guard Academy (@USCGAcademy) May 19, 2021
Our newest officers will begin to serve as leaders in a variety of operational roles throughout the #CoastGuard, mostly on cutters. @USCG @ComdtUSCG @DHSgov pic.twitter.com/K6h4wGoPZV
Beside Stazhadze and Tvildiani, the ceremony saw foreign students from the Philippines and Sri Lanka graduate along with their American counterparts.
The US Coast Guard Academy was established in 1876, with graduates receiving a bachelor's degree before joining the US Coast Guard as ensigns for five years.