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ASCC Cum Laude graduate aspires to be a soldier in U.S. Army

June Ifopo on graduation day with family
reporters@samoanews.com

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — If you have ever taken the road near the Veterans Memorial Stadium during early evening hours over the past three years, chances are, you’ve seen La’auli Malotumau Ifopo jogging.

La’auli, known to family and friends as “June”, is one of the 17 locals who took the oath of enlistment and swore-in to the United States Army in a brief ceremony last Thursday at the Konelio Pele Us Army Reserve Center in Tafuna.

June will depart March 30th for basic training in South Carolina before heading out to Alabama for Advanced Individual Training (AIT).

June’s military occupational specialty (MOS) is 15P, Aviation Operations Specialist, meaning he will be tasked with - among other things - scheduling and dispatching tactical aircraft mission details. Soldiers in this specialty are responsible with ensuring that all details of a flight or mission are properly accounted for; and the job may include other tasks such as manifest prepping and maintaining flight logs.

In preparation for Army life, June knew he had to get into shape - both mentally and physically. So he embarked on a health/fitness journey in 2017. His routine included strenuous workouts and a very strict diet. And it has paid off.

In December 2019, June graduated cum laude from the American Samoa Community College (ASCC) where he was also a member of the Phi Theta Kappa Honor Society. He is pictured with his family: sisters Angel and Fi’a, Aunty Pua, and nephew Zeb.

Congratulations June!