BARCLAY TRAINING CENTER, Monrovia: Cadet Scott Amos Collins departs Liberia for the prestigious West Point Military Academy in the United States of America on Friday, 23 June 2017 as part of the academy’s class of 2021.

As the first Liberian in 29 years to attend West Point, Collins’s admission qualifies him for a four-year degree in addition to military regimentation.  He was selected out of 151 Liberians who applied and is one of 13 international nominees from 161 countries to gain admission. Upon completion, Collins will be commissioned as a Junior Officer in the Armed Forces of Liberia.

As a precursor to his upcoming West Point training, Cadet Collins, successfully completed the preliminary Officer Candidate School (OCS) conducted by the AFL.

Counseling cadet Collins ahead of his departure from Liberia, Liberia’s Defense Minister, Honorable Brownie J. Samukai, said, “You are going as a representative of your Country, and not as an ordinary individual. Hold on to the encouragement of your friend as your source of strength.” The Minister also congratulated the parents of Collins for their support to the young chap and for allowing him to set forth on his military journey.

By 2021, Scott Amos Collins will become the third Liberian, joining the ranks of Madison Tokpa and Fombah Sirleaf, to be trained by the West Point Military Academy which teaches graduates to become leaders.