SINGAPORE – Lieutenant (LTA) Jonathan Loh of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has made history by graduating as the valedictorian of the United States Air Force Academy. This achievement makes him the first Singaporean in nearly 30 years to earn this distinction, following retired Colonel Low Chung Guan in 1995.
The prestigious academy offers a rigorous four-year program that combines character and leadership development, military training, and athletics. During the graduation ceremony on May 30, LTA Loh proudly waved the Singapore flag in front of US Vice President Kamala Harris. In addition to being named valedictorian, he received 10 awards from the academy.
Speaking during an interview on June 7, LTA Loh, a graduate of Beatty Secondary School and St Andrew’s Junior College, expressed his surprise at the achievement. “I’ve never been number one at anything before,” he shared. For him, being the best was not an obligation but the result of hard work and dedication. He also recalled a motivational quote from the academy’s principal: “If you see a turtle on a fencepost, you know it didn’t get there by itself.”
LTA Loh described the academy as a highly competitive institution, with thousands of applicants each year. Of the 974 cadets in his cohort, only 15 were international students. His days were packed with demanding schedules, including seven to eight hours of classes and two hours of military training. Time management was his biggest challenge, with endless academic tasks competing for his attention. Despite this, he learned to set boundaries and focus on nurturing friendships and maintaining a balanced life.
Beyond his achievements at the academy, LTA Loh’s journey has been marked by resilience. His mother, who strongly supported his education and future, passed away in 2011 when he was in sixth grade. Her passing became a driving force for him to excel, though he often wished she could witness his milestones, such as receiving the Scouts Association’s Chief Commissioner’s Award and excelling in Basic Military Training.
Following his mother’s death, his father remarried, and both his father and stepmother have been present at key moments in his life, including his recent graduation. However, his mother’s memory remains alive, symbolized by a photo he keeps in his wallet, accompanied by three core values: “Be kind and caring, work hard, and honor God.”
LTA Loh sees this achievement not as an endpoint but as the beginning of an exciting career. Currently a pilot trainee at the Air Force Training Command, he is proud and honored to represent Singapore on the global stage. His determination and values serve as an inspiration to the younger generation in Singapore.
