Filipina graduates from prestigious US Naval Academy with high honors

Kris Otliong / CONTRIBUTED

ANNAPOLIS – The Philippine Navy’s newest ensign, Kris Otiong, has graduated from the United States Naval Academy (USNA) in Annapolis, Maryland – whose alumni include former President Jimmy Carter and the late Senator John McCain.

Otiong is the latest addition to the prestigious list of Filipino USNA graduates, underscoring the enduring and robust relationship between the United States and the Philippines.

The USNA, a top-rated public college in the United States, has produced leaders in the US government and military sectors – including US Cabinet members, state governors, ambassadors, secretaries of the US Navy, commandants of the Marine Corps – and Nobel Prize winners.

Kris Otlong (center) / CONTRIBUTED

Kris hails from the province of  Rizal and is the daughter of Julie Otiong, a retired senior special operations sergeant in the Philippine Army, and Bernadette Otiong, an accountant. The military ethos of duty and service to country was instilled in her at a young age.

This foundation led  Kris to join the Philippine Military Academy (PMA) in 2019, where she was a member of the PMA Class of 2023.

During her first year at the PMA, Kris successfully hurdled the highly competitive USNA entrance exams.

Kris Otiong (right) / CONTRIBUTED

Her four years at USNA were marked by outstanding academic and military achievements. Kris consistently landed on the dean’s and commandant’s lists for academic and military excellence.

This recognition has been achieved by only a select few, culminating in her inclusion on the superintendent’s list. She earned high honors for her major in cyber warfare and national security, receiving special recognition at the graduation awards ceremony.

Kris is set to report to the Philippine Navy in a few weeks, where her expertise in cyber warfare will be a significant asset.

Ensign Otiong’s achievement not only highlights her dedication and academic excellence but also serves as a symbol of the strong and enduring partnership between the United States and the Philippines, fostering mutual growth and security in an increasingly complex global landscape.

After four years in the Naval Academy, the graduates gain the rank of ensign. USNA foreign graduates are well-trained to cultivate a vibrant and inclusive community of role models, continuous learners and leaders who contribute back to their country and communities.