Anton Kononuchenko signed a contract, became a serviceman, trained in the United States, and now, with an international-level diploma, is successfully building his career as an officer in the Maritime Guard of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.

His story was featured on “Unified News” in an Inter segment.

Anton studied programming and planned an IT career. When he received a summons, he decided to sign a contract. He chose service at sea because he loved the maritime domain. He served almost a year as a signal sailor.

Anton says that sea missions hardened him and transformed him from a civilian into a soldier.

“The youthful desire to whine or suffer disappears. There’s no time for that. It’s simple: either you adapt and harden, or you suffer. And nobody wants to suffer”, — he said.

His abilities were noticed by the leadership. He passed the selection to study at the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, spending four years in Connecticut. His training involved a lot of theory, sports, military preparation, and maritime practice on a sailing ship.

“There we were taught primarily as NATO-standard officers who later return home to their countries and share the experience we gained in the United States — like U.S. officers”, — he added.

He received degrees in public administration and international relations. His diploma was personally awarded by U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris in May 2022. The man returning to a Ukraine engulfed in full-scale war received a standing ovation.

“I can say for sure: having earned a degree in the U.S., I am 100% confident that I will not get lost in this world”, — Anton said.

In the Maritime Guard, he received the rank of senior lieutenant and now serves as an officer in the social support sector. He works with servicemen, veterans, and the families of POWs, the fallen, and the missing.

The Maritime Guard notes this is one example of how a military career can develop when duty and professional self-realization come together.

“If you see yourself as an officer, see yourself connected to the Maritime Guard and the sea, and want to contribute everything possible and impossible to our victory, you can gain a profession, build a career, obtain a position, and then apply your experience in higher leadership roles. The main thing is to want it — to take that first step”, — said Serhiy Brovko, assistant to the head of the regional Maritime Guard directorate.